Anheuser-Busch to Distribute Vermont Spirits High-End Vodkas in the Northeast
Handcrafted, Super-Premium Vodkas Distilled from Maple Sap To Reach More New England Consumers
June 11, 2007
ST. LOUIS (June 11, 2007) – Anheuser-Busch, Inc. and Vermont Spirits today jointly announced Anheuser-Busch will become the master U.S. distributor for the Vermont Gold, Vermont Gold Vintage and Vermont White super-premium vodkas, which are regional brands available in the Northeastern United States.
Vermont Spirits are sold in Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and other select markets. Beginning in June 2007, select Anheuser-Busch wholesalers in New England will begin distributing the brands, initially focusing on licensed states. Vermont Spirits will continue to oversee marketing for the vodkas. The deal allows for potential limited equity holding in the future.
Vermont Gold is a super-premium, unflavored vodka handmade in small batches from pure maple sugar. Vermont White is inspired by traditional Tuvan milk vodka, triple distilled from pure milk sugar and Vermont spring water. Like Vermont Gold, Vermont Gold Vintage is distilled from maple sap. The use of early run sap from Vermont maple trees gives this vodka its distinct character.
Vermont Gold and Vermont Gold Vintage are the only vodkas on the market that are distilled from maple sugar. Because vodka is a neutral spirit, with no color or odor, it can be distilled from any starch or sugar-rich plant matter. Most vodkas are produced from grains like rye or wheat.
“Our vodka is distilled using the distinctive water, sugar and traditions that can only be found in the local heritage and ecology of northern New England,” said Duncan Holaday, president and founder of Vermont Spirits. “Anheuser-Busch appreciates the care and quality we put into distilling Vermont Spirits. I’m happy to be able to share our vodka with even more consumers through Anheuser-Busch’s strong wholesaler network.”
Anheuser-Busch is in the process of testing a limited portfolio of premium spirits in targeted markets in the Northeast, and the deal gives Anheuser-Busch’s distributors handcrafted, high-end vodkas to compete in the growing and profitable spirits market. Anheuser-Busch also recently completed an agreement with Margaritaville Spirits to distribute Margaritaville Tequila in Massachusetts.
“Vermont Spirits is a great-tasting, high-end vodka distilled from pure, natural resources,” said Dave Peacock, vice president, Business Operations, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. “Products like these distinctive, high-quality Vermont Spirits vodkas allow us to compete in this growing category in a limited way, while gaining a deeper understanding of distributing a liquor-based product through our wholesaler system.”
Craft or micro-distilleries are an emerging trend in the United States, much like the craft brewers that have experienced increased popularity and success in the U.S. beer industry. The American Distilling Institute, a trade group for independent distillers, currently counts 95 distilleries in the United States and Canada, up from five in 1990.
High-end spirits are growing at a fast rate. According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, the super-premium segment of the spirits industry was up 18 percent in 2006.
Vermont Gold, Vermont Gold Vintage and Vermont White are 80 proof and available in clear 750-milliliter bottles.
About Vermont Spirits
The current site of the Vermont Spirits distillery started as a tent set up by founder Duncan Holaday and his family on the Old Smith Farm in St. Johnsbury, Vt., in 1988. During the next decade, in between teaching and traveling the world, Holaday opened some of the fields on the farm and started organic gardens. His plan was to return one day and find a way to make a living on the farm. Out of this concept, the Vermont Spirits distillery was born.
Holaday started with a simple yet ingenious idea that capitalized on the unique natural assets of his Vermont surroundings – create vodka from maple sap. He tapped the trees on his farm for sugar, developed the springs for pure water and cut firewood for the stills.
In August 2001, Vermont Gold – super-premium, unflavored vodka handmade in small batches from pure maple sugar – was introduced in Vermont liquor stores.
About Anheuser-Busch
Based in St. Louis, Anheuser-Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 48.4 percent share of U.S. beer sales. The company brews the world’s largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light. Anheuser-Busch also owns a 50 percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico’s leading brewer, and a 27 percent share in China brewer Tsingtao, whose namesake beer brand is the country’s best-selling premium beer. Anheuser-Busch ranked No. 1 among beverage companies in FORTUNE Magazine’s Most Admired U.S. and Global Companies lists in 2007. Anheuser-Busch is one of the largest theme park operators in the United States, is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and one of the world’s largest recyclers of aluminum cans.
