Gourmet News

SweetWater Releases Summer Brew American Lager

Published May 25, 2023

SweetWater Brewing Company, the ninth largest craft brewer in the U.S. and a subsidiary of Tilray Brands, Inc., announced the summer release of SweetWater American Lager, a special edition of SweetWater’s flagship Lager, featuring American red, white and blue branding now available in over 10 states across the United States with national distribution coming soon.

Ty Gilmore, president, U.S. beer, Tilray Brands, said, “SweetWater’s American Lager is a salute to American craft beer and our best-selling flagship Lager. We hope the refreshing and crisp American Lager will be a staple at backyard barbecues, tailgates and get-togethers this summer.”

SweetWater’s American Lager (4.5 percent alcohol by volume) is a clean-bodied craft beer with a 100 percent premium Pilsner grain bill along with Crystal and Hallertau hops, expertly brewed for easy-drinking. The new American Lager is flowing at SweetWater’s flagship taprooms in Atlanta and Fort Collins, Colo., and is also available in 12-packs of 12oz cans at grocery and liquor stores, as well as bars and restaurants across the United States in Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Colorado, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Maryland, California, Kentucky, Minnesota, Texas, Missouri, West Virginia and Mississippi.

This Memorial Day weekend, SweetWater will also be one of the participating breweries at this year’s Brew at the Zoo from 6 to 9:30 p.m., May 27, at 800 Cherokee Ave. in Atlanta. To find Sweetwater’s American Lager and other craft brews near you, checkout SweetWater’s beer finder online at www.SweetWaterBrew.com.

One of Atlanta’s original craft breweries, founded 26 years ago, SweetWater Brewing is now the 9th largest craft brewers in the United States. With two flagship breweries in Atlanta and Fort Collins, Colo., SweetWater’s award-winning craft beers and ready-to-drink cocktails are available coast to coast and in more states than ever before. Inspired by the outdoors, SweetWater is a passionate advocate for healthy waterways and conservation initiatives. Through its annual Save Our Water campaign, SweetWater continues to raise funds to support nonprofit organizations fighting for clean water and habitat conservation, including the Waterkeeper Alliance, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust and Trout Unlimited.

SweetWater Brewery is a subsidiary of Tilray Brands, Inc., a leading global cannabis-lifestyle and consumer packaged goods company inspiring and empowering the worldwide community to live their very best life.

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SEG Folds of Honor Program Launched

Published May 25, 2023

Southeastern Grocers Inc., parent company and home of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, launched its sixth annual community donation program benefiting Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the children and spouses of fallen and disabled military members.

Through June 20, Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie customers can show their support for America’s heroes while shopping at their local store by donating $1, $5 or rounding up their grocery bill to the nearest dollar during checkout.

Anthony Hucker, president and CEO of Southeastern Grocers, said, “As we remember and pay tribute to those who have served and sacrificed this Memorial Day, we stand alongside their families who have endured tremendous loss and continue to demonstrate resilience. The Southeast is home to some of the largest veteran and military populations in the country, and we embrace the immense responsibility to lift up our neighbors who have given so much for the freedoms we enjoy. Together, we can make a significant impact and help create a brighter future for military families.”

SEG has raised more than $6.75 million for Folds of Honor since the beginning of its partnership in 2018. The contributions, made possible by the grocer’s generous customers, associates and charitable arm, the SEG Gives Foundation, have provided more than 1,350 educational scholarships for the children and spouses of fallen and disabled U.S. military service members.

Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, CEO and founder of Folds of Honor, said, “We are thankful for Southeastern Grocers’ dedicated partnership and patriotic support over the last six years. Each and every donation advances our mission, enabling us to make a profound difference through educational opportunities for the families of those called to duty. Our brave military and first responders answered the call, and many have paid the ultimate sacrifice; thanks to great American companies like Southeastern Grocers, we are able to give hope to the bearers of their legacy.”

Every cent donated during SEG’s community donation program will go directly to Folds of Honor to support its mission to honor the sacrifice of America’s heroes by equipping and educating their loved ones. Scholarships awarded through Folds of Honor provide private education tuition and tutoring for children in grades K-12, as well as tuition for college, technical or trade school and post-graduate work, including a master’s degree, doctorate or professional program. Since its inception in 2007, Folds of Honor has provided more than 44,000 educational scholarships for children, spouses and dependents of fallen and disabled military service members and recently expanded its reach to support first responder families.

For more information on how to give to Folds of Honor, visit a local Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket or Winn-Dixie grocery store by June 20.

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Nassau Candy Brings Stix Back as Clever Candy Straws

Published May 23, 2023

Nassau Candy, leading manufacturer of specialty and private label confections, announced at the 2023 Sweets & Snacks Expo (Booth #11948) its mission to bring back candy stix in a big way with the launch of its Clever Candy Straws.

Clever Candy Straws are a refreshing take on a candy icon: candy powder stix. While the candy powder might look the same, the flavor in Clever Candy Straws is more intense offering an entirely new experience.

“Newstalgia, new takes on a candy classic, is such a popular trend in the confectionery space right now, we wanted to develop a product that brought new attention to a longtime candy favorite for a new generation,” said Andrew Reitman, executive vice president, national brand confections for Nassau Candy. “Our new Clever Candy Straws line offers all the fun customers remember from classic candy