Drinkhacker Reads – 02.11.2015 – Budweiser Branches Out, Hilhaven Sues Heaven Hill
Drinkhacker Reads – 02.11.2015 – Budweiser Branches Out, Hilhaven Sues Heaven Hill
Budweiser, that firm pillar of macrobrewing, is pleased as punch to announce a new product extension under the Bud Light umbrella. The Mixxtail series of pre-made cocktails will make its debut next week in Firewalker, Hurricane, and Long Island flavors. Not to be confused with the Straw-Ber-Rita, Mang-O-Rita and Raz-Ber-Rita macro cocktails it also makes. [STL Today]
In other Bud news, its now infamous TV ad has sparked up vigorous and frothy ire in the halls of Congress. Not really known for its rapid work output, collaborative spirit or can-do attitude, our national legislators surprisingly stood tall and valiantly defended our right to sip Pumpkin Peach Ale. [The Daily Beast]
In less “Bud”dy -like news… Hollywood director Brett Ratner is suing Heaven Hill Distilleries (which filled its 7th millionth barrel in a ceremony held yesterday) for allegedly trying to block his future plans in delivering a premium whiskey to market with Diageo. Ratner’s Hilhaven would be distilled in partnership with Diageo, and Heaven Hill is attempting to block 
it due to the two names being so similar. Ratner has now counter filed, alleging that consumers would simply associate the name with his house (Hilhaven Lodge) and the lavish parties he’s known for throwing at the estate. [The Spirits Business]
And finally today, Diageo is preparing its second special edition of Johnnie Walker Blue celebrating the lunar new year. Blue Label Year of The Ram will be in limited offering at a price of $260 for a 750ml. bottle. And apparently if you put four bottles side by side a Chinese scroll painting will appear. No word on what happens when you sync up your drinking with The Wizard of Oz and Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side Of The Moon.”
