News Briefs for October 4, 2013
October 4, 2013•Beam Inc. has launched Ice Surge—a new liqueur brand—in select U.S. markets. Targeted toward the shot occasion, the 70-proof range includes Tropical Freeze (pineapple and mango) and Frozen Berry (raspberry, blackberry and açai) variants, both of which are said to combine fruit flavors with a unique cooling sensation. Priced at $16.99 a 750-ml., Ice Surge will initially be available across 20 markets. The new brand joins the DeKuyper, Sourz, Kamora and Leroux cordial and liqueur brands in Beam’s portfolio.
•Chile’s Santa Ema is mourning the loss of founder and owner Don Félix Pavone Arbea, whose death was announced on October 2. Pavone and his father Don Pedro Pavone Voglino founded Santa Ema in Chile’s Maipo Valley in 1956, focusing on fruit-driven wines produced in the Isla de Maipo area. Among Chile’s leading ultra-premium wineries, Santa Ema has been awarded 13 scores of 90-plus from Wine Spectator over the years and is imported to the U.S. by TGIC.
•Carlsberg and Constellation have decided to end their alliance on Somersby Cider, said Constellation CEO Robert Sands in a conference call with analysts yesterday. While discussing Constellation’s second quarter results, Sands said, “While Somersby cider has done well in initial test markets, Crown and Carlsberg have mutually agreed that Crown will no longer represent the Somersby brand in the U.S.” Sands added that Crown needed to focus on its core portfolio, led by the Corona franchise and Modelo Especial. Constellation took full control of Crown in June, buying out Grupo Modelo, which was recently purchased by Anheuser-Busch InBev. Carlsberg is currently seeking a new marketer for Somersby, which sold roughly 5,000 (2.25-gallon) cases in 2012—its first year in the Crown lineup. The Danish brewer’s flagship Carlsberg brand is currently handled in the U.S. by St. Killian Import Co.
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