Tuesday, June 18, 2019 www.nabca.org

elements such as an outdoor theater, a carousel, a penny CONTROL STATE NEWS arcade, and a zoo. NH: NH Commission to Open Energy-Neutral NH The Tri-City NH Liquor & Outlet will consolidate Liquor & Wine Outlet in Somersworth existing locations at 47 Street in Dover and 5 New 20,000-square-foot Outlet located in historic former Main Street in Somersworth, providing a new and trolley car repair shop; Outlet to feature expansive selection improved shopping experience. The location, which of and spirits features ample parking, is easily accessible off the News Release Spaulding Turnpike and Route 108 and positions the new NHLC Outlet nearby the Tri-City Plaza and major retailers, June 18, 2019 including Market Basket, Citizen Bank, T.J. Maxx, Staples and other national retailers. Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Liquor Commission (NHLC) will open the new Tri-City NH Liquor & Wine Following more than a year and a half of restoring, Outlet on Tuesday, June 18, in the revitalized building of refinishing, and preserving the structure of the original the former Dover-Rochester-Somersworth Street building, the new Outlet incorporates original details, Railway Trolley Car Repair Shop. Serving Somersworth, such as trusses and clerestory windows, with more Dover, Rochester and surrounding Maine communities, modern elements, such as solar arrays and energy- the 20,000-square-foot Tri-City NH Liquor & Wine Outlet, efficient materials. Most recently, the Riverside Garage, located at 481 High Street in Somersworth, will be the an automobile repair shop, had operated in the building first energy-neutral location in NHLC history. The new from 1975 until December 2017, when NHLC took over Outlet will feature more than 4,200 sizes and varieties of the space. wines and spirits. In addition to preserving the building’s history, the new “We are pleased to be opening this energy-neutral Tri- Outlet will boast an array of new features and amenities, City NH Liquor & Wine Outlet, which has been an including temperature and humidity-controlled wine especially unique project as the site is deeply connected vaults, expanded Price Busters and Wine Power Buys to the rich, trolley car history of Somersworth, Dover and displays, and iPad kiosks that provide food and wine the surrounding towns. The building itself is a physical pairings and information about current inventory. representation of that history,” said NHLC Chairman In addition to the Tri-City NH Liquor & Wine Outlet, NHLC Joseph Mollica. “This new Tri-City Outlet combines our has opened 31 new or renovated NH Liquor & Wine commitment to quality service and selection with the Outlets since 2012 in the following communities: ability to serve our customers in a convenient location.” Bedford, Colebrook, Concord, Epping, Gilford, Hooksett, The former building of the Dover-Rochester- Hampstead, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lincoln, Londonderry, Somersworth Street Railway Trolley Car Repair Shop Manchester, Merrimack, Milford, Nashua, New exudes historic significance, as it once served several Hampton, North Hampton, Pembroke, Peterborough, streetcar companies in the late 1890’s and early 1900’s. Plaistow, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Rochester, Salem, Located on the shore of Willand Pond and serving as a Seabrook, Warner and West Chesterfield. marquee destination for streetcar passengers, 69-acre Just last month, NHLC announced plans to construct a Burgett Park housed a casino and what was considered strategically located 12,000-square-foot NH Liquor & at the time to be the best dance hall in all of New Wine Outlet in the community of Tilton. Additionally, England, which frequently hosted major performers like NHLC recently completed construction on the Duke Ellington. Burgett Park also featured unique Portsmouth NH Liquor & Wine Outlet located at the Portsmouth Traffic Circle, at which sales have already 2

