[BND] Your Breakfast Briefing

Dear Friend and Subscriber:

Good morning and happy Tuesday. It's May 5, 2026.

Year-Over-Year Declines Continue

I wish I had better news for you. But during the four weeks ending April 25th, Total Alcohol continued to lag year-ago performance, NIQ reports.

WSWA Deplores House Farm Bill Failure to Address THC-Ban

"A missed opportunity." That's the best Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America could say about the House's failure to address the coming November ban of intoxicating hemp products in the Farm Bill.

COLAClear Launches Free Public Beta: Automated TTB Label Pre-Screen

This sounds like a terrific new tool for bev/all producers at all levels, speeding label clearances and new products to launch and at the same time reducing the workload at TTB. From the product announcement:

Veritas Vineyards Sold to Local Ownership Veritas Legacy Partners

Veritas Vineyards & Winery, one of Virginia's most renowned vino-tourism destinations, said it agreed to be acquired by a new local ownership group. Terms weren't disclosed. The company, Veritas Legacy Partners, LLC, was named specifically to reflect a promise to continue the work of Veritas Founders Patricia and Andrew Hodson.

Molson Coors Makes Biggest Investment in Live Ad Campaign

Molson Coors may not be the official beer sponsor of the FIFA World Cup – the position is held by Budweiser – but that isn't stopping it from heavily marketing around the 2026 World Cup, which is being held in the U.S. for the first time.

Silver Oak, Etude Wineries Pilot Bottle Reuse in Tasting Rooms

Revino Inc. said it signed its first contract with two California wineries to pilot initiatives to reduce carbon waste by reusing their bottles up to 50 times.

ALB Vodka Expands to Caribbean, Latin America, GTR

ALB Vodka, based in Albany, N.Y., and which uses the aviation code for Albany, said it took the first step toward significant international market expansion, entering the Caribbean, Latin American and travel retail including cruise and duty free.

Teamsters OK Strike Against Molson Coors Wholesaler

Teamsters Union members who work for The Beverage Market, a West Virginia wholesaler whose lines inclose Miller, Coors, Red Bull and Modelo.

Harrison Ford Co-Directs His Own Limited-Edition Glenmorangie

Harrison Ford has co-created his very own limited edition of Glenmorangie Highland single malt Scotch whisky – a dram uniquely tailored to his taste.

Gran Malo Offers Sweeps for Cinco de Mayo

Gran Malo, a flavored, spicy shot from Gallo and the leading spirits brand in California, renamed the holiday "Cinco de Malo."

Gérard Bertrand Sponsors James Beard Awards

Wines from Gérard Bertrand’s iconic estates will be served at key moments throughout the James Beard Awards Weekend , including as the exclusive wine partner of the James Beard Foundation’s Impact Awards on Sunday, June 14, at The Dalcy.

5 Days Late, WSWA's New Notes Reports Scotch Whisky Tariffs Lifted

Timeliness, the old adage goes, is the art and essence of journalism. Someone needs to tell that to the folks who produce the WSWA News Briefs, which awoke from its slumber yesterday morning to report that President Trump had announced he would repeal the 10% tariff on all UK whiskey imports.

Thanks for reading. I'll see you tomorrow. – Joel

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