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Organic Booze

June 21, 2010 No Comments

I just got back from a trip to LA and my head is spinning with matters having to do with green in general and organic in particular.

I saw the following on a brochure for the Santa Monica aquarium:

“Printed on 100% recycled content, 100% post-consumer waste, processed chlorine free paper using soy-based inks.”

Once I got past the ‘post-consumer waste’ part, I thought, did they expect people to read or eat the brochure? But, these are important matters and we need to pay attention to what is becoming the “green” lifestyle. Including the alcohol industry.

The June issue of Cheers has a cover story on organic drinking. The following tidbit of information caught my eye.

According to the Greenfield, Ma.-based Organic Trade Association, sales of organic beer, wine and spirits were up last year. Organic beer sales totaled $41 million in 2009, up 11.7 percent from 2008; organic wine sales equaled $161 million, up 7.5 percent; and spirits were up 16 percent with $7 million in sales.

A drop in the bucket, sure, but there is a market for organic alcohol products especially in wine. In spirits, it’s the vodka category that leads the way with dozens of entries although Chatham Imports (Crop Organic Vodka) recently introduced Farmer’s Botanical Gin. In tequila, more and more organic products are entering the market.

The gist of the article seems to indicate that the organic trend in alcohol is here to stay.

A consumer friend who is not in the industry can best sum up my view:

“If organic means smoother, purer, better tasting, I’m all for it. But to tell you the truth, when I’m having a drink, I’m not thinking about hugging trees.”

Control States

June 9, 2010 No Comments

Have you been following the press about privatization of some Control States?

In case you haven’t, Wine and Spirits Daily (June 7^th edition) has a great score card on what’s been happening.

NABCA has issued a resolution in support of Control States. No surprise but people I’ve talked with have wondered why they didn’t do this some time ago. WSD reports that 4 states (NC, PA, WA and VA) are looking closely at privatization. So the debate must be getting serious.

I’m not sure I know how I feel about privatization.

Those who want to keep government involvement argue about jobs and the need for industry regulation or control in their jurisdiction. But the NABCA resolution states, “there is irrefutable proof that alcohol control systems have a positive public health and safety impact on their communities.” Does this mean that the 32 open states are not doing a good job in protecting health and safety? Or, that the industry, unless governed by state officials, will behave badly?

Follow the money. As WSD points out, in tough economic times, states will look to a range of resources to increase revenue including taxes, fees and privatization.

Hey, look at California – on the ballot this November is a voter initiative to legalize marijuana. The tax revenue from sales is seen as a way to help the state’s budget difficulties.

Interesting that the economic climate has created change in government’s involvement in the social climate. But I guess it’s always been that way.

Here’s a thought if you’re working in a state store that gets privatized – think about moving to California.

Beer Market Woes

June 1, 2010 No Comments

Today’s issue of Ad Age Daily has a lead story on declining beer sales. Ad Age Daily

Industry shipments are down 4% (Beer Institute); for the four weeks ending May 16, only 4 of the top 30 brands posted gains (SymphonyIRI); the big boys saw large declines – Bud Light down 5.3% and Miller Lite down 7.5%, both vs. 2009 sales.

How come?

I don’t think it’s the economy, beer held its own vs. spirits and wine at the height of the recession…why should it decline now?

Could it be the growth at the top and bottom of the beer market? Craft beers and imports are doing okay as are the price brands. Bud Light and Miller Lite are hurting and that’s enough to upset the entire category.

Maybe after a few years of substituting beer for wine and spirits, consumers have returned to pre-recession consumption patterns.

My view is that the marketplace is cluttered with light beers including new entries such as MGD 64 and Budweiser Select 55. Adding to the clutter is a barrage of new products, line extensions, brand extensions at all price tiers, especially the top end. And, let’s not forget about the growth in craft beers.

So, maybe it’s just that consumers are drinking less but drinking better. Those of us in the spirits world know that phenomenon well.