increased by 20-percent year-over-year. A new NH LICENSE STATE NEWS Liquor & Wine Outlet in West Lebanon is also in the works. TX: Texas Raises Retail Liquor License Limit PA: PA announces grants to improve industry Shanken News Daily CBS21 News June 17, 2019 June 17, 2019 Texas governor Greg Abbott has signed into law a HARRISBURG, PA — On Monday, June 17, Pennsylvania's measure that vastly expands the number of retail liquor Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding announced that licenses an individual may own in the Lone Star State. grants will be made available in an effort to expand the Under the new law, which takes effect September 1, state's brewing industry. individuals may hold up to 250 retail liquor licenses in Texas, and add up to 15 new permits a year. The grant will provide funds towards promotion, marketing and research projects aimed at improving the Previously, individuals could own only five licenses, with production and sale of brewed beverages in PA. two exceptions: permits owned before May 1, 1949 were not subject to the cap; and there was a “consanguinity “Pennsylvania’s brewing industry is one of the strongest exception” under which a package store owner’s closest in the nation, and it is imperative that we continue to blood relative could obtain additional permits and innovate, expand, and lead; this grant program will help consolidate them under the owner’s permit. The us do just that,” said Sec. Redding. “We encourage exceptions have now been eliminated. anyone interested in helping to support research, development, marketing, and tourism related to brewing Under the exceptions, retail chains have already in the commonwealth to apply.” proliferated across Texas despite the five license cap, with Spec’s, Total Wine, and Twin boasting Projects that the grant will prioritize are those that will dozens of locations statewide. While the new law opens increase the production and quality or yield of PA- up Texas to further chain activity, publicly traded produced crops used by the industry, such as hops companies like Walmart, Costco, Walgreens, Kroger, and and . Those interested in marketing and others still may not sell spirits in the state. Walmart has integrating the commonwealth's beer industry into new been fighting to overturn that ban through the court or existing regional and statewide tourism initiatives will system.—Daniel Marsteller also be prioritized when applying for a grant.

Those interesting in applying for a brewery grant must deliver a one-page concept paper, plus a one-page draft TX: Governor signs legislation allowing beer-to-go sales budget by email in order to be considered. in Texas Documents are due by August 2, 2019 and can be sent to KVEO [email protected]. June 17, 2019 Applicants whose concept papers are approved by the AUSTIN — Governor Greg Abbott signing into law House board will be invited to submit a project proposal and Bill 1545 (Paddie, Birdwell), which allows beer-to-go grant application. Proposals should be sent electronically sales for craft breweries in the state of Texas. The bill also to [email protected] and 12 copies must be hand- extends the operations of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage delivered or sent by United States Mail and postmarked Commission and reduces burdensome regulations on the on or before the same date. beer and wine industry. The Governor hosted the bill signing at Austin Beerworks and took part in a brewery Applications should be addressed and delivered to the tour following the signing ceremony. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Market Development, Attn: Agricultural Commodity Board Grant The Governor was joined at the bill signing by Program, 2301 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA Representatives Chris Paddie, Eddie Rodriguez, Senators 17110-9408. Brian Birdwell, Kirk Watson, and Dawn Buckingham, and several stakeholders from the beer and wine industry.

“Today’s signing is a major win for the freedom and economic prosperity for which Texas has become known,” said Governor Abbott. “It is no secret that Lone 3

Star State is one of the best states for business and United Kingdom: Study: Tobacco and alcohol usage are entrepreneurship, and House Bill 1545 plays an common in British reality television shows important role in maintaining this by ensuring our News Medical and Life Sciences beverage industry is free of stifling regulations. I am Reviewed by James Ives, M.Psych. (Editor) grateful to the legislators and stakeholders here today June 18, 2019 who played a vital role in getting this legislation to my desk.” A new study in the Faculty of Public Health's Journal of Public Health finds that tobacco and alcohol usage are INTERNATIONAL NEWS extremely common in British reality television shows. The researchers measured depictions of alcohol and Sweden: Booze to your doorstep? Sweden opens up tobacco products on Celebrity Big Brother, Made in alcohol home delivery to everyone Chelsea, The Only Way is Essex, Geordie Shore, and Love After a long trial period, Sweden's state-run Systembolaget Island, all airing on UK channels for a total of 112 chain will be able to deliver alcohol home to customers across episodes between January and August 2018. The the entire country. researchers measured the number of one-minute The Local se intervals containing tobacco and/or alcohol imagery, By Adam Rosenfeld including actual use, implied use, tobacco or alcohol- June 17, 2019 related materials, and product-specific branding, and After a trial period in which only a few of Sweden's 21 estimated viewer exposure to the imagery on screen. counties were able to be serviced, the government voted Researchers here combined audience viewing figures for an amendment which would open up the service to with mid-year population estimates for 2017 to estimate the rest of the country. overall and individual impressions--separate incidents "The Swedes like Systembolaget's wide range and seen--by age group for each of the coded episodes. service, and Sweden's restrictive alcohol policy has broad Alcohol content appeared in all 112 episodes and in 2212 support. But in order to continue to be relevant, one-minute intervals, or 42% of all intervals studied. 18% Systembolaget must also develop, which we do now by of intervals included actual alcohol consumption, while providing permanent home deliveries. So we make sure 34% featured inferred consumption, predominantly that the alcohol monopoly continues to function as well characters holding alcoholic beverages. The greatest as today," social minister Lena Hallengren said in a press number of intervals including any alcohol content release. occurred in Love Island. Alcohol branding occurred in 1% The state-run alcohol monopoly is tasked with not of intervals and was most prevalent in Geordie Shore (51 promoting increased alcohol consumption as well as intervals, 69% of episodes). Forty brands were identified, enforcing Sweden's age limit for buying alcohol. In the most common being Smirnoff (23 intervals, all addition to limited opening hours, the store cannot offer but one of which occurred in Geordie Shore). promotions on alcoholic and cannot sell drinks in Tobacco content appeared in 20 episodes, in 110 or 2% multipacks apart from a very few exceptions. of all intervals studied. Almost all (98%) of this content It has existed since 1955 and is one of the world's biggest occurred in a single reality TV series, Celebrity Big single buyers of wine and spirits. Brother. This included actual tobacco use, inferred tobacco use, and tobacco paraphernalia. Tobacco As part of its statement on Monday, the government also branding was not present. stressed the importance of oversight in this new venture in order to maintain the purpose of Systembolaget. When all the data were combined with audience viewing figures and population estimates, the researchers Orders placed through the new service are expected to estimate that the 112 episodes delivered 4.9 billion be delivered within four to six working days and shipping overall alcohol impressions to the UK population, costs will vary depending on the size of the order. including 580 million to children under the age of 16, as Home delivery will follow the same guidelines as the well as 214 million overall tobacco impressions, including stores, for example that only people over the age of 20 47 million to children under 16. can purchase alcohol. The new rules are to come into Recent data shows that 44% of 11-15 year-olds in effect on July 1st. England have had an alcoholic , and 19% have tried 4

