Colorado Distillery Sees April Sales Increase Despite COVID-19
The 291 Colorado Whiskey Distillery has been a COVID-19 era success story, surpassing their April 2019 sales of cocktails in April 2020. As soon as stay-at-home orders went into effect, the distillery rapidly switched their tasting room operations from in-house to...
Six Distilleries Share Their Plans for Reopening
Distilleries across the country are beginning the first phase of reopening for tours and guests at 25% to 50% capacity. While rules and dates vary by state, employees will be required to wear masks, social distancing for guests, and employees will be enforced, and...
Constellation Brands and E & J Gallo Revise Transaction
Constellation Brands has amended its recent agreement to sell a portion of its wine and spirits portfolio to E & J Gallo Winery. Constellation’s Mission Bell facility will now be excluded from the transaction, bringing the revised transaction price to...
Tito’s and Hard Seltzer Still Attracting New Consumers
Beverage alcohol category sales growth slowed a bit after the Cinco de Mayo surge, according to new Nielsen data. Category sales were still healthy, though. Spirits sales off-premise increased by 38.8%, wine increased by 30.8% and beer/FMB/cider grew by 25.5% for the...
Pennsylvania Rep. Seeks to Privatize State Alcohol Industry
Pennsylvania state representative Timothy J. O’Neal issued a memo formally announcing his plans to introduce legislation that would privatize the sale of wine and spirits in the state. O’Neal argues that the dire situation caused by COVID-19 exposed weaknesses in the...
Restaurants Get Innovative to Protect Customers and Staff
As restaurants enter the first phase of reopening from COVID-19 shutdowns, they are using innovative solutions to provide a safe experience for their diners. Virtual waitlists are helping restaurants ensure they meet capacity caps without creating lengthy lines, while...
Drizly Releases Promising Data for Ready-To-Drink and Hard Seltzer
Online alcohol retailer Drizly released data from their 2,500+ retail partners across North America showing sales growth above baseline has hovered around 400% in recent weeks. The subcategories leading the way were hard seltzer at 939% and ready-to-drink with 901%...
House Lawmakers Looks to Add Flexibility to Paycheck Protection Program
The House of Representatives is planning to vote on changes to the Paycheck Protection Program, a Small Business Administration loan program. The bill would extend the amount of time businesses have to rehire employees beyond the June 30 deadline and extend the loan...
Nielsen: How Consumers Celebrated Cinco de Mayo
The beverage alcohol category had another big week over the Cinco de Mayo occasion, according to new Nielsen data. Sales for the overall category in off-premise channels increased by 34.8% for the week ended May 9. Spirits trends led growth (+48.4%), followed by wine...