White Plains, N.Y.-based Heineken USA is asking drinkers to see past the trimmings, open a cold Heineken and Celebrate What’s Inside, during the upcoming holiday season, it says. The new national program features TV spots, social media and a limited-edition Magnum (1.5-liter) bottle to share with friends and family, it adds.

The Bardstown Bourbon Co. (BBCo), Bardstown, Ky., announced that Grain & Barrel Spirits, the maker of pre-prohibition brand Chicken Cock Whiskey, has joined BBCo’s Collaborative Distilling Program. Grain & Barrel will work with BBCo to produce custom bourbon and whiskey for the Chicken Cock brand, which dates back to 1856. BBCo and Grain & Barrel concluded their first distillation of 616 barrels at the end of August.

Patrón Tequila, a brand of Hamilton, Bermuda-based Bacardi Ltd., launched Gran Patrón Smoky, which uses agave that is roasted with mesquite for about seven days in small underground stone pits to craft the artisanal tequila. Gran Patrón Smoky honors traditional production methods dating back hundreds of years, it says. Like all Patrón Tequila, the process for Gran Patrón Smoky begins with the high-quality, 100 percent Weber Blue Agave.

William Grant & Sons Ltd., North Lanarkshire, United Kingdom, announced a global brand refresh which includes new packaging and a renaming of its signature blend, a refined portfolio and a new direction for its communication’s campaign, the company says.

PepsiCo Inc., Purchase, N.Y., announced the launch of its Nutrition Greenhouse accelerator program in North America, an innovation initiative designed to discover and support emerging brands in the food and beverage sector. The North American program follows the launch of PepsiCo's Nutrition Greenhouse in Europe, now in its second year.

The American Beverage Association (ABA), Washington, D.C., announced that Katherine Lugar, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), will join ABA as its new president and CEO later this year. Lugar will succeed Susan K. Neely, who led the ABA for 13 years. Neely was named president and CEO of the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) in May 2018.

Fort Collins, Colo.-based Joy Organics announced the release of its new zero-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) energy drink mix. The CBD Energy + Focus Energy Drink and Recovery Mix is designed to enhance anyone’s workout plan and provide improved workout recovery, the company says. The CBD Energy + Focus Drink contains 75 mg of caffeine, which helps improve focus and mental clarity, it adds.

The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Costa Ltd., which was founded in London in 1971. The acquisition of Costa from parent company Whitbread PLC is valued at $5.1 billion and will give Coca-Cola a strong coffee platform across parts of Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, with the opportunity for additional expansion, the company says.

As Labor Day just marked the official end of summer, consumers still are continuing to try different beverages from their favorite companies. In the Reader’s Choice: New Product of the Month poll for July, the readers selected Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Ellen as their favorite product.

Los Angeles-based Cave Shake, innovator of a ready-to-drink (RTD) ketogenic shake, announced its partnership with beverage accelerator L.A. Libations.