smoking. Starting to smoke or drink alcohol at a young The licensing act of 2003 means shopkeepers selling age is a strong predictor of dependence and continued alcohol must take care to not do business with people use in later life. Given that seeing alcohol or tobacco likely to cause trouble in public. imagery in the media promotes use among young Insp Pete Hall, head of Bradford's neighbourhood people, this study therefore identifies reality television policing team, said the trial is not "about catching shows as a major potential driver of alcohol and tobacco retailers" but helping "tackle the source of problems and consumption in young people in the UK. Tighter prevent them spreading". scheduling rules, such as restricting the amount of content and branding shown in these programmes, could In a similar scheme in Wakefield, police found a 60 per prevent children and adolescents from being exposed to cent reduction in street drinking. The Bradford scheme is the tobacco and alcohol content." the first to have legal consequences for shop owners.

Study's lead author, Alexander Barker Source: Oxford University Press USA Scotland: New support for 170,000 Scots children Journal reference: Barker, A.B. et al. (2019) A content damaged by alcohol analysis of tobacco and alcohol audio-visual content in a STV News sample of UK reality TV programmes. Journal of Public June 18, 2019 Health. doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdz043. A service has been launched for families of children who Download PDF Copy were exposed to alcohol in the womb. A new support service has been launched for the families United Kingdom: Alcohol sales to street drinkers could of children who were exposed to alcohol in the womb. be traced with forensic technology Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella The Telegraph term for a range of irreversible and lifelong physical, By Hasan Chowdhury emotional and developmental delays. June 18, 2019 It's estimated that more than 170,000 young people in Shopkeepers that sell "superstrength" alcohol to street Scotland could be affected. drinkers could soon be identified and fined using forensic FASD Hub Scotland was launched on Tuesday by technology that can trace exactly where cans were Adoption UK Scotland to offer information, support and purchased. training to professionals who support these families. Under a new scheme, cans and bottles of alcohol in Adoptive parent Judith Knox, whose son was diagnosed Bradford city centre will be marked with a special liquid with FASD six years ago, welcomed the launch. that can be used by police to track it back to the retailer. She said: "At that time, I knew of no other parent or carer Growing concerns about the negative impact of street in the same position and I felt very alone and isolated. drinking on Bradford's image prompted West Yorkshire Police to introduce the scheme, funded by taxes on local "It's great to see the establishment of FASD Hub Scotland businesses through Bradford Business Improvement which will serve as a central point for parents and carers District, a public-private partnership. looking for information, support and a network of other parents and carers who 'get it'." The liquid used to identify cans is known as SmartWater. It can be identified by police officers shining ultraviolet FASD Hub Scotland has three dedicated staff and light on cans and bottles. The liquid glows with a includes an information helpline, advocacy support, an distinctive colour to help identify its strength and source. online support community, workshops and training programmes. Frustrated business owners have complained about the anti-social behaviour visible in the city centre. Repeat Project lead Aliy Brown said: "We're delighted that offenders found to be selling alcohol to street drinkers Adoption UK Scotland is further developing our support risk fines of up to £20,000 and will be issued a community services in Scotland with the establishment of FASD Hub protection notice, which aims to prevent unreasonable Scotland. behaviour. 5

