Portland, Ore.-based Pyramid Breweries announced the launch of its 1977 Lager in commemoration of the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers’ 1977 title run. As the third edition of the brew partnership with the Trail Blazers, raising a pint with this distinctly Portland beer celebrates the 40^th anniversary of the team's victorious season, the company says. 

White Plains, N.Y.-based Heineken USA announced that Harbor Distributing LLC of California and High Country Beverage of Colorado have been selected as this year’s recipients of the company’s 1864 Award for Responsibility and Sustainability. For the first time, the 2016 selection process considers environmental sustainability efforts, as well as best-in-class practices promoting responsible consumption and moderation, the company says. The award was presented to the winners on Oct. 20 at the Heineken USA annual National Distributor Conference in Chicago. 

Bai Brands, Princeton, N.J, announced that Justin Timberlake will join its team as an investor and the brand’s first Chief Flavor Officer. The award-winning actor and musician will work closely with the Bai executive team on new flavor innovation, product launches, marketing campaigns and digital content, among other initiatives, the company says.

Starbucks Coffee Co., Seattle, announced the launch of the next generation of its Verismo System by Starbucks: The Verismo V Brewer. The new single-cup brewing system offers a sleek design, enhanced features, and expanded coffee and espresso pod variety, allowing consumers to craft Starbucks brewed coffee, espresso and caffé lattes consistently and conveniently, the company says. 

Englewood Cliffs, N.J.-based Unilever announced that its Pure Leaf brand is expanding beyond the ready-to-drink shelves with the launch of bagged and loose-leaf teas. Available nationwide in 10 hot and iced varieties, Pure Leaf’s new range of new long-leaf teas share the brand’s passion for realness by giving consumers the most genuine tea experience, the company says.

With Oct. 19 being the final presidential debate of this election cycle, many might be looking forward to the closing of this election. However, the readers of Beverage Industry still remain active when voting for their favorite new products.

The American Craft Spirits Association (ASCA), International Wine and Spirits Research (IWSR) and Park Street released highlights from the Craft Spirits Data Project at the inaugural Craft Spirits Economic Briefing at the Nomad Hotel in New York. The Craft Spirits Data Project, announced earlier this year, is a research initiative to provide a solid and reliable fact-base for evaluating performance and trends in the U.S. craft spirit industry, the companies say.

Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo Inc. announced a global sustainability agenda designed to foster continued business growth in a way that responds to changing consumer and societal needs. The company’s efforts, which focus on creating a healthier relationship between people and food, include specific 2025 goals to continue transforming PepsiCo’s food and beverage portfolios, contribute to a more sustainable global food system and help make local communities more prosperous, it says. 

Atlanta-based The Coca-Cola Co. announced its intention to acquire Leuven, Belgium-based Anheuser-Busch InBev’s (AB InBev) stake in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) following the closing of the AB InBev combination with SABMiller.