Nashville, Tenn.-based Heroes Vodka, a veteran-owned premium vodka made from 100 percent American grain, announced a partnership with Cincinnati-based Heidelberg Distributing Co. to bring its vodka to Ohio and Kentucky, expanding the brand’s availability to 15 states nationwide. Founded in 2011 by U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Travis McVey, Heroes Vodka is part of the R.S. Lipman Co. portfolio of brands. 

New York-based Stoli Group USA LLC announced that effective immediately it will hold the importation, distribution, sales and marketing rights for the KAH Tequila brand. This development closes out a banner year across the portfolio, driven by continued sales increases for the group's namesake Stoli Vodka and its ultra-luxury elite Vodka, extension into 24 states for Bayou Rum, and the wine division's multiple recognitions, the company says.

Tea sales in the United States have shown strong growth in 2016, continuing the upswing in ready-to-drink (RTD) and refrigerated categories, according to Rockville, Md.-based Packaged Facts. In its new report “Tea and Ready-to-Drink Tea: U.S. Retail Market, 6th Edition,” the market research firm estimates tea sales slightly exceeded $7 billion in 2015, up almost 6 percent. By 2020, Packaged Facts expects retail sales of tea in the United States to close in on $9 billion for the first time, it says. 

New Holland Brewing Co. Founder and President Brett VanderKamp and Pabst Brewing Co. (PBC) Chairman Eugene Kashper announced that the two companies will enter into a long-term partnership agreement, effective first quarter 2017. The partnership will focus on the national distribution and sales of the Holland, Mich.-based craft brewer’s full portfolio of beers. 

Las Vegas-based Maloof Ventures announced the launch of Never Too Hungover Boost, a new dietary supplement for hangover prevention and recovery under the Never Too Hungover dietary supplement brand. 

Lagavulin Single Malt Scotch Whisky, a brand of Diageo plc, London, and actor Nick Offerman, set digital screens ablaze last year with “Yule Log,” a video that provided an enjoyable fireplace-viewing, the company says. Offerman is back at it again this year with another New Year’s Eve video. 

In celebration of National Hot Cocoa Day on Dec. 13, Keurig Green Mountain Inc., Waterbury, Vt., and Swiss Miss, a brand of Chicago, Ill.-based ConAgra Brands Inc., are introducing two new varieties of Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa K-Cup pods. 

Cerveza Minerva, Mexico, announced that it has selected Pabst Brewing Co., Los Angeles, as its exclusive importer in the United States.

The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously approved the recommendation of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Muhtar Kent for an evolution of the company’s senior leadership structure. Under the new structure, company veteran James Quincey, president and chief operating officer (COO), will succeed Kent as CEO, effective May 1, 2017. 

Austin, Texas-based Deep Eddy Vodka, a division of Heaven Hill Brands, announced its expansion with the purchase of a 194,000-square-foot facility located just outside of the Austin city limits in Buda, Texas.