Jerry Steinman lived a long, full life and passed away Mar 25 at 99 years old. Jerry was an innovator and entrepreneur, who founded Beer Marketer's Insights in 1970. Over the decades the company grew into a comprehensive platform with titles Insights Express, Alcohol Issues Insights, Beverage Business Insights and Craft Brew News. His 4-page, twice-monthly print newsletter, later known as the "orange sheet," arrived as a truly trailblazing vehicle that kept people throughout the industry informed about the totality of the beer biz, not just their local market or company. "He was revolutionary," said consultant Mike Mazzoni. "He connected the whole industry, linking everyone together. He was miles ahead of everyone else." Former longtime Coors and Molson Coors svp Rob Klugman noted: "I cannot think of anyone who did more for the US beer industry. Any industry that has a knowledgeable and honest observer/chronicler is a fortunate industry. The US beer industry had Jerry."

Jerry Steinman lived a long, full life and passed away on March 25th at 99 years old. Jerry was an innovator and entrepreneur, who founded Beer Marketer's INSIGHTS in 1970. Back then, his 4-page, twice monthly print newsletter, later known as the "orange sheet," arrived as a truly trailblazing vehicle that kept people throughout the industry informed about the totality of the beer biz, not just their local market or company. "He was revolutionary," said consultant Mike Mazzoni. "He connected the whole industry, linking everyone together," added Mike. "He was miles ahead of everyone else." Former longtime Coors and Molson Coors sr veep Rob Klugman noted: "I cannot think of anyone who did more for the US beer industry. Any industry that has a knowledgeable and honest observer/chronicler is a fortunate industry. The US beer industry had Jerry."

Expensive discovery stage is underway in pair of notable federal lawsuits concerning alc bev distribution on the west coast. Just yesterday, district court judge in Western Washington denied Constellation's motion to pause the original dispute brought by distrib Olympic Eagle while the 9th Circuit considers the supplier's appeal. Recall, Olympic Eagle claimed Constellation wrongly terminated it in complaint last fall. Late last yr, judge blocked transition of the brands to Columbia in the territory by granting rare temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction, believing the distrib was likely right and seeing potential for harm if brands moved.

As opening day for baseball arrives this Thurs, AB's rolling out lineup of new limited-edition Bud cans "that capture the hometown pride that fans have," in 14 mkts, co announced. Cans will feature team logo, colors and for first time, "a unique city skyline integrated into the backdrop," and will be avail for fans of: Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, Cincy Reds, Houston Astros, LA Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Miami Marlins, Tampa Bay Rays, NY Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, St Louis Cardinals, Washington Nationals and Texas Rangers. AB hopes to continue momentum that its regional mkting approach has given Budweiser so far. In Apr 22, co improved by 0.17 share in states where cans were available, per IRI. Co pointed out too that in 8 states where it aired regional Super Bowl ad, Bud gained 0.06 share.

Is it high time for a Heineken acquisition in the US? Tho this analyst report makes no mention of Boston Beer (following last wk's squabble), here's yet another positing that world's #2 brewer will buy into the US in a bigger way. "At some point, Heineken will greatly expand its presence in the U.S. via acquisition, and over time become a leading player in the U.S. beer (or beverage alcohol) market," predicts Evercore ISI's Robert Ottenstein. "M&A is opportunistic, and partners limited in number," he notes, steering clear of specific timing or targets. But Heineken "is patient," adds Robert, laying out 5 reasons why an eventual US acquisition is "likely."

Ivan Menezes, ceo of the #1 spirits co in the world, Diageo, announced his retirement effective Jun 30, co shared this morning. And just 9 mos after moving up from North America prexy to global chief commercial officer (see Vol 24, No 143), Debra Crew will step into chief executive officer role starting Jul 1. Debra rapidly rose thru Diageo's ranks since joining Diageo's board in Apr 2019 as a non-executive director, before being appointed prexy of North America in July 2020. Debra will be Diageo's first female ceo, WSJ headlined. And once she takes the role, women will make up over 50% of Diageo's executive committee, release highlighted. She will make an annual salary of $1.75 mil and a pension contribution of 14% of base salary as well as an annual incentive plan, bonuses, shareholding and more.

Beer sales were softest they've been all year in tracked off-premise channels for the week ending Mar 19, according to IRI multi-outlet + convenience data. Volume sank 8% and $$ slipped 3% for the period. The first week this year with both $$ and volume down vs year ago.

Jerry Steinman lived a long, full life and passed away on March 25th at 99 years old. Jerry was an innovator and entrepreneur, who founded Beer Marketer's INSIGHTS in 1970. Back then, his 4-page, twice monthly print newsletter, later known as the "orange sheet," arrived as a truly trailblazing vehicle that kept people throughout the industry informed about the totality of the beer biz, not just their local market or company. "He was revolutionary," said consultant Mike Mazzoni. "He connected the whole industry, linking everyone together," added Mike. "He was miles ahead of everyone else." Former longtime Coors and Molson Coors sr veep Rob Klugman noted: "I cannot think of anyone who did more for the US beer industry. Any industry that has a knowledgeable and honest observer/chronicler is a fortunate industry. The US beer industry had Jerry."

Elements of Balance founder Steven Izen is well along in $4.5 mil capital raise as marketer of wellness supplements and 11.5-oz sleek-can drinks selectively adds retail banners and aims for profitable operation. Speaking at Expo alongside consultant Pete Popovich of Strategy & Execution Inc (SEI), which has helped with incubation, Izen, the entrepreneur behind popular Lokai bracelets, said canned line is in grocers like Wegmans, Meijer and Harris Teeter as well as OTG foodservice co and Amazon. Bristol Farms and HEB are in sights to onboard brand soon, with HEB taking on the capsules in Jun. The adaptogen-infused RTDs are offered in Energy, Focus, Calm and Sleep versions. To date, line goes direct to grocers or via broadliners UNFI and KeHe, with DSD not part of mix. As for raise, the money is coming in from mix of individual investors and VCs, Steven said.