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Pernod Ricard's Jameson has signed a multiyear deal to become the official whiskey of Major League Soccer and the MLS All-Star Game, marking Jameson's first national league partnership. The deal includes in-stadium branding, digital campaigns, player appearances and partnerships with six clubs, including the LA Galaxy and New York City FC.
Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits is opening a 375,000-square-foot distribution center in Geismar, La., that will feature a state-of-the-art material handling system for wine and spirits storage and distribution and is under a lease until 2049. The project is part of Southern Glazer's 10-year supply chain transformation, which includes investments in new facilities and technologies.
Actor Tom Holland's nonalcoholic beer brand, Bero, is making a significant retail debut at Target, with placement in 1,400 stores across the US. The nonalcoholic beverage market is experiencing significant growth, with sales of nonalcoholic beer, wine and spirits increasing by 27% to $818 million last year, according to NIQ. This trend is driven by a shift towards reduced alcohol consumption, particularly among younger consumers, and Target has been finding more ways to cater to the demand.
Social pressures continue to hinder the growth of the non-alcoholic beverage market. Research from Heineken indicates that a significant percentage of Gen Z, particularly men, feel compelled to hide their consumption of low- and no-alcohol drinks due to societal expectations. Despite a shift towards mindful drinking, these pressures influence many to consume alcohol against their initial intentions.
Siempre Tequila has released Muerto, a new tequila expression that features a 30-day fermentation process that allows the yeast to completely die, resulting in a complex flavor profile with notes of chocolate, black pepper and pineapple. Only 4,500 bottles have been produced, and Muerto is the counterpart to Vivo, which Siempre released two years ago and created with live yeast during distillation.
Michigan's wine industry, primarily located along Lake Michigan's coast, is gaining recognition for its crisp and refreshing wines. The state's unique terroir, influenced by glacial soils and the moderating effects of Lake Michigan, supports a variety of grapes, including riesling, pinot noir and cabernet franc. The state now has more than 140 wineries and 4,000 acres under vine.
The low- and no-alcohol beverage market is undergoing significant growth, with volume projected to grow 4% annually through 2028, driven mainly by no-alcohol drinks, according to IWSR. Recent product launches include Mash Gang's nonalcoholic beers, Cann's Ginger Lemongrass with THC and CBD and Ariel Vineyards' alcohol-removed wines with new branding.
Johnnie Walker chose Asian-American visual artist James Jean to create a limited-edition Lunar New Year design for its Johnnie Walker Blue Label product. "We're excited to commemorate the Year of the Snake with this remarkable, limited-edition design that is perfect for celebrating this year's festival," said Johnnie Walker Global Brand Director Jennifer English.
