The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States ( DISCUS ) is a national trade association representing producers and marketers of distilled spirits sold in the United States . DISCUS was formed in 1973 by the merger of three organizations (the Bourbon Institute , the Distilled Spirits Institute , and the Licensed Beverage Industries, Inc. ) that had been in existence for decades.
32-657: The American Whiskey Trail is the name of a promotional program supported by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States that promotes the distilled beverage industry in the U.S . The Trail was first promoted to the public on September 28, 2004. The trail was created in 2004 by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States . It is not a linear route, but circles through various points of interest such as historic bars, museums, coopers , and still -makers, with whiskey distilleries being
64-825: A gin and liqueur producer in Colorado ; Koloa Rum Company, a rum producer in Hawaii ; Limestone Branch Distillery, a whiskey producer in Kentucky ; Black Button Distilling, a whiskey and gin producer in New York ; and Tenn South Distillery and Nelson's Green Brier Distillery , two whiskey producers in Tennessee . Distilled Spirits Council of the United States Members of DISCUS represent approximately 70 percent of all distilled spirits brands sold in
96-466: A French court in Carcassonne, France , convicted 12 wine traders and producers, including Constellation, for selling fake pinot noir wine to US buyers in a scheme that lasted from January 2006 to March 2008. Constellation later faced and settled a class action lawsuit because it "should have known" that the wine was fake. In 2018 Constellation Brands was involved in a water rights dispute over
128-610: A final semi-annual code-of-conduct action report. (As of October 2016, the most recent semi-annual report on the DISCUS website was for a period that ended more than six years earlier. ) DISCUS lobbies on behalf of the distilled spirits industry on policy and legislative issues. DISCUS's team of lawyers, economists, scientists, lobbyists and public affairs professionals work to support legislation that increases adult market access to spirits products, including laws expanding Sunday spirits sales and spirits tastings. DISCUS also works to protect
160-768: A minority stake in Black Button Distilling, a craft spirits distillery in Rochester, NY. In April 2019, Constellation announced a deal to sell wine brands, including Clos du Bois and Mark West, to E. & J. Gallo Winery for $ 1.7 billion. In July 2019, Constellation announced it had acquired a minority stake in Montanya Distillers, a craft-rum distillery in Crested Butte, Colorado and a majority stake in Nelson's Green Brier Distillery,
192-833: A minority stake in a marijuana business. In August 2018, the company announced that it would invest an additional US$ 4 billion in Canopy Growth Corporation in advance of the legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada in October that year. The investment will increase its share in the Canadian Company to 38%. Canopy Growth president Bruce Linton said the additional funds would be used for international expansion and that future marketing plans included products such as cannabis-infused beverages and sleep aids. Since 2023, Constellation started stepping back from
224-486: A proposed manufacturing facility in the desert city of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico. The water was from the Colorado River, which not only supplies the water for Mexicali and the agricultural valley but is also piped to the mountain and coastal cities of Tijuana, Tecate, Rosarito and some areas of Ensenada. In 2021, AB InBev sued Constellation Brands after the company launched two new Modelo-branded beers on
256-574: A revival of the original Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey and Belle Meade Bourbon labels in Nashville, TN. In December 2019, the sale of Ballast Point Brewing to Kings & Convicts Brewery of Illinois was announced. Terms were not disclosed. In July 2020, Constellation Brands acquired Empathy Wines , co-founded by entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk . On September 15, 2020, it was announced Constellation Brands acquired craft spirits producer Copper & Kings American Brandy . In February 2022, Constellation
288-444: Is a grassroots website advocating for adult consumers to enjoy distilled spirits where they want, how they want, and when they want. Spirits United consists of professionals in the distilled spirits industry, partners, customers and consumers. By joining Spirits United, advocates have the opportunity to learn, influence, and engage on issues that impact the distilled spirits. Chris Swonger, president and CEO of DISCUS, said "Our goal
320-722: Is the largest beer import company in the US, measured by sales, and has the third-largest market share (7.4 percent) of all major beer suppliers. It also has sizable investments in medical and recreational cannabis through its association with Canopy Growth . Based in Rochester, New York , Constellation has about 40 facilities and approximately 9,000 employees. The company has more than 100 brands in its portfolio. Wine brands include Robert Mondavi , Kim Crawford, Meiomi, Simi Winery , Ruffino , and The Prisoner Wine Company. Constellation's beer portfolio includes imported brands such as rights in