Handcrafted, Super-Premium Vodkas Distilled from Maple Sap To Reach More New England Consumers
June 11, 2007
ST. LOUIS (June 11, 2007) – Anheuser-Busch, Inc. and Vermont Spirits today jointly announced Anheuser-Busch will become the master U.S. distributor for the Vermont Gold, Vermont Gold Vintage and Vermont White super-premium vodkas, which are regional brands available in the Northeastern United States.
Vermont Spirits are sold in Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and other select markets. Beginning in June 2007, select Anheuser-Busch wholesalers in New England will begin distributing the brands, initially focusing on licensed states. Vermont Spirits will continue to oversee marketing for the vodkas. The deal allows for potential limited equity holding in the future.
Vermont Gold is a super-premium, unflavored vodka handmade in small batches from pure maple sugar. Vermont White is inspired by traditional Tuvan milk vodka, triple distilled from pure milk sugar and Vermont spring water. Like Vermont Gold, Vermont Gold Vintage is distilled from maple sap. The use of early run sap from Vermont maple trees gives this vodka its distinct character.
Vermont Gold and Vermont Gold Vintage are the only vodkas on the market that are distilled from maple sugar. Because vodka is a neutral spirit, with no color or odor, it can be distilled from any starch or sugar-rich plant matter. Most vodkas are produced from grains like rye or wheat.
“Our vodka is distilled using the distinctive water, sugar and traditions that can only be found in the local heritage and ecology of northern New England,” said Duncan Holaday, president and founder of Vermont Spirits. “Anheuser-Busch appreciates the care and quality we put into distilling Vermont Spirits. I’m happy to be able to share our vodka with even more consumers through Anheuser-Busch’s strong wholesaler network.”
Anheuser-Busch is in the process of testing a limited portfolio of premium spirits in targeted markets in the Northeast, and the deal gives Anheuser-Busch’s distributors handcrafted, high-end vodkas to compete in the growing and profitable spirits market. Anheuser-Busch also recently completed an agreement with Margaritaville Spirits to distribute Margaritaville Tequila in Massachusetts.
“Vermont Spirits is a great-tasting, high-end vodka distilled from pure, natural resources,” said Dave Peacock, vice president, Business Operations, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. “Products like these distinctive, high-quality Vermont Spirits vodkas allow us to compete in this growing category in a limited way, while gaining a deeper understanding of distributing a liquor-based product through our wholesaler system.”
Craft or micro-distilleries are an emerging trend in the United States, much like the craft brewers that have experienced increased popularity and success in the U.S. beer industry. The American Distilling Institute, a trade group for independent distillers, currently counts 95 distilleries in the United States and Canada, up from five in 1990.
High-end spirits are growing at a fast rate. According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, the super-premium segment of the spirits industry was up 18 percent in 2006.
Vermont Gold, Vermont Gold Vintage and Vermont White are 80 proof and available in clear 750-milliliter bottles.
About Vermont Spirits
The current site of the Vermont Spirits distillery started as a tent set up by founder Duncan Holaday and his family on the Old Smith Farm in St. Johnsbury, Vt., in 1988. During the next decade, in between teaching and traveling the world, Holaday opened some of the fields on the farm and started organic gardens. His plan was to return one day and find a way to make a living on the farm. Out of this concept, the Vermont Spirits distillery was born.
Holaday started with a simple yet ingenious idea that capitalized on the unique natural assets of his Vermont surroundings – create vodka from maple sap. He tapped the trees on his farm for sugar, developed the springs for pure water and cut firewood for the stills.
In August 2001, Vermont Gold – super-premium, unflavored vodka handmade in small batches from pure maple sugar – was introduced in Vermont liquor stores.
About Anheuser-Busch
Based in St. Louis, Anheuser-Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 48.4 percent share of U.S. beer sales. The company brews the world’s largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light. Anheuser-Busch also owns a 50 percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico’s leading brewer, and a 27 percent share in China brewer Tsingtao, whose namesake beer brand is the country’s best-selling premium beer. Anheuser-Busch ranked No. 1 among beverage companies in FORTUNE Magazine’s Most Admired U.S. and Global Companies lists in 2007. Anheuser-Busch is one of the largest theme park operators in the United States, is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and one of the world’s largest recyclers of aluminum cans.