[BND] Kane's Beverage News Daily

Good Morning and Happy Thursday, it's July 2, 2026.

No Quick Reduction in High Fuel Costs Likely

Don't expect a "quick price collapse" in what you pay for diesel fuel and gasoline, Mark E. Menezes, president/CEO, U.S. Energy Association, said during Wednesday's (7/1) Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America webinar on how high energy costs are impacting beverage distributors. Menezes noted that crude oil prices peaked on April 7 at $113 a barrel. While the price has since fallen to about $70—a 38% reduction—diesel prices have dropped only 14.5%, and gasoline prices are down about 15%.“Prices

Calif. ABC Warns Suppliers on 'Pay-to-Play' at Venues, Including FIFA

The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has reminded supplier licensees that California's tied-house law prohibits suppliers from paying retailers to advertise the suppliers products on the retail premises. It makes no difference whether the retail holds a permanent license or a temporary license.

Manufacturing Activity Expanded in June: ISM

U.S. manufacturing activity remained in expansion territory in June, growing at a slightly slower pace as compared to the month before, the Institute for Supply Management reports. Of the five subindexes that make up the PMI, the New Orders and Production indexes grew slower as compared to the previous month, the Supplier Deliveries Index slowed at a slower rate, and the Employment and Inventories indexes improved with the latter entering expansion territory, said Susan Spence, chair of ISM's M

SPIRIT Act Has NOT Passed Congress

From The Spirits Business for June 30; "Yesterday (29 June), the Supporting Producers Through Incentives from Rural Ingredients and Tax Relief Act (Spirit Act) bipartisan legislation was passed." That is 100% wrong. The bill was only introduced on June 23 and was referred to the House Ways & Means Committee. There have been no hearings and no votes.

Florida Top Destination of High-Price Wines

The top destination for direct shipping high priced wines isn't California and it isn't Texas, WineBusiness: data, deals and insights, reports. It's Florida. Through May, the value of shipments of wine priced more than $100 to Florida was up more than 50% to $85 million. That's followed by Texas and California. But when it comes to volume, California still rules, followed by Texas with 27,000. Wine business provided case volume only for Texas.

Stella Artois: WFB (Work from Bar)

With nearly all FIFA World Cup 2026 weekday matches falling during U.S. working hours, Stella Artois – the No. 1 draft beer in NYC bars and restaurants year-to-date¹ – is helping New Yorkers catch every moment by turning Brookfield Place into “Work From Bar HQ” (WFB HQ) for the tournament’s knockout rounds. Now open, the 21+, open-to-the-public pop-up in Lower Manhattan features a premium sports bar setup with food and Stella Artois/Stella Artois 0.0 available for purchase, and even a bookabl

Wheatly Vodka Issues America 250 Bottle

Wheatley American Vodka ($16.99) introduces its limited-time USA 250thBirthday Edition commemorative bottle, created in honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. To celebrate the occasion, Wheatley American Vodka has partnered with renowned lifestyle expert, television personality, and American icon Sandra Lee to create a Wheatley American Vodka-infused Apple Pie recipe, inspired by a classic American dessert. Sandra Lee's partnership includes social med

What I'm Reading

Inside Robert Mondavi Winery's $200 Million Transformation

A private tour with Robert Mondavi Head Winemaker Kurtis Ogasawara and Brand Director Peggy Hemphill reveals the rationale and new visitor benefits of the $200 million winery renovation. (Liz Thach/Forbes)

Thanks for reading. We're taking the next few days off for the Forth of July. I expect the next newsletter will be Tuesday, July 7. Have a wonderful and safe weekend. – Joel