352-444: Is to build out Spirits United so that spirits advocates in any city or state can be quickly mobilized to engage with their elected officials." The spirits industry has initiated and supported responsibility programs to promote responsible and moderate alcohol consumption. DISCUS developed an educational tool kit and distributed it to more than 3,000 health professionals. DISCUS has launched several initiatives to promote and preserve
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#1732775554757384-926: The Oliver Miller Homestead in South Park, Pennsylvania , the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History in Bardstown, Kentucky , the West Overton Village & Museums in Scottdale, Pennsylvania , Woodville Plantation (John and Presley Neville House) in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania and Allegany Museum in Cumberland, Maryland . Besides recognized historic sites, a number of operating whiskey distilleries are open to
416-496: The $ 160 million acquisition of High West Distillery of Park City, Utah . In August 2017, Constellation announced the acquisition of Funky Buddha Brewery of Oakland Park, Florida. In April 2018, Accolade Wines (acquired under the name BRL Hardy) was sold to private equity firm The Carlyle Group . Constellation had already in 2011 reduced its holdings in Accolade to 20%. In February 2019, Constellation announced it had acquired
448-615: The US commercial business; a brewery in Mexico; exclusive perpetual brand license in the US to import, market and sell Corona and the Modelo brands and the freedom to develop brand extensions and innovations for the US market. Constellation had formerly imported Corona and other Modelo brands to the United States and acquired the US rights to those brands as a part of an anti-trust settlement permitting Modelo's acquisition by Anheuser-Busch InBev. It now produces its own versions of those products for
480-465: The US, with Modelo serving all other countries. In 2014, Constellation finalized a joint venture with Owens-Illinois and completed the acquisition of Anheuser-Busch InBev's glass production plant, located adjacent to the company's brewery in Nava, Mexico . In December 2015, Constellation announced the $ 1 billion acquisition of Ballast Point Brewing of San Diego. In October 2016, Constellation announced
512-569: The United States to Corona , Modelo Especial , Negra Modelo , and Pacífico , as well as American craft beer producer Funky Buddha . Spirits brands include Svedka Vodka, Casa Noble Tequila and High West Whiskey, Nelson's Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey. Constellation Brands has two breweries in Mexico that produce Corona and Modelo beer for the US market. Those locations are in Nava, Coahuila , and Ciudad Obregón , Sonora . A third Brewery in Mexicali Baja California
544-463: The United States. Members are: Agave Loco, Beam Suntory , Bacardi , Brown-Forman , Campari Group , Constellation Brands , Diageo , Edrington , Jägermeister , MGP , MHW, Moet Hennessy , Pernod Ricard , and Rémy Cointreau . In addition to full membership, DISCUS offers a Craft Distiller Affiliate Member program with 80 members as of March 2014. In May 2016, DISCUS said it dropped its DISCUS acronym and would use "Distilled Spirits Council" for
576-468: The beginning of the organization's American Whiskey Trail, a DISCUS program promoting the cultural heritage and history of spirits in America. Launched in 2004, the trail features operating distilleries and historic sites in five states. Constellation Brands Constellation Brands, Inc. is an American producer and marketer of beer , wine , and spirits. A Fortune 500 company, Constellation
608-550: The cannabis-infused drinks market. reducing the stake in Canopy Growth Corporation and signalled that it could withdraw completely. In 1991, the company reached a consent agreement with the Federal Trade Commission to change the packaging and marketing of Cisco wine after the FTC alleged that Cisco's marketing was deceptively similar to wine coolers despite Cisco having a much higher alcohol content. In 2010,
640-521: The city in two decades. In 2017, the company began investing in medical marijuana. In March 2019, Bill Newlands became CEO. In October 2017, Constellation agreed to pay about C$ 245 million ($ 191 million) for a 9.9% stake in Canopy Growth Corporation , a Canadian seller of medicinal-marijuana products. At the time of the agreement, Constellation became the first Fortune 500 company and the first major alcoholic beverage maker to take
672-549: The cultural history of distilling and spirits in the United States, most notably in the creation of the American Whiskey Trail and the reconstruction of the distillery built by George Washington near his home at Mount Vernon . Since 2000, DISCUS member companies and wholesalers have contributed more than $ 2.1 million to rebuild the distillery, which was one of the largest whiskey distilling operations in early America. Washington's Mount Vernon distillery marks
