[BND] Kane's Beverage News Daily

Good Morning and Happy Wednesday, October 28, 2026

WSWA's SipSource Sees W&S Sales Stabilizing but Not Rebounding Ahead of Holidays

There was good news and bad news as Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America's SipSource analysts presented their assessment of the holiday season outlook. The good news: Declines are easing. The bad news: They project stabilization rather than a return to growth. Core spirits volume fell 2.5% over the latest three months versus a year ago, an improvement on the 4.1% decline over the past 12 months. Wine remains under heavier pressure, with 12-month volume down 8.0%.

Craft Tequila Grows 18.6% as Overall Segment Sags

Craft tequila is growing, even though tequila as a whole is a decling category. That's one of several interesting conclusions in a new study from the Tequila Report. The report’s 181-brand craft segment grew dollar sales 18.6% over the past year, while all other tequila brands declined 5.4%. Craft represents just 9.7% of measured U.S. tequila retail dollars. Other significant notes from the study: * 35% say they are drinking more tequila than they did a year ago, compared with just 9% ...

France Said to Seek Same Tariff Break for Its Wines, Spirits as Trump Gave Irish Whiskey

French minister for Foreign Trade Nicolas Forissier is said to have made the request directly with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Reports of the talks were first disclosed by MLex. Champagne was a major part of the request, but by including still wines and spirits, France sought relief for a wide range of its alcohol exports, rather than a single category. We sought comment from both USTR and Minister Forissier's office, but they had not had time to respond. We'll let you know what

Diageo to Close Guinness Brewery in Baltimore

The Guinness Open Gate Brewery & Barrel House, the first Guinness brewery in the U.S. in 60 years, will close Sunday (11/1). Guinness spent $90 million to open the experimental brewery, which tested craft innovations that could potentially be scaled. It open during the height of the craft boom. “While our Baltimore brewery will close, our commitment to bringing Guinness to consumers around the world remains as strong as ever,” the spokesperson said. Guinness still has another U.S. brewery in

Heaven Hill Phoenix: A New Bourbon Carrying a Piece of Pre-Fire History

Thirty years after the 1996 fire at Old Heaven Hill Springs Distillery, Heaven Hill Distillery introduced Heaven Hill Phoenix, a limited-edition, one-time 18-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey commemorating a defining moment in the brand’s history. Lightning is believed to have sparked the fire at Heaven Hill’s original Bardstown distillery. Wind-driven flames destroyed the 1935 distillery and seven rickhouses, consuming nearly 100,000 barrels of aging Bourbon. The loss of whiskey and f

Kentucky Distillers Assn. Honors Brown-Forman's Chris Morris with Lifetime Award

Kentucky Distillers’ Association said Brown-Forman Master Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris has been honored with the Association’s Lifetime Honorary Board Member designation, making him just the eighth person to receive the distinction. Morris, 68, this year celebrated 50 years of distinguished service to the Bourbon and distilled spirits industry, and recently announced he was stepping down as a KDA Board member after 20 years of leadership.

Patron Marks Dia de Muertos with Comedy Skit

On Nov. 2, Patron will bring La Última Risa - The Last Laugh to the legendary New York City comedy club The Stand, a one-night-only comedy show inspired by calaveritas literarias, the centuries-old Mexican tradition of writing witty verses that poke fun at the quirks and personalities of friends and family. Often described as “the original roast battle”, calaveritas bring humor and irreverence to Día de Muertos, offering a playful way to honor those who came before while celebrating those still

Smirnoff Pregame 'Upgrades' Wraps

Smirnoff is dropping the last three over-the-top pregame essentials this Thursday, October 29, for just $12.99 each — the suggested retail price of a bottle of Smirnoff No. 21. Because when you're the Official Partner of the Pregame, you've got to bring the party! This week's final lineup takes the pregame upgrades to its peak: ● A Vintage Photo Booth: To capture unforgettable memories at the party before the party. ● A Rideable Cooler: To show up to the pregame in style! ●

'Pearls Before Swine' Creators Artwork Featured on Russian River Brewing's Pliny the Elder

Russian River Brewing Co. will release a limited-edition Pliny the Elder Double IPA featuring artwork by Stephan Pastis, creator of the comic strip “Pearls Before Swine.” “Pastis has been an enthusiastic supporter and consumer of the brewery for years, so this collaboration is a natural fit,” said Natalie Cilurzo, co-owner of Russian River Brewing Co, “We’ve admired Stephan’s creativity and humor for years. To see his Pearls characters on Pliny the Elder bottles is a huge honor for us.” Pastis

What I'm Reading --

What if a gigantic El Niño is coming. Should California winegrowers be worried? ‘We built this land’: descendants of enslaved people are reclaiming their history across South Africa’s vineyards Slavery was integral to the country’s wine industry. Now a handful of wineries are addressing its legacy and righting the wrongs of the past. (The Guardian) Older Generations Still Thirsty for Wine Although wine consumption is falling, older drinkers continue to do their bit. (Wine-Searcher)

Thanks for reading. I'll be back tomorrow. – Joel