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BEVERAGENEWS
 A Sunset Special
The Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company is giving
craft beer lovers a new brew inspired by the golden sunsets of the
Northwoods. This past April, the 139-year-old specialty brewer added
Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat.
Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat is the fifth generation
brewer’s second new product launch in six months. In October 2005, the
company unveiled Leinenkugel’s Apple Spice, the most successful
seasonal launch in the brand’s history. Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat
represents the first year-round product launch since 2002.
Brewed in small, high-quality batches at their
brewery in Chippewa Falls, Wis., this beer features a slightly fruity
and citrus character, complemented by the gentle spiciness of
coriander. It is balanced with pale barley malt and spiced with cluster
hops and natural flavors.
Mojito Mint . . . Vodka? 
Van Gogh Vodka, the award-winning,
top-shelf flavored vodka company that brought you “Martinis Your Way,”
announces Mojito Mint, the newest in the brand’s industry-leading array
of in-demand flavors.
David van de Velde, CEO of Luctor International,
owner and exclusive importer for Van Gogh Vodkas, said this
mint-infused flavor is being released just in time for summer.
“We saw an opportunity to create a new Van Gogh
Vodka flavor with the rising popularity of Mojito drinks,” said van de
Velde from Luctor's Orlando, Fla., headquarters. “I think consumers
will be surprised at the refinement of the Mojito flavor in this vodka
–– it’s truly a Dutch masterpiece. The Mojito Mint also blends
perfectly with our recently released Espresso flavor-infused vodka. It
is a completely unique taste!”
Spur Rum Sales With the Rooster
The crowing of the rooster soon will be heard at
hundreds of neighborhood bars and liquor stores as Cockspur, the famous
Barbados rum, gains wider distribution across the United States.
A trio of Cockspur products will be available in
late spring and early summer. They include Cockspur 12, an aged rum
that should be sipped neat or on the rocks; Cockspur Fine Rum, perfect
for mixing with sodas or fruit juices; and Cockspur Rum Punch, which
may be enjoyed over ice.
“We believe that Americans across the country will
enjoy the three Cockspur rum products that we are introducing to them
as much as the Bajan community and Caribbean islanders enjoy them,”
said Ken Kossler, vice president of sales for Hood River Distillers.
For more information, call Ken Kossler at (503) 574-3693 or visit hrdspirits.com.
Pleasantly Pure 
Austin, Texas-based Tranquilo Imports LLC now
introduces Guaro Tranquilo to the United States. This South American
specialty (considered to be the national drink of Costa Rica) is a
white sugar can spirit –– not rum, but similar to it –– that has
been distilled for the past 150 years and only recently has been
imported into the U.S. market.
This extremely smooth liquor has the purity to match
vodkas and the versatility to be used in drinks calling for tequila or
rum. Guaro Tranquilo contains no additives or preservatives, no
artificial flavorings, zero carbs and is 80 proof.
Guaro Tranquilo can be served with any mixer
or fruit juice, or straight when properly chilled. It works wonderfully
as the base liquor in just about any frozen drink, as well.
For more information, visit guarotranquilo.com.
 For a Bolder Bloody Mary
Hot D Beverages premiered Hot D Wake Up Juice, “The
Original Bloody Mary Energy Drink,” at the 2006 Nightclub & Bar
Show in Las Vegas. Hundreds of samples of Hot D were passed out
in 2-ounce soufflé cups and 16-ounce bottles were given to prospective
customers for promotional use.
Hot D Wake Up Juice is a revolution in rejuvenation,
marrying the benefits of an energy drink with the refreshing taste of a
premium Bloody Mary mix. Hot D’s top quality ingredients were chosen
for their healthy and invigorating qualities. Hot D is not overly
spicy; the taste is of myriad flavors, combining sweet, spicy, salty
and bitter into a uniquely refreshing concoction.
“Taste was our main focus, but the fusion of Bloody
Marys and energy is what really made Hot D stand out in the beverage
market,” said Chris Pinta, creator of the product. “I found the reason
most people were drinking Bloody Marys were taste and the fact that
they needed a pick me up. The response at ‘The Show’ in Las Vegas was
incredible, as we received inquiries from bars, restaurants,
supermarkets and distributors from more than 40 states and three
continents. We're excited about filling the void in the energy drink
market by providing consumers with an alternative to the carbonated,
sugar-based energy drinks, but our main focus is producing the best
tasting Bloody Mary Mix in the industry.”
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