Election time is fast approaching and the citizens of Washington State are being faced with two initiatives to get the state out of the liquor industry. The one that has received the most press, Initiative 1100, was backed heavily by Costco Wholesale of Issaquah, Washington who has previously lost court battles to be able to distribute alcohol through their own distribution channels, basically disbands the three-tier system. There is also Initiative 1105, which would close state liquor stores and license private parties to sell and distribute spirits. I-1105 has been backed solely by two existing distributors in Washington, Odom Corporation and Young’s Market Company (K&L Beverage Company). Continue Reading »

Maui Brewing Co. brewers of Bikini Blonde, Big Swell IPA, and CoCoNut Porter have expanded their off-island distribution to Washington State in a signed deal with Click Wholesale Distributing of Kent, Washington.

Click Wholesale Distributing and their sister Co. Click Distributing East will give Maui Brewing Co. availability throughout the entire state of Washington, including some portions of Idaho. Maui Brewing Co. beers can also be found in Hawaii, Oregon, and California. Continue Reading »

The housing sector is in the dumps. GM? Do they even exist anymore? Factories are turning off the power and schools are closing their doors, and banks and companies are standing in line to be bailed out by the government. The looming recession our country has been facing couldn’t possibly cripple the beverage industry…could it? The effects have already been felt as Southern Wine & Spirits of America Inc. is asking for $2 billion to refinance existing debt. The largest wine and spirits distributor in the United States, Southern Wine is seeking the help of Bank of America to bail them out. Continue Reading »

Although currently buried in snow, the Twin Cities have something to look forward to at the end of March. Starting the week of March 29th, Oregon’s nationally renowned craft brewery, Deschutes Brewery, will begin selling its beer in Minnesota. Continue Reading »

Indonesia may not sound like a big tourists location to do a little partying, but these days that is starting to change. Locations like Bali and Jakarta have become major tourist destinations. Tourism and changes in Indonesian culture have lead to the increase of alcohol consumption throughout the country. Continue Reading »

This story has been building for awhile, with many details yet to come, but it is becoming obvious that Amazon.com will offer wines for sale on their site sooner than later.

This could potentially revolutionize the way wine is purchased and explored by consumers as well as the way it is sold and marketed by producers. Continue Reading »