"We cannot cure FASD, but many people can live very These four costs are part of The Great American successfully with it, if provided with the right support at Affordability Crisis plaguing millennials and rendering the right time." them financially incapable of building a better future. The project has received funding of £140,000 from the The report said financial burdens and lack of social Scottish Government for an initial three-year period. support can explain why depression is on the rise among millennials. There’s been a 47 percent increase in major Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick said: "A diagnosis depression since 2013. A Blue Cross Blue Shield report of FASD is difficult for families and we can't said one in five millennials doesn’t seek treatment, most underestimate the challenges each diagnosis brings. likely because they can't afford it. "We know that there is a high incidence of care Studies have found a correlation between indebted experienced and adopted children living with this people and mental health problems. The report also said condition but more importantly we also know that with the likelihood of having a mental health disorder is three the right care and support, children can go on to lead times higher among those unsecured with debt. happy and fulfilling lives." Millennials also don't always have someone to share PUBLIC HEALTH NEWS their mental problems with. They're also marrying later and are less connected to political or religious Drugs, Suicide and Alcohol Causing More Millennial communities, which are factors that stoke depression Deaths and might lead to suicide. Medical Daily By Johnny Vatican INDUSTRY NEWS June 18, 2019 Raise your spirits levels (excerpt) Millennials, the generation born from the 1980s to the Convenience Store 1990s, is being ravaged by a deadly crisis that saw more By Christian Fuller than 36,000 of their number commit suicide in 2017 June 18, 2019 alone. UNITED KINGDOM - The spirits category is in gintastic This deadly affliction is being called "deaths of despair" shape, but retailers need to embrace new flavours and and it’s increasing among young Americans. Deaths of changing tastes to keep up the momentum. despair are related to drugs, alcohol and suicide. But of these premature causes of deaths, drug overdose is pre- Consumers no longer need an excuse of a big event to eminent. purchase spirits. With unicorn tears and popcorn daiquiri on offer to tempt shoppers, nothing is off limits Public health groups Trust for America's Health and Well within the category. Being Trust together prepared a report looking at millennials ages 23 to 38 in 2019 using the most recent In 2018, Brits spent £466m more on alcohol than they did data available from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control the previous year (Kantar 2018), with spirits taking a and Prevention (CDC). large share of the uplift. Their report said deaths of despair have increased across Spirits saw value grow 7.4% to £11.1bn – ahead of both all ages over the past 10 years, but more so among beer and wine (Diageo Drinks Report 2019) as a growing younger Americans. From 2007 to 2017, adults ages 18 number of consumers seek out specialist lines at higher to 34 had a 69 percent increase in alcohol-related deaths, price points. a 108 percent jump in drug-related deaths (largely Dayalan Nayager, Diageo managing director for Great caused by the opioid crisis) and a 35 percent increase in Britain, Ireland and France, says consumer interest in the suicide deaths. products they purchase and consume continues to gain The report cited the host of financial problems facing pace. “As a result, repertoire is increasing and traditional millennials as among the key reasons for the deaths of categories are being disrupted as consumers become despair epidemic. Among these financial problems are increasingly likely to try new things,” he says. student loan debt, healthcare, childcare and an “Gone are the days of siloed consumer choices. These expensive housing market. days many consumers enter a supermarket, , 6

