News Briefs for September 5, 2013

•Beam Inc.’s Jim Beam Bourbon brand has launched Jim Beam Maple in the U.S. A blend of natural flavors and Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon whiskey, the new 70-proof entry features brown maple, wood and caramel notes. In national distribution this month, Jim Beam Maple retails around $15.99 a 750-ml. Maple joins Beam’s expanding flavor range, which has been led by its Red Stag flavors Black Cherry, Honey Tea, Spiced Cinnamon and Hardcore Cider, as well as Jim Beam Honey and Jim Beam Devil’s Cut.

•Campari America’s X-Rated liqueur brand has introduced Tropix, a new pineapple- and coconut-flavored offshoot. Made with French vodka, Tropix is a yellow-hued liqueur targeted toward off- and on-premise cocktail and shot occasions. The new offering is also being positioned as a low-calorie, female-friendly option, claiming to offer 81 calories per 1.5-ounce serving. Rolling out this month, Tropix will be available in 375-ml., 750-ml. and 1-liter formats, priced at around $24.99 a 750-ml. The X-Rated liqueur brand was down 12% to 77,000 cases in the U.S. in 2012, according to Impact Databank.

•MillerCoors has expanded its Redd’s Apple Ale brand with the launch of a new strawberry extension. Billed as a flavored golden ale, Redd’s Strawberry Ale is characterized by strawberry and apple flavors, as well as low malt and bitterness notes. The 5%-abv offering is set to appear nationwide, available in six-packs and 12-packs of 12-ounce bottles and four-packs of 16-ounce cans. Redd’s Strawberry Ale marks the second offering under the Redd’s lineup, following Apple Ale, which originally launched in 2012 and has enjoyed a strong start.

•Panache Beverages has completed its deal to acquire New Port Richey, Florida-based Empire Winery and Distillery, officially renaming it Panache Distillery. The company will move production of its Wódka Vodka and Alibi American whiskey to the distillery early next year. The deal, first announced in June, will also allow Panache full integration of its domestic distilling, bottling and sales operations, as well as bulk spirits production and contract distilling. The facility currently has the capacity to produce approximately 650,000 nine-liter cases per year, but an expansion project is already underway to expand that to roughly 1.2 million cases.

Tagged : Beam Inc, Campari America, Jim Beam, MillerCoors, Panache Beverage

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