Last year marked the third consecutive year of diminishing growth rates in the beer industry, dropping 2.1% to 2.877 billion cases. According to the Beverage Information Group's recently released 2010 Beer Handbook, the beer industry's downturn can be directly attributed to the decline in the light beer segment. Light beer, which accounts for a 52.8% share of the U.S. beer market, posted its first negative year since its beginning 30 years ago.

Other segments of the beer industry differed in their 2009 results. Imports declined 6.9% to 359.6 million 2.25-gallon cases, while the craft beer segment increased 7.0%. Craft beer continues to grow at an extraordinary rate, due to the abundance of flavors and types that attract both young and old consumers. Expanded distribution also continues to be a key driver for growth in this segment. It is clear that the "trading up" trend that began before the recession has continued despite the changing economy.

The premium, super premium and flavored malt liquor segments all faced declines; but the popular and ice segments both had slight upticks due to their value price point and strong consumer bases.

The beer industry's future remains tentative with slow growth expected over the next five years as the country recovers from a struggling economy. Favorable demographics, continued growth of the craft beer segment and success of value-priced beer will help slow declines in the beer category.  

"The growth of the beer industry has slowed every year since 2006," says Eric Schmidt, Manager of Information Services for the Beverage Information Group based in Norwalk, Conn. "There are hints that this slowing will end in 2010, but projections are still forecasting a downturn in the short term."

The cost of the 2010 Beer Handbook is $755; handbook with companion CD is $925. Shipping and handling is $10 for U.S. orders; $20 for all other orders. The handbook and CD can be purchased at www.beveragehandbooks.com or by calling Cynthia Porter at (630) 762-8709.

SOURCE The Beverage Information Group

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PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) today announced a change of distribution for its Gatorade products in the key trade channels of Convenience, UDS (up and down the street) and Dollar from a warehouse-delivered go-to-market system to direct store delivery through both company-owned and independent bottlers in the United States and Canada. The company expects the change to become effective January 1, 2011.

"This is a clear example of using PepsiCo's broad set of go-to-market systems to best serve our customers. We remain dedicated to the existing warehouse distribution system for some of our beverage products, but the change to direct store delivery makes sense for Gatorade as we redefine the sports nutrition category through the G Series," said Massimo d'Amore, CEO of PepsiCo Beverages Americas. "As a company, we are committed to bringing a wider variety of products to market more quickly and efficiently than ever before."

This will be the first large scale step toward optimizing delivery systems resulting from the bottling acquisitions earlier this year. The expected synergies related to these changes are included in the company's target of $400 million in pre-tax annualized synergies from the bottling acquisitions once fully implemented by 2012.

"The distribution of Gatorade in key trade channels of Convenience, UDS and Dollar is well suited to the direct store delivery model due to its high velocity, so the switch will result in better store-level customer service," added Eric Foss, CEO of Pepsi Beverages Company. "By achieving greater speed, simplicity and flexibility, we will be able to better serve the current and future needs of both our retail customers and consumers in the marketplace."

Other PepsiCo brands that are warehouse-delivered to the key trade channels of Convenience, UDS and Dollar, including Tropicana, Quaker and Naked Juice, will not be affected by this change.

About PepsiCo

PepsiCo offers the world's largest portfolio of billion-dollar food and beverage brands, including 19 different product lines that each generates more than $1 billion in annual retail sales. Our main businesses -- Frito-Lay, Quaker, Pepsi-Cola, Tropicana and Gatorade -- also make hundreds of other nourishing, tasty foods and drinks that bring joy to our consumers in more than 200 countries. With annualized revenues of nearly $60 billion, PepsiCo's people are united by our unique commitment to sustainable growth, called Performance with Purpose. By dedicating ourselves to offering a broad array of choices for healthy, convenient and fun nourishment, reducing our environmental impact, and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace culture, PepsiCo balances strong financial returns with giving back to our communities worldwide. For more information, please visit www.pepsico.com.

Cautionary Statement

Statements in this release that are "forward-looking statements," are based on currently available information, operating plans and projections about future events and trends. They inherently involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted in such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: changes in demand for PepsiCo's products, as a result of changes in consumer preferences and tastes or otherwise; damage to PepsiCo's reputation; trade consolidation, the loss of any key customer, or failure to maintain good relationships with PepsiCo's bottling partners; PepsiCo's ability to hire or retain key employees or a highly skilled and diverse workforce; unstable political conditions, civil unrest or other developments and risks in the countries where PepsiCo operates; changes in the legal and regulatory environment; PepsiCo's ability to build and sustain proper information technology infrastructure, successfully implement its ongoing business process transformation initiative or outsource certain functions effectively; unfavorable economic conditions and increased volatility in foreign exchange rates; PepsiCo's ability to compete effectively; increased costs, disruption of supply or shortages of raw materials and other supplies; disruption of PepsiCo's supply chain; climate change or changes in legal, regulatory or market measures to address climate change; PepsiCo's ability to realize the anticipated cost savings and other benefits expected from the acquisitions of The Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc. and PepsiAmericas, Inc.; failure to renew collective bargaining agreements or strikes or work stoppages; and any downgrade of PepsiCo's credit rating resulting in an increase of its future borrowing costs.

For additional information on these and other factors that could cause PepsiCo's actual results to materially differ from those set forth herein, please see PepsiCo's filings with the SEC, including its most recent annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. PepsiCo undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE PepsiCo

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Spot On Energy™ announced today an agreement to be placed in 4,000 Circle K convenience stores by the end of 2010.  Point of sale placement provides outstanding opportunity for consumers to see and purchase a new item.

