Connecticut’s only trade magazine and comprehensive online resource for the local licensed beer, wine and spirits industry. Market’s Largest Product Source Brand & Price Index Local News, Photos & Columns GET LEARN READ SHOP MARKET INFORMATION ABOUT NEW NEWS, BE NEWS PRODUCTS & PRICES PRODUCTS ANYTIME INCLUDED IN YOUR SUBSCRIPTION PASSWORD TO ACCESS THE ONLINE PRODUCT PORTAL REAL-TIME PRODUCTS AND PRICES, ANYTIME, VIA MOBILE PHONE, TABLET OR LAPTOP ONLINE ORDERING 24/7 CONTACT US TO SUBSCRIBE CALL US AT 203.288.3375 | VISIT US AT WWW.THEBEVERAGEJOURNAL.COM JANUARY2016 FEATURES 10 Industry Event The Connecticut Restaurant Association honored members at its annual meeting and awards dinner. 32 Beer Column A light look from the sales fl oor on fi nding products you’ve never heard of. 10 34 Retail Review Switching gears in careers o ers success for one couple. 38 Local Chatter A Q&A with Peter Lloyd Clayton of Bartender’s Academy. 42 Lighten Up As drinkers resolve to cut back, drink-makers seek to lighten up as well. 44 21st Century Bartender Some leading mixology authorities worry that the art of 34 hospitality is going by the wayside. 38 44 January 2016 CONNECTICUT BEVERAGE JOURNAL 3 JANUARY2016 48 A Can-Do Approach A handful of wine and cocktail suppliers are lifting a page from the craft beer marketing manual. 50 On-/O -Premise Balance Shifting? In terms of market share, retailers are gaining clout across wine, beer and spirits. 48 52 Category Focus: Bitters Shelf-friendly and packed with fl avor, bitters continue to pique interest on- and o -premise. 58 Bar Talk Je Spear, General Manager of Sujeo, o ers Pan-Asian fl avor in the Heartland. 60 Vineyard View A Connecticut landmark remains a family a air for winemaking. 50 60 58 52 DEPARTMENTS 5 Market Point 35 The Find 59 Wine Buzz 6 News Front 36 Legal Matters 62 Prowein 12 Association News 40 Serving Up 64 By the Numbers 14 Around Town 54 New Products and Promotions 66 Trendspotting HOW BEER, WINE LIQUOR BRAND INDEX JOURNAL CLASSIFIED AND SPIRITS WINE BRAND INDEX SHOPPING NETWORK Page 1a GET TO THE BEER BRAND INDEX THE INDEX MARKETPLACE The largest compilation of beverage alcohol price and brand information. 4 CONNECTICUT BEVERAGE JOURNAL January 2016 See www.thebeveragejournal.com for online product access CONNECTICUT BEVERAGE JOURNAL VOLUME Happy New Year! If last year was any indication of our o01 JANUARY 2016 81 N local industry’s exciting vibrancy, we say bring on 2016! { ISSN 0744-1843 } We’re ready. PUBLISHER GERALD P. SLONE In our cover story, “The 21st Century Bartender,” some of today's top mixology [email protected] trainers assess the "state of the art" of bartending. Is it a smack down or slam dunk? We explore the idea that service is suffering in the duel between EDITOR & ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER DANA SLONE knowledge versus personality. [email protected] Awards and achievement took center stage at the Connecticut Restaurant DIRECTOR OF WHOLESALER SERVICES LAURIE BUICK Associations’ annual meeting and dinner. See who the CRA Board and consumer [email protected] voters honored. SUBSCRIPTION/RETAIL SERVICES BRIAN SLONE “Can-Do Attitude” investigates the return of aluminum as a cool package, with [email protected] wine and cocktails following the lead of craft beer. DESIGN EVAN FRASER [email protected] EDITORIAL ADMINISTRATOR SAVANNAH MUL [email protected] WRITER LAUREN DALEY SUBSCRIPTIONS & RENEWALS “The Changing World of Retail” focuses on the market share for wine, spirits and $40 FOR ONE YEAR $8 FOR SINGLE COPY beer tilting decidedly off-premise since the recession. $68 FOR TWO YEARS (Includes shipping and handling) Subscription includes Legal Matters takes a look at oft confusing but important aspects of staying in Web portal product user ID and password compliance (and keeping your liquor license). All sales are final. thebeveragejournal.com 203.288.3375 Around Town, Association News, Serving Up and Retail Review are among the many sections we offer to keep you connected to the market. Keep us Published Monthly By: Beverage Publications, Inc; 2508 connected to you by emailing the editor with your news and ideas. Whitney Avenue, P.O. Box 185159; Hamden, CT 06518 is devoted to all liquor, wine and beer licensees as described by the Department of Consumer Protection, Liquor Control Division. Note our upcoming 2016 release of the BevJournal shopping and ordering app Nothing may be reproduced or uploaded without written via iTunes for iPhone and iPad. It’s our gift to you. You can search, shop and order permission from the publisher. This includes articles, right from the app; and use the business management tools included, such as pictures, pdf files, online or electronic versions. Not responsible for unsolicited material or advertising claims. creating custom shelf talkers and printing sell sheets, to help you on a daily basis. The opinions expressed here are that of the individual One subscription, three market solutions that