restaurant or looking to be inspired, rather than with movers, it’s the Gordon’s Pink Gin that sits at the top of a predetermined choice.” the pile for .” Nayager says this presents both opportunity and Jen Draper, marketing director at mixers and tonic challenge to the marketplace. “It becomes ever more supplier Franklin & Sons, says there has been a important to understand the demands of the consumer, proliferation of new brands entering the category and in the occasions in which they are partaking. Looking to bringing about innovation. the future, we know that a true understanding of the “The UK comprises 72% of the total EU production of gin demands and behaviours of our consumers will be (Office for National Statistics UK manufacturers’ sales: a essential to remain relevant in the fast paced and focus on the beverages industry 2018), showing just how exciting world of alcoholic beverages.” popular it has become among consumers. That is why Bimber Distillery sales manager Mateusz Horoszko Franklin & Sons chose small craft gin producers to claims that craft and premium spirits are in demand as collaborate with, such as Caorunn Scottish Gin, consumers become more discerning. “In terms of sales, anticipating the trends in the spirits category this year.” it is definitely premium gin and for us that are the Caorunn Scottish Gin (6% abv) combines Franklin & Sons clear best-sellers. We are starting to see sales of our craft Natural Indian Tonic Water with Caorunn Gin, in new vodka picking up, too. Quality is a key. 250ml cans. “We have seen a huge distinction in alternative flavoured spirits in recent years. Consumers are looking for more variety, as well as authentic and unique flavours. Tariffs on Chinese glass impact California wineries Flavoured gin and vodka are making a big impact on sales State’s wine industry forced to find new sources of bottles as and I think it will still grow, as more and more consumers US tariffs begin raising production costs are going out less and drinking more at home.” Asia Times While (up 3.6%) and rum (up 4.1%) saw positive By Asia Times Staff sales growth last year, most of the sales increase in spirits June 17, 2019 is being fuelled by gin, which grew by 52.2% in value The U.S.-China tariffs dispute is impacting part of (CGA, Nielsen MAT 5 January 2019). California’s wine industry — glass bottles, as the wineries In fact, following a fifth year of consecutive growth, gin are sourcing glass from new manufacturers to control was the fastest growing category in total alcohol (Google costs, Xinhua reported. Internal Data 2018). “The glass from China has jumped up in price due to Christine Hope, owner of Hopes of Longtown in tariffs. Our production team is right now sourcing glass Hereford, has made stocking premium gin lines a priority. from other countries,” said Michael Parr, vice president “Gins are massive. Local gins are the top-selling lines in of Wente Family Estates in Livermore, Northern our store within the whole spirits category. Customers California. like to know that what they are drinking is premium and “We are going to walk away from glass manufacturers in local to their area,” she says. “We have seen a real China and looking now to other countries or in the Unites growth in local products, specifically spirits, in the States,” said Parr, who manages the international tourism market, too.” business for the oldest family-owned winery in Tom Birch, manager of Spar in Ormskirk, agrees. “I think California. the spirit market has boomed in recent years, most He said other wineries also are doing the same thing: notably recently with the era of gin. Gin is leading the canceling glass orders from China and trying to find other way with regards to sales in my store, with that and glass producers locally or from Mexico, the report said. vodka equalling about 50% of total spirit sales.” In an escalation of the trade tensions, Washington Both flavoured big brand gins and more unusual lines are increased additional tariffs on US$200 billion worth of proving success for Welcome Co-op franchisee Richard Chinese imports from 10 percent to 25 percent, and has Inglis. “Products such as pink gin have been a strong threatened to raise tariffs on more Chinese imports. In seller for us. We do stock a lot of other new and response, China raised additional tariffs on a range of alternative gins, such as rhubarb & , lemon drizzle, U.S. imports. , to name a few. However, in terms of real stock 7

