Diageo's dividend situation has deteriorated sharply, with a rebased interim payout of $0.20 per share and a new policy establishing a minimum annual floor of $0.50, indicating a focus on debt reduction over income.
The company announced the appointment of industry veteran Mark Munger as their first-ever Vice President of Marketing & Business Development - a role that didn't exist before but clearly needed. This isn't just another corporate reshuffle. When a 23-year-old company creates an entirely new executive position, it means they're ready to play at a different level. Why This Appointment Matters
Since becoming CEO of Molson Coors last fall, I've thought a lot about the need to champion not just beer - a cultural staple of conviviality for thousands of years - but the occasions where beer has played a role in bringing people together. And indeed, the beverage industry thinks in terms of "occasions," but it's obvious that we're in the middle of something culturally and economically, broadly thought of as strain on Americans' wallets mixed with what some have dubbed a "loneliness epidemic."
In 2025, legacy Oregon craft brewery Rogue Ales & Spirits filed for bankruptcy and shuttered operations, California uprooted 38,134 acres of wine grapes (in order to cope with overproduction and stymie future excess crops), and Jim Beam announced it would cease production of bourbon at its main distillery for the duration of 2026. An increasing push toward sobriety has flooded the market with nonalcoholic alternatives to traditional tipples.
As a professional bartender with years of behind-the-bar experience, I've tasted, mixed, and served my fair share of spirits - from obscure craft distilleries to globally recognized icons. Over time, I've noticed a recurring pattern: certain brands achieve fame, hype, or luxury pricing that their actual liquid rarely justifies. That's what I mean by "overrated." For the purposes of this article, an overrated brand is one that is sought-after, valued, or frequently discussed, yet, in terms of aroma, flavor, or overall drinking experience, fails to live up to its popularity, demand, or price point.
Charron, who has been in the motorcoach industry for more than 30 years, will replace François Tremblay on the ABA Board of Directors. Tremblay, president of Prevost, was honored for his nine years of board service at the recent ABA Marketplace in Reno, NV,
It's easy to be a little snobby about celebrity-owned liquor brands. These famous people usually compete with little knowledge compared to distilleries with decades, or even centuries, of experience. The reality is that some of them are quite impressive, especially with some notable bourbon brands. Others, however, lack any type of quality. They seemingly exist on the back of their celebrity-backing and significant marketing. I'm here to root out these brands and explain why it's best to avoid them.
