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The Toasts Not Tariffs coalition, representing 59 national and state beverage alcohol organizations, wrote to President Trump urging a permanent solution to restore cross-border market access after Canada pulled U.S. products from liquor shelves last year, sending U.S. spirits exports north down 70% to $72 million and wine exports down 87% to $60 million. The letter also warned against a pending U.S. ban on most bottled Canadian alcohol imports, which excludes bulk shipments.
Shanken News Daily |
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Sazerac has agreed to acquire Berentzen Group, the 250-year-old German producer of Berentzen schnapps and Puschkin vodka, for 5.55 euros (about $6.31) per share, a 68% premium to the company's three-month weighted average price before Sept. 16. The deal, subject to shareholder approval, is expected to close at year-end, after which Sazerac will delist Berentzen from the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
Food Dive |
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Wente Family Estates will join Bronco Wine Co.'s national portfolio while remaining independently owned and operated by the Wente family, with Bronco's sales organization handling distributor and customer support. The Wente range, including Wente Family Vineyards and Hayes Ranch, sold 450,000 cases in the U.S. last year per Impact Databank, and moves into a Bronco portfolio that totaled 2.7 million cases in 2025.
Shanken News Daily |
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California farmers have removed or stopped actively growing wine grapes on roughly 25% of the state's vineyards, down from a pandemic peak of nearly 600,000 acres, as U.S. wine case sales fell 23% from 427 million in 2020 to 329 million in 2025, per First Citizens Bank. About half of this year's crop entered harvest without buyer contracts, versus 70 to 80% in a typical year, said Allied Grape Growers president Jeff Bitter, leaving some growers to sell at a loss or leave grapes on the vine.
The Baltimore Sun |
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Beverage-alcohol off-premise sales returned to positive territory in the week ending September 13, according to market research firm Circana, a rebound after a disappointing Labor Day weekend.
Brewbound |
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Anheuser-Busch is putting $23m into its Fort Collins, Colorado brewery to increase Michelob Ultra output, expand 25oz (74cl) can capacity, add rail capacity, and open a technical skills training center, one of 15 planned nationwide. The spending falls under the company's 'Brewing Futures' program, which pledges $600m across US operations in 2025 and 2026 after being doubled from $300m in April; the Fort Collins money follows funding last week for two California sites and $13m for the Baldwinsville, New York brewery last month.
Drinks Intel |
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Instacart and Gopuff are teaming up: Gopuff will join the Instacart Marketplace and use Instacart's Carrot Ads platform to power advertising on its own app in the U.S.
BevNET |
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The Government of South Australia has committed AUD109m (US$77.6m) to a Wine Industry Transition & Growth Package, with the bulk going to a AUD100m loan scheme to help growers move away from "unviable vineyards" as the sector grapples with global oversupply, falling grape prices and shifting demand. Only AUD5m is earmarked to drive international demand, plus a AUD675,000 advertising budget; the state produces 80% of Australia's premium wine and its industry is worth AUD2.4bn.
Drinks Intel |
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Distillers United Group has bought a majority stake in Panamanian rum brand Carta Vieja for an undisclosed sum, with the brand joining DUG's international portfolio from 1 February 2027. Carta Vieja, whose range spans two clear rums and aged expressions including the 100-year-old Golden Cask Anniversary, will get refreshed identity, packaging and product lineup; DUG's portfolio also includes Venezuela's Ron Tepuy and Diplomático, which moved to Brown-Forman in 2023.
The Spirits Business |
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Campari has made Alan Cumming the face of its "Stay Bitter" platform for Negroni Week, running September 21 to 27, in a campaign built with M Booth around "The Bitter Nine" group and an update of the brand's 1970s "9 out of 10,000" ad. Shoppers in select U.S. markets can get up to $15 cash back on qualifying receipts for a Campari Negroni; Sarah Michelle Gellar fronted the 2025 edition.
news.designrush |
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Eastern Light has raised $23 million to accelerate construction of its $143 million distillery in Morehead, Kentucky, securing the capital despite a worsening market for contract bourbon production.
The Business Journals |
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Supply chain disruption from US tariffs has pushed Canadian brewers to source aluminium cans from Chinese companies, according to The Drinks Business.
The Drinks Business |
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Hoplark's parent company has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation. The company also signaled a potential lawsuit against Brooklyn Brewery, alleging the New York craft brewer violated a licensing agreement and its fiduciary duties.
BevNET |
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Henkell Freixenet is moving production of its Slovak sparkling wine brand Hubert J.E. to sister business Bohemia Sekt's sites in Starý Plzenec and Mikulov in Czechia, closing its plant in Sered', Slovakia, by the end of this year and affecting roughly 60 jobs in two stages. The company said Hubert's sales and marketing will still be managed in Slovakia, citing changing consumer behavior and unfilled production capacity despite recent investment.
Just Drinks |
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Argentina's Grupo Peñaflor is putting capital into a new winery in Tunuyán, Mendoza, set to open in about five months, alongside its young RTD bottling business.
Just Drinks |
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BrewDog launched a multi-platform "Under New Ownership" marketing campaign on September 21, spanning outdoor and digital advertising and a letter from owner Tilray in 70,000 print copies of City AM. Tilray, which has invested nearly £50 million since acquiring BrewDog and reopened 16 bars, is backing the push with £3 four-packs of Punk IPA in grocery and up to 1,000 free kegs of Wingman for on-trade customers who register before October 12.
FinanzNachrichten.de |
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Moët Hennessy and glass maker Verallia have entered a strategic partnership to keep cutting the sector's carbon footprint and develop a new generation of glass packaging.
Zonebourse |