Most California wineries use bottles made in China, culture. It can lead to priceless experiences, like the time which are subject to tariffs from the United States and I let a group of women pour alcohol from an unmarked end up raising production costs, Stuart Spencer, jug straight into my mouth at 2 a.m. in the thick of a executive director of Lodi Winegrape Commission, told parade in the streets of Oaxaca, Mexico. But how does a Capital Public Radio. traveler cautiously gauge when to dive in and when to stay away? “The environmental regulations and cost of producing glass in California has shifted in production to China over Every year, headlines remind us that there are dangerous the last 20 years,” he told the media outlet. “And so, I alcohols out there. As The Washington Post has think all wineries, regardless of size, are being affected reported: “Deaths from illicit liquor are common in India, by this as the cost of the glass continues to rise.” where illegally manufactured alcohol is often consumed for reasons including poverty and geographic isolation. California makes 81% of all U.S. wine and is the world’s Bootleggers have been known to add methanol, a toxic 4th leading wine producer after France, Italy and Spain. substance used in antifreeze, to such brews; it can also On the other hand, California’s wine industry has lost be present because of a mistake in the distilling process.” revenues in the Chinese market because of the And yet the allure of drinking like a local prevails for me. retaliatory tariffs from China. U.S. wines now face 93 Apparently, I’m not alone. percent in tax and tariff rates. “If ’re not encountering off-brand booze, then you’re Meanwhile, wines from Australia, New Zealand and Chile not really traveling, are you?” says Shanghai-based Chris face no tariffs in China and have gained market share. Lowder, general manager of the bar consultancy and craft spirits importer Proof & Company in China. “Travel DAILY NEWS is all about leaving comfort zones behind and understanding how people live in different parts of the When to shoot, sip or pass on around the world. As far as we know, humans have been drinking world alcohol for about 5,000 years, and we’re doing just fine.” The Washington Post Lowder has logged serious miles roaming the world for By Natalie B. Compton his work in the beverage industry. The result has been a June 17, 2019 lot of interesting drinking. In Shanghai, he’s a fan of The first time an Israeli bartender asked me whether I , a local spirit that tastes like a cross between wanted a shot I hadn’t ordered, I figured he was taking oloroso , amaro and . In , there was the me for an easily duped tourist. He wouldn’t be wrong; specialty bar, where he learned that the I’m not immune to scams, and it was my first night out in unfiltered wine (usually brewed using and , Tel Aviv. To my delight, he wasn’t trying to rack up my bill afermentation starter) could be made with a variety of — he was just giving me a chaser (not the kind you throw and nut milks with any kind of . back after taking a shot of strong alcohol). “The one that surprised me the most was a bottle of “Chasers are mini shots [of alcohol] that people drink peanut milk that had been fermented with champagne throughout the night to accompany their, well — yeast,” Lowder says. “Everything was poured from drinking,” says Yuval Soffer, brand ambassador of Milk & mostly unlabeled plastic bottles, and in the end, we were Honey, Israel’s first whiskey distillery. “Don’t be allowed to buy whatever we wanted to take home.” surprised when bartenders buy you a round of chasers Lowder doesn’t approach all local alcohol the same way. on the house. It’s part of the Tel Aviv hospitality culture.” Distilled alcohol (think vodka, ) tends to be fair If you drink, you’d be hard-pressed to get through a meal game for testing, while fermented drinks (beer, wine) in Tel Aviv without taking a chaser or five of something require careful treading. Unlike distillates, ferments have strong like , a Levantine spirit made from grapes and a lot of room for error. You want to make sure you’re aniseed. It doesn’t matter whether you’re sitting alone at drinking a product that was fermented in a sanitary the bar or in the thick of a 10-person business meeting at setting. a restaurant — you’ll probably have a bartender appear “If it’s just a ferment on the street, like a pot of bubbling with micro doses of local booze. or something, I usually don’t go for it,” Lowder While traveling, sampling the local moonshine can be a says. “If it’s not distilled, you’re really drinking at your door to gaining a deeper understanding of the local 8

own risk. At least if your local cheap hooch is high ABV Media. But his favorite drinking has been done in Mexico, [, given as a percent], you know it’s not the homeland of his wife. harboring some colony of death spores that are going to “One of the best memories I have from Mexico is tuba, a end your life.” fermented coconut water that we tasted with locals at Ultimately Lowder is more worried about fake alcohol Barra de Navidad, a little fishing town on the coastline of than incorrectly made booze. With a high-proof distillate, Jalisco,” Perrone says. “The array of fresh ingredients and he knows what he’s getting. But counterfeit alcohol is artisanal creations you can discover with Mexican people made with the intention of being as cheap to produce as is just incredible, especially if you have the chance to possible and might contain toxic ingredients such as share your experience with them.” methanol. Counterfeit alcohol is usually the culprit in the To feel safe about what you’re drinking, his sentiments cases of mass death in countries such as Indonesia and echoed Singh’s: Knowing who you’re drinking with helps. India. “Being [in Mexico] with locals I could trust was certainly “There is a lot of fake alcohol being served in the bottles an advantage, but when traveling, you always need to of many renowned Indian and international brands,” consider that what tastes familiar to them isn’t adds Jitender “Jeet” Singh, the beverage manager at necessarily what your palate is accustomed to,” Perrone KYTA Hospitality in Mumbai. “The government is very says. “For those who are not experts, I would always say strict about this. They regulate it by giving different bar that ‘less is more’ is a great word of wisdom. If the impact codes and numbers on every single bottle to ensure it is doesn’t entice your palate or nose, avoiding is always genuine.” safer.” Singh noted that dangerous bootleg alcohol tends to be Andrea Villela, an anthropologist by trade, follows that distributed in smaller towns rather than in India’s big same school of thought when hunting for in rural cities. It’s also more commonly found in Indian states Mexico. “Smelling is very important, because our where alcohol is banned. To avoid drinking counterfeit or smelling sense is very raw. It’s still connected to survival potentially poisoned alcohol, buy drinks from registered instincts. Always sip small and smell the cup,” she says. stores. Villela started a side hustle called La Fiera Mezcal, That being said, Singh still acknowledges that trying local sourcing mezcal from her home state of Guerrero. She Indian spirits like toddy or — alcohol made by and her mother — anthropologist Blanca Jiménez — fermenting sap from various palm plants — is a special receive tips on mezcaleros making great batches. Then experience. He recommends using your best judgment Villela travels to the source to taste it herself, often when making the call whether to drink something local, ending up in remote pockets of the region. and to err toward drinking the creations of people you know: “Try it if you trust the person." “We had to go up in the mountains and cross a river that was filled with baby frogs. The water was so clean,” Growing up in Lake Como, Italy, Agostino Perrone could Villela says of one particular mission. “We got to a point trust the people making the local alcohol: his family. His we couldn’t go any farther with the car, so we parked and enthusiasm for experimenting with local booze began climbed to find the mezcal master, Don Roberto.” To when he was a kid drinking grape distillates (similar to carry the mezcal back to the car, Villela had to strap the ) made by his uncle. “In Italy we have a deep- jugs onto donkeys. This precious cargo is then distributed rooted tradition for homemade products crafted for to bar owners, event organizers and guests of the convivial occasions with friends and family,” Perrone tastings Villela hosts at her house in Mexico City. says. “From wine to beer, homemade liquors and distilled produce, I have always been exposed to no-label Since she started La Fiera, Villela has learned to identify drinks. It is part of our culture.” good mezcal from bad. She’s had a lot of practice. People bring Villela eclectically packaged samples of their Perrone’s exposure to Italy’s artisan alcohol traditions product, or that of the uncle of a friend of a friend, all the was the catalyst that inspired him to pursue a profession time. Then there are the research trips to see mezcal in the drinks industry. Today, he is the man behind the masters, during which she’ll try upward of 10 varieties Connaught Bar in London. His refined creations have before deciding on one. made the institution a regular fixture on the World’s 50 Best Bars list, put out annually by William Reed Business Throughout her experiences, Villela has never been afraid of encountering tainted alcohol. She’s never heard 9

of anyone going blind or being poisoned. She does, If the filing is approved, Amazon said it would operate its however, recognize that not all alcohol in Mexico is safe. storefront from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily, while deliveries Her advice is to drink local spirits slowly — don’t chug would be made from 8 a.m. until midnight every day. something unfamiliar, or try to mask it with lime. She San Francisco would join cities such as Seattle, Los recommends putting a drop of whatever you’re drinking Angeles, Chicago, Houston and Washington, D.C., as on your skin first and smelling it to see if it’s adulterated places where Amazon makes alcohol deliveries, if (tampered with). If you don’t like the odor — especially supervisors give their thumbs up to the proposal. one that is unpleasantly chemical — don’t drink it. If you Amazon originally applied for the necessary alcohol- do, sip it and observe your body’s reaction. selling license with the Department of Alcoholic With every chaser of arak I took in Israel, I felt more like Beverage Control’s San Francisco district office in a local and less like an outsider. The same was true when December. I drank ruou in Vietnam, or ya dong in Thailand. Alcohol can help take the awkward edge off when you’re traveling somewhere new. It can give you new cultural Westvleteren Sets Up Online Reservation System for insight. It’s a way to bond. And it’s fun. Buying Its Coveted The key to adventurous drinking is keeping your guard up Yahoo! before, during and after you’re doing it. Don’t proceed if By Mike Pomranz the contents of your cup, jug, gourd or bottle smell or June 17, 2019 taste off. Trust your instincts and read the room, Lowder These days, it seems like the only way to sell beer is to says. make each brew a once in a lifetime experience drinkers “If you’re in good company, and clearly the locals are will want to line up down the block for. Beer lovers have acting normal and having a great time, then you know become so enamored with the idea of hunting “whales” you’re probably in good hands and may be about to have that we’ve basically seen a “whale-ization” of the an amazing time." industry. But back before every beer became hard to score, the Belgian Trappist Westvleteren 12 was one of the earliest “best beer in the world” contenders that Amazon looks to start delivering alcohol in San garnered additional fervor thanks to its limited Francisco production and release. Yet, ironically, at a time where Online kingpin has filed to add beer, wine and spirits to its plenty of breweries seem to building such scarcity into delivery list their marketing plans, Westvleteren is taking the Mercury News opposite approach: You can now buy their beer online. By Rex Crum Westvleteren — like all Trappist breweries — is run by June 17, 2019 monks who sell beer only to support their abbey, in this Amazon could soon be delivering booze to those living in case, Saint-Sixtus. The monks keep bottles of San Francisco. Westvleteren 12 pretty affordable — just €2.50 (about $2.81) each — have a two case maximum per buyer, and The online retailing giant has filed a licensing request ask buyers not to resell. But thanks to the brew’s with the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to allow the reputation, Westvleteren 12 is often resold at exorbitant company to sell beer, wine and hard liquor in the city. If prices. In 2005, they added a phone reservation system, approved, Amazon plans to start delivering alcohol from but discovered people were still gaming the system, its Prime Now warehouse in San Francisco, possibly including, as Reuters reports, a Dutch supermarket that within a matter of months. was able to stockpile 7,200 bottles and sell them at over The San Francisco Business Times reported that Amazon $11 each. “It really opened our eyes,” Brother Godfried made the filing to supervisors April 10. According to the told the news group. “It was a sort of wake-up call that filing, which came from the law firm of Strike & Techel, the problem was so serious, that a company was able to Amazon also intends on opening a 200-square-foot buy such volumes. It really disturbed us.” storefront from which consumers could buy alcohol So the monks have decided to join the digital age: directly, in addition to operating its delivery service. Westvleteren is rolling out a new online reservation system that they believe will be harder to abuse and will 10