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#1732775554757704-485: The distilled beverage industry from increased alcohol taxes and to reduce tariffs and trade barriers on spirits products across the globe. In 2019, The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States launched an advocacy alliance initiative called "Spirits United" in coordination with TIPS, an alcohol server and seller training organization, and the American Distilling Institute . Spirits United
736-739: The history of American whiskey production, the Distilled Spirits Council provides information and promotes a range of other distilleries around the country in conjunction with promotion of the American Whiskey Trail. The list includes two key rum distilleries – Bacardi in Catano, Puerto Rico , and Cruzan in St. Croix , U.S. Virgin Islands – along with various small distilleries. Examples include Golden Moon Distillery,
768-791: The main focus. The American Whiskey Trail consists of various historical sites – some with operating distilleries – that are open to the public for tours. Sites along the American Whiskey Trail can be visited in any order or sequence desired, although the George Washington Distillery is promoted as the "gateway" to the trail and is a common starting point. As of 2024, the trail map includes eleven distilleries and seven historical sites. Non-distillery historical sites include Fraunces Tavern Museum in Manhattan , New York , Gadsby's Tavern Museum in Alexandria, Virginia ,
800-642: The public for tours and, in many cases, tastings. Most are located in close proximity to each other in Kentucky, although a few are located in Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Utah, and West Virginia. Distillery sites include Angel's Envy Distillery, Stitzel-Weller , George Dickel Distillery , High West Distillery , Jack Daniel's Distillery , Jim Beam American Stillhouse, Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse, Maker's Mark Distillery, Smooth Ambler Distillery, Wild Turkey Distillery. In addition to sites and distilleries tied to
832-485: The scope of the company and its range of brands. In 2007, Rob Sands was named president and CEO. During the 2000s, there were multiple acquisitions, with some divestments later in the decade. Acquisitions included BRL Hardy (Australia) and Nobilo (New Zealand) in 2003; Robert Mondavi Corp. for $ 1 billion in 2004; Vincor International, Canada's largest wine company, for $ 1.44 billion in 2006; Spirits Marque One (owner of Svedka Vodka) in 2007; and Beam Wines Estates,
864-468: The short form of its name in order to "modernize the association's public presence". In 2018, it said it would further shorten the short form of its name to just "the Council". In 2019, under the guidance of the new CEO Chris Swonger, Distilled Spirits Council went back to using the full name, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. DISCUS developed a set of voluntary guidelines that they suggest
896-443: The spirits industry and council members follow. The code provides for a review board to review complaints about advertising and marketing materials in the marketplace. In 2003, DISCUS began issuing semi-annual public reports describing the review board complaints and decisions. As of March 2013, DISCUS has posted some "pre-publication" results on its website to show preliminary drafts of the content in its reports prior to publication of
928-946: The wine operations of Fortune Brands (which included several major brands such as Clos du Bois) for $ 885 million in 2008. The company later moved to a more premium wine portfolio, divesting Almaden Vineyards , Inglenook Winery , and the Paul Masson winery in Madera, California , in 2008, and its value spirits portfolio to the Sazerac Company in 2009. They sold 30 low-cost wine labels in January 2021 to E. & J. Gallo for $ 810 million including Clos du Bois. In 2013, Constellation acquired Grupo Modelo's US beer business from Anheuser-Busch InBev . The transaction included full ownership of Crown Imports LLC which provided Constellation with complete, independent control of all aspects of
960-678: Was incorporated as Canandaigua Wine Company, Inc. in 1972 and went public in 1973. Marvin's son Richard Sands became president in 1993 and CEO in 1996. In 1999, Marvin Sands died following a brief illness. In 1987, the company purchased the Manischewitz winery in Canandaigua, New York , and continues to license the Manischewitz name from R.A.B. Foods. In 2000, the company changed its name to Constellation Brands, Inc. to reflect
992-546: Was never finished due to environmental issues. Instead, Constellation is building its third brewery in Veracruz , Mexico. The company was established in 1945 by Marvin Sands in the Finger Lakes region of New York as Canandaigua Industries, selling bulk wine to bottlers in the eastern United States. In its first year, the company sold approximately 200,000 gallons of wine and had gross sales of $ 150,000. The company
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1024-476: Was reported to have approached Monster Beverage to enter into a merger with a combined valuation above $ 90 billion. In 2023, Constellation Brands sold Funky Buddha back to its founders. On June 24, 2024, Constellation Brands re-located its headquarters to a 170,000 square foot campus on the site of the historic Aqueduct Building in Downtown Rochester , the first Fortune 500 company to operate in
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