📣 Bev-Alc Trade Groups Blast Dietary Guidelines Process

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Deschutes Founder/Owner Gary Fish said “For the last 35 years, Black Butte Porter has been the best-selling porter in the nation and Briess has been key to that success”.  We couldn’t agree more. Click to hear Deschutes’ story. Learn more

Beverage-alcohol industry trade groups didn’t hold back in their feedback to the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD) about recent changes to the process by which the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) evaluates alcohol’s place in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA).

Comments from the Beer Institute (BI), Brewers Association (BA), National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) and Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) come amid a broader discussion about alcohol consumption. 

The DGAC – a collaborative effort from the U.S. departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Health and Human Services (HHS) – meets every five years to revise the guidelines. In recent months, bev-alc trade groups have circled their wagons in opposition to the DGAC’s diversion from its usual process concerning alcohol consumption guidelines. 

Insiders can read more about the trade groups’ opposition to the review process, plus comments from the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.

Eric LeGrand’s life was changed in 2010, when he became paralyzed while playing football as a defensive tackle for Rutgers University. The end of his athletic career marked the start of his entrepreneurial path, leading to his latest venture launched last year: Eric LeGrand Bourbon. Created with spirits entrepreneur Brian Axelrod, co-founder of Chica-Chida Tequila, and formerly a part of Proper No.Twelve and D’Ussé Cognac, the brand aims to end the stigma that those with disabilities aren’t able to enjoy the finer things in life.

As his brand expands further out of its New Jersey homebase to New York and Massachusetts, we chatted with LeGrand about how a purpose-driven brand competes in a saturated category, what strategies he’ll use to extend awareness outside of his home turf, and where the lessons he’s learned from other businesses play a role in spirits.

It seems like you’re a hometown hero, but for those who don’t know you and as you expand your distribution, how are you getting your story across in the few minutes someone may be deciding on what bourbon to buy?

Eric: We made our bottle very descriptive of my story on the bottom of the label and then we also have a little piece on the back of our first bottle run, which shows that $5.20 from every case that we sell goes back to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, which is taking care of the people in the paralysis community as we look to find a cure.

It’s also a big deal to get on the cocktail menu as well. People might know Bulleit Bourbon and Maker’s Mark, so if they see my name and they don’t know my story, they might want to look it up.

Insiders can read more from LeGrand, including his collaborations with fellow Garden State food and bev entrepreneurs and the brand’s partnership with Rutgers Athletics, the department’s first spirits deal.

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World of Beer has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, in an effort to reorganize. Brewbound managing editor Jess Infante shares details of the filing and what it means for craft breweries. 

Jess and Brewbound editor Justin Kendall also review the latest earnings reports, including Anheuser-Busch InBev cycling the anniversary of the Bud Light boycott, how A-B is faring in the U.S. a year later, and the fallout being felt by one of its top competitors, Molson Coors, and one of its biggest supply chain partners, Ball Corporation. 

Jess and Justin also reveal how little they know about soccer, and discuss car trips with toddlers and adjusting to a new puppy. 

Listen here or on your preferred podcast platform. 

At Brewbound Live in Marina del Rey on December 11 + 12, beer and beverage-alcohol companies can participate in retailer One-to-One meetings with ExtraMile Convenience. The buyer will be available for private, pre-scheduled meetings, and brands will be selected at the retailer’s discretion.

ExtraMile Convenience is a successful, industry-recognized c-store brand with more than 1,000 franchised convenience stores in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Alabama, and Mississippi. The growing ExtraMile network leverages experience and efficiency of scale to deliver “extra” value.

Meet with Michelle Abdollah, the Category Manager of Alcoholic Beverages, during Brewbound Live. Michelle is a seasoned retail expert with over 15 years of experience in merchandising and operations. With a proven track record of driving growth and profitability, Michelle has honed her skills through various leadership roles at 7-Eleven and Target. Her expertise has earned her recognition as one of the Top Women In Convenience by Convenience Store News in 2024.

Beer and beverage-alcohol professionals attending Brewbound Live can also meet with Whole Foods beer category buyers, with additional retailers to be added soon!

You must be registered for Brewbound Live to be considered for a retailer meeting. Once you register for the event, you will receive an email with instructions for signing up.

Register for Brewbound Live 2024.