Costs are going up for American consumers across the board, which begs the question, how will this effect the alcohol beverage industry? U.S. consumer prices reached the highest point in June since 2005 thanks to increased costs for fuel and food, reports Bloomberg. Prices increased 5% in the 12 months to June, the most since … Continue reading “Will Alcohol Weather the Economic Storm?”

CAMY, the Center for Alcohol Marketing and Youth, has “concluded its activities,” according to its mission statement on its website. The organization is no longer receiving funding and the federal government has decided it will assign one of its agencies to keep tabs on alcohol advertising in the future. A press release by STATS (Statistical … Continue reading “CAMY Halts Alcohol Research”

Future Brands, the U.S. sales and distribution operation for Beam Global and the Absolut Spirits Company, announced several changes to its management structure and leadership team today. The following organizational changes took effect July 7 and will put “greater emphasis on our luxury and on-premise businesses,” stated Bill Newlands, president of Beam’s U.S. business.• Future … Continue reading “Future Brands Names New Leadership”

The times they are a-changin’ and so are state liquor laws. A host of what some may consider antiquated liquor laws have been overturned this year in Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Wisconsin and Virginia, marking a victory for larger distillers and Discus. Colorado became the 35th state this week to allow residents to buy alcohol on … Continue reading “States Loosen Prohibition Liquor Laws”

Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi has expanded its wine portfolio to include new Lightly Oaked Chardonnay in answer to “consumer demand for an alternative to the traditional style of this varietal,” said the company. “When it comes to Chardonnay, consumers fall into two distinct camps,” explains Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi winemaker Todd Ziemann. “Those who prefer … Continue reading “Woodbridge Launches Lightly Oaked Chardonnay”

Research from the Nielsen company and Bevinco indicates that fewer consumers are drinking at bars, restaurants and nightclubs and that on-premise sales of alcoholic beverages have been “considerably impacted” by the declining economy.LESS CONSUMER TRAFFIC. More than 40% of bar managers, bar owners, and bartenders surveyed say they have seen a decrease in consumer traffic, … Continue reading “Economy Hurts On-Premise Drinking”

Bourbon producers are seeing new demand on an international scale, which has led distillers such as Maker’s Mark, Heaven Hill, Wild Turkey and Jim Beam to expand their production facilities. The Associated Press featured an interesting article over what Max Shapira, president of Heaven Hill Distilleries, called “an exciting time to be in the bourbon … Continue reading “Bourbon Seeing International Gains”

Despite strict drug and alcohol laws, the United States leads the world in rates of experimenting with drugs, researchers at the World Health Organization have found. “The United States, which has been driving much of the world’s drug research and drug policy agenda, stands out with higher levels of use of alcohol, cocaine, and cannabis, … Continue reading “U.S. Ranks Higher in Drug and Alcohol Abuse”

Constellation reported better than expected first quarter earnings, with net sales benefiting from price increases in domestic and international markets and improved mix by acquiring brands like Clos du Bois and Wild Horse, while disposing of the lower-margin Almaden and Inglenook wines. In addition, the overlap of the U.S. distributor wine inventory reduction, which was … Continue reading “Constellation Beats Expectations”

Responsible for propelling the spirits industry to where it is today, the premiumization train may have reached its final stop or at least slowed for awhile. Most people in the spirits industry agree “trading up” is slowing down in the face of a recession – a phenomenon that is also supported by retail data, Jeremy … Continue reading “Consumers Trade to “Bottom-Shelf” Spirits”

According to several sources, Constellation is in negotiations to sell the following wine brands: Geyser Peak (recently acquired from Fortune Brands), Gary Farrell (acquired from Fortune), Buena Vista Carneros (acquired from Fortune), Atlas Peak, Covey Run, Ste. Chapelle & Columbia Winery. The purchase price is allegedly $220-$225 million. Details of the sale and the group … Continue reading “Constellation in Negotiations to Sell”

According to several sources, Constellation is in negotiations to sell the following wine brands: Geyser Peak (recently acquired from Fortune Brands), Gary Farrell, Buena Vista Carneros, Atlas Peak, Covey Run, Ste. Chapelle & Columbia Winery. The purchase price is $220-$225 million. When Constellation reorganized its U.S. wine business in January, it reportedly decided it was … Continue reading “Alert: Constellation in Negotiations to Sell”

CEO Paul Varga said the company’s positive fiscal results proved its ability to perform well during poor economic conditions in the U.S. One of the notable milestones of 2008, according to Paul, was the growth in countries outside the U.S., which was partially offset by higher raw material costs and increased operating investments. For the … Continue reading “B-F Outperforms Wall Street”

The downturn in the economy, so far, is not a big deterrent for consumers when purchasing alcohol on-premise. New research from Nielsen indicates that the declining economy has only a “mild impact” on consumers buying wine, beer and liquor at grocery and liquor stores, convenience stores, warehouse clubs and other stores.Nearly half of consumers surveyed … Continue reading “Alcohol “Somewhat Recession Proof””

Based on a report by Macquarie Research’s Andy Kovacs, Australian imports, particularly Foster’s Group, has underperformed in the tough U.S. market so far in the second half of 2008. U.S. WINE MARKET. Andy remarked that the U.S. wine market is holding up under pressure but there is some disparity within, namely between states. In January … Continue reading “Australian Imports Stall in U.S.”