make running your business easier: authors and not necessarily the views of Beverage Publication, Inc. We reserve the right to reject any in print, online and via app. material that is flawed due to content or design. All advertisements and price list advertising are subject to the approval of The Beverage Journal which reserves the right to edit, reject or properly classify. Periodicals postage paid at New Haven, CT. Postmaster: Send address changes to: CT Beverage Journal, P.O. Box 185159, Hamden CT 06518 DO NOT FORWARD. National Coverage, Local Advantage The Beverage Network Publications are served by: Beverage Media Group, Inc. 152 Madison Avenue, Suite 600, New York, NY 10016 tel 212.571.3232 fax 212.571.4443 www.bevnetwork.com January 2016 CONNECTICUT BEVERAGE JOURNAL 5 NEWSFRONT CLYDE MAY’S WHISKEY APPOINTS NEW CHIEF BALLAST POINT JOINS CONSTELLATION EXECUTIVE OFFICER BRANDS PORTFOLIO Conecuh Ridge Distillery, LLC, Constellation Brands recently owner of Clyde May’s Alabama Style acquired San Diego-based craft Whiskey, appointed Roy S. Danis to brewery Ballast Point Brewing Chief Executive Officer of the Clyde for approximately $1 billion. The May’s brand. Danis most recently Ballast Point portfolio includes served as managing director of Campari more than 40 different styles of America, where he restructured beer, led by the popular brews sales and marketing teams, as well Sculpin IPA and Grapefruit as led a marketing agreement with Sculpin IPA. This partnership will enable Constellation Brands Bulldog Gin and a celebrity endorsement deal with to compete in the fast-growing craft beer segment and provide Wild Turkey. expansion to Ballast Point. CROWN ROYAL GETS CROWNED 2016 WORLD DIAGEO RECOGNIZED BY HUMAN RIGHTS WHISKY OF THE YEAR CAMPAIGN “Jim Murray’s 2016 Whisky Bible” named Diageo was recently recognized Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye the as one of the “Best Places to 2016 World Whiskey of the Year, making Work for LGBT Equality” from it the first time a Canadian whiskey has the Human Rights Campaign received the title. “Crown Royal Northern Foundation, who administered the 2016 Corporate Equality Harvest pops up out of nowhere and Index (CEI) report. Diageo earned a 100-percent score on the changes the game,” said renowned whiskey report, making this the eighth consecutive year Diageo was writer Murray. He awarded the whiskey listed as one on the top companies supporting equality for 97.5 out of 100 points. Crown Royal Northern Harvest was LGBT employees. The CEI rated about 1,027 businesses. first released in the U.S. in early 2015. The 90-proof whiskey is the brand’s first blended 90% whiskey with a smooth and spicy JÄGERMEISTER NAMES PROMINENT flavor profile. MIXOLOGIST SHINE AS BRAND MEISTER Willy Shine has been named PASO ROBLES WINERY NAMED AMERICAN Jägermeister’s Brand Meister. WINERY OF THE YEAR Shine will represent the Justin Vineyards and imported liqueur in the U.S., Winery in Paso Robles and travel the country leading has been named the 2015 development of Jägermeister’s American Winery of the trade education program. Year by Wine Enthusiast Shine began in his new role late Magazine. The vineyard November 2015. “Continually will be presented with learning and confronting the award during the challenges is what makes me annual Wine Star Awards Gala on January 25, 2016 in New tick,” said Shine. “I'm a passionate cocktail and spirits expert York City. Wine Enthusiast called the winery “as robust and and educator who has had the opportunity to travel to the ends relevant as ever.” The estate vineyard program has grown from of the Earth to see, touch, smell and taste some of this world's 70 acres to 960 acres, and expanded the winemaking facility by best cocktails and spirits. I'm thrilled to be taking on this new 100,000 square feet. Justin produces around 150,000 cases of official role as Brand Meister.” wine annually. 6 CONNECTICUT BEVERAGE JOURNAL January 2016 See www.thebeveragejournal.com for online product access JOIN US CLOSEOUT TASTING INVENTORY REDUCTION SALE JANUARY 13, 2016 1:00-3:00PM BRESCOME BARTON & WORLDWIDE WINES 80 DEFCO PARK ROAD, NORTH HAVEN, CT Join us for an inventory reduction closeout tasting. Our annual January Closeout event will be held on January 13th from 1-3 pm. This year’s event will be in conjunction with Worldwide Wines. Double the amount of product in one location. Some items will never return to our inventory, some will have amazingly deep discounted prices. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: [email protected] OR YOUR BRESCOME BARTON SALESPERSON NEWSFRONT MOLSON COORS ACQUIRES OWNERSHIP OF BACARDI RECEIVES RECOGNITION FROM MILLERCOORS JOINT VENTURE WILDLIFE COUNCIL Molson Brewing The employees at Bacardi Company announced Bottling Corporation an agreement with in Jacksonville, Florida Anheuser-Busch InBev were recognized for their to purchase SABMiller’s contributions to wildlife 58-percent stake in MillerCoors for $12 billion.