also give priority to buyers who have been waiting the compound for gold. The city of Johannesburg was longer. As an added bonus, for the first time, the brewery founded and built on gold mining. Au Gold is a triple will be allowing customers to mix all three of their beers: distilled vodka created by "Goldsmiths." Distilling vodka Westvleteren Blonde, Westvleteren 8, and Westvleteren too many times, even 5X distilled, can erase the 12. character and flavor of the spirit, therefore people blend without truly appreciating the spirit The monks hope that the new online system will make it themselves. Au Gold captures the character of a true easier for foreigners to buy their beers too — though one vodka. Long forgotten in the industry big, rich flavors thing that hasn’t changed: You still have to go pick up the with a smooth finish. beers at the abbey in person. But if you happen to be heading to Vleteren, Belgium, you can find the new Dumo Ndlovu, co-owner states, "People came here in the online beer shop at trappistwestvleteren.be. pursuit of better living and success. Au Gold Vodka represents that and celebrates how far the city has come. Lungelo added on CNBC, "Don't be quick to quit," Au Gold Vodka, First distillery in South Africa after https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHsRjimJFu4&feat Apartheid, Johannesburg, the City of Gold ure=youtu.be. PR Newswire Jay Z https://www.menshealth.com/trending- June 18, 2019 news/a19540810/not-a-businessman-a-business-man/, 100% black owned distillery, taking history and heritage and P Diddy own spirits brands to new heights, delivering their message to inspire the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%AEroc No doubt a US Market and the world 100% black owned distillery in Centurion, will succeed. It's not even a question when it comes to retailers in the CENTURION, South Africa, June 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - US Market, they want to carry brands with a meaningful -Vodka means the "water of life." message, cause and heritage. Retailers agree, new craft During Apartheid, blacks were no longer citizens of South brands drive and develop into the viral ones. Au Gold all Africa. They became citizens of independent started with an idea against all odds. Even though the "homelands". Blacks became (foreign) "guest laborers" vodka market is saturated in the US, a vodka with this who merely worked in South Africa as the holders of much history and promise is not passed up by the temporary work permits with no voting rights. industry nor the consumers. "Shebeens" (unlicensed establishments or private houses) were most often located in townships as an alternative to and bars. Indigenous Africans were barred from entering any bars, reserved for those of European descent.

After Apartheid, black people were able to seek their

rightful foundation and life they were entitled to after so many years of struggle. Fast forwarding to the 20 something generation in the 21st century: Dumo Ndlovu and Lungelo Fatyela, two

young entrepreneurs had a passion for distilling in 2013. Their vision was never lost and came to fruition in 2015. Their distillery pays homage to Johannesburg, taking This email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the use of NABCA members, free-of-charge. If you do not wish to receive this daily pride in the city and delivering a profound message: service, please respond with “UNSUBSCRIBE” in the Subject line. In addition, anyone can overcome challenges and follow their if there is another individual within your company who should also be receiving this service, please forward their NAME, TITLE, EMPLOYER, and dreams no matter what century. The residue that history EMAIL ADDRESS to [email protected]. Thank you for your time cannot erase, and the bright future will never be taken and attention as we continue to work to improve upon the services and for granted and is celebrated in Au Gold's fine premium benefits that we provide to our members. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author(s) and do not craft vodka. https://www.augold.co.za/our-heritage/ necessarily represent those of the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association. A lot of love, history, blood, sweat and tears along with "sipping on Gold" goes into each bottle with care. Au is