[BND] Kane's Beverage News Daily

Good Morning and Happy Monday, September 5, 2026

Major Shareholder Rejects Sazerac Bid to Acquire Berentzen-Gruppe AG

Aevum, a Swiss pension fund, said the Sazerac Co.'s price is too low and doesn't fully reflect the German distiller's value. The fund, which holds about 10% of the company, said it will not accept Sazerac's offer and added it is continuing to increase it stake in Berentzen. Sazerac's bid is about 70% above Barentzen's share price before Bloomberg first reported the deal. But Aevum isn't the only entity to say the bid is too low. Analyst at Montega AG value Berentzen at about $7.86 a share.

Wes Henderson is Out as CEO Due to Allegations of Misconduct

Wes Henderson, co-founder of Angel's Envy, and CEO of TKC Distilling, the company behind The Kentucky Castle, the landmark resort he bought in 2023 for $19 million, and True Story Whiskey has been fired. He is accused of secretly firming dozens of family members and guests at the Castle and his Florida vacation home. “Wes unequivocally denies the allegations in the lawsuit,” his attorney said in a statement to the Lexington Herald-Leader, which first broke the story. “It is our understanding

September BPI Steady, Tops Prior 2 Years

The National Beer Wholesalers Association's Beer Purchasers' Index rose 11 points a year ago to 39 in September while dipping one point from August. Coupled with a relatively higher At-Risk Inventory reading of 54, the results place the beer industry in a contractionary position heading into the fall. Compared to September 2025, all segments recorded higher year-over-year readings, led by Below Premium at 46. All segments except Premium Lights stayed even or improved from August 2026.

Control State Results Weaken in August: NABCA

Control state results were generally weaker in August, the National Alcoholic Beverage Control Association reported. While Michigan benefited from three additional selling days compared to the prior year, overall performance remained negative. Continued promotional activity in New Hampshire and increased consumer demand associated with the start of the college football season in West Virginia provided two notable bright spots. Spirits sales declined in August compared to the prior year, with 9

Custom Crush Winery Closes, Leaves Vintners Scrambling

Legend Napa Valley, a custom crush winery on a hilltop in Napa County's American Canyon, gave its customers no notice it was shutting down in the middle of harvest season. The move left winemakers panicked and scrambling, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.. Not only did the winemakers have to find new custom crush facilities, but they also had to arrange for the removal of the existing wine that is fermenting and any equipment they had at the winery. One winery operator said it cost him more

2 Wineries File Preliminary Injunction Motions Against Napa Restrictions

Two Napa Valley wineries filed three emergency motions on September 30 asking a federal court to let them keep doing business the way they always have — without a multimillion-dollar road bill, without new barriers to hosting visitors and events, and without threats of fines for pouring wine tastings by appointment, as both wineries have done for decades. The two wineries are Summit Lake Vineyards & Winery and Smith-Madrone Winery. "Our clients aren't asking the Court to break new ground — the

Martignetti Cos. to Acquire Girardi Distributors

Martignetti Cos., the leading distributor of wines, spirits, and beer in New England, said it agreed to acquire Girardi Distributors, LLC in Massachusetts, marking another milestone in its growth strategy. Girardi Distributors, LLC is a fourth-generation, family-owned beverage distributor established in 1933 and services the Western and Central Massachusetts markets from facilities in Athol and Pittsfield, Mass. The Company represents the Anheuser-Busch portfolio as well as a range of other be

FTC Settles with Southern Glazer's, Says It Protects Small Businesses

The Federal Trade Commission said it reached a settlement agreement with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits LLC, the nation’s largest wine and spirits distributor, to address allegedly illegal price-discrimination practices and help small businesses compete with large chain retailers. The sweeping settlement covers nearly all Southern wine and spirits sales to the five largest chain retailers in 26 states.

He Knew a Deadline Loomed on Selling THC Beverages, and Now He's Whining

In Dec. 189, 2025, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine line-item vetoed a part of Senate Bill 56 that would have allowed THC drinks to remain on shelves through the end of 2026. Instead it shorted the grace period to 90 days, meaning the restriction on selling intoxicating hemp and THC beverages took effect March 30. Ben Capodagli, owner of Cappy's Taproom and Bottle Shop in Loveland, gambled that legal challenges would let him keep selling. That gamble paid off for six months. Now, he has to pull the remain

What We're Reading--

• FTC Puts New Limits on Southern Glazer's Pricing.
• California’s Holy Grail: The Good $20 to $30 Wine
• And More. . .

Thanks for reading. I'll be back tomorrow.