Spot On Energy™ patches are newly released to the retail market.  Many health conscious adults need extra energy to survive their hectic lifestyles.  Energy drinks, with massive amounts of preservatives, sugar and calories come with unwanted side effects. Stomach problems and nervous jitters are avoided when you avoid the digestive tract by using a patch.

The combination of favorite energy ingredients and the patch application provides the benefits of increased energy with sustained release for an optimal boost without negative effects.

Spot On Energy™ is available in many retail outlets, independent pharmacies, convenience stores, and Internet stores nationwide, including Amazon.com, Costco.com, Kroger, and Valero Corner Stores.  

"Circle K adds to the strong retail foundation for the Spot On Brand. We are thrilled to be joining this outstanding retailer," said Brenda Stoner, co-founder of Spot On Energy™. Circle K is placing Spot On Energy in a new energy display being deployed in their stores. The product will be merchandised by Acosta Sales and Marketing.  

About Spot On Energy

Spot On Energy™ is the leading brand for Enceutical Corp, a provider of health and wellness products to wholesale and retail markets. Located in Dallas, Texas, with sales and service offices in Peoria, Illinois, the Company is focused on coupling well known formulas and supplement ingredients with advanced delivery systems to create innovative new products.

For additional information about Spot On Energy™, visit www.SpotOnEnergy.com.

SOURCE Spot On Energy

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Honours are drawn level after a grand blind taste-off between more than 700 wines that pitted Australia's best shiraz wines against iconic syrah brands from France and other world producers.

For the first time, judges in the 'World's Greatest Shiraz Challenge' hosted by Australia's Winestate Magazine were unable to split the top two  – Hardys HRB D637 2006 Shiraz from South Australia and the 2006 Domaine Auguste Clape Rhone Cornas (syrah).

"It was an exhaustive contest involving different styles and price points and estate-grown versus regional vineyard blends – and in the end our judges found it impossible to decide a clear winner," said Winestate publisher Peter Simic.

The Hardy's HRB D637 2006 Shiraz is a blend of Clare Valley and Adelaide Hills grapes and retails at $39AUD, while the Auguste Clape is the benchmark flag carrier for the small appellation of Cornas with a price tag of $210AUD.

"A striking feature of the tasting is the emergence of more elegant and vibrant shiraz styles in Australia in a shift away from the high alcohol blockbusters of the past," Mr. Simic said. "The finesse of the HRB D637 makes it more food friendly and closer to traditional international syrah styles."

It was the 5th challenge organised by Winestate with an 18-strong panel of winemakers and masters of wine sampling 780 shiraz & syrah wines from Australia, New Zealand, France and South Africa.

South Australia dominated the taste-off involving the highest ranked wines with seven in the top 10. The 2005 Penfolds Bin95 Grange was squeezed into fourth place by France's E.Guigal Chateau d'Ampuis Cote-Rotie.

Wines tasted ranged from low budget to the highest priced wines. Panel chair Louisa Rose said the challenge highlighted that good drinking shiraz wines were available at great-value prices.

Results are featured in the September/October edition of Winestate magazine or by subscription to www.winestate.com.au .

The contest is managed by Winestate Publishing, the Southern Hemisphere's oldest and most respected magazine authority on Australian & NZ wines and the industry. Each year it evaluates over 10,000 wines from regions in Australia and New Zealand, plus international offerings.

Publisher and wine doyen Peter Simic says this latest tied score between Australia and Europe showed the relevance of extending publication of Winestate in the UK as a bastion for Australian wine information.

Winestate Magazine was established in 1978. Readership in Australia, NZ and Asia is over 80,000 and as the UK is the largest export destination for Australian wines, the publisher sees a demand in the UK for information on these wines.

SOURCE Winestate Publishing

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The Blue Light Refreshment Duo will soon leave Refreshment Headquarters for their next mission: Buffalo, New York, hometown of Labatt USA. They're prepared and ready to visit Buffalo's most popular downtown destinations on their way to the Buffalo Wing Festival on Saturday, September 4 and Sunday, September 5. Fans of the famous pair will have a chance to meet the Duo in-person at the Wing Festival, where they will set up their satellite headquarters near the Blue Light Tent.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100831/NY57407-a )

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100831/NY57407-a )

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100831/NY57407LOGO-b )

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100831/NY57407LOGO-b )

Some details of their trip plans will be revealed at www.facebook.com/LabattBlueLight over the next week.

"Our Buffalo fans have been asking us to come for a visit," said the Duo. "As the guardians of refreshment and protectors of good times, we plan on making sure that everyone at the Buffalo Wing Festival has a great time."

The Blue Light Refreshment Duo also will reveal plans to visit local downtown venues and bars at a press conference at their "Home Headquarters:" Labatt USA on Saturday, September 4 at 11 a.m.

For more on the Blue Light Refreshment Duo, visit: www.refreshmentduo.com.

About Labatt USA

Headquartered in Buffalo, NY, Labatt USA imports Labatt Blue and Labatt Blue Light daily from Canada. Labatt Blue is America's top-selling Canadian beer. First brewed in 1951, Labatt Blue offers a clean, refreshing taste, light color, slight hop aroma, good balance, fruity character and a slightly sweet taste. Labatt Blue Light, a light lager, won a Gold Medal in the 2004 World Beer Cup. Labatt Blue Light is the No. 2 Canadian import behind Labatt Blue.

Labatt USA, owned by North American Breweries, imports and markets Labatt Blue™, Labatt Blue Light™ and other Canadian brands into the United States. View and subscribe to news from Labatt USA here: http://www.pitchfeed.com/labattusa/1974.

SOURCE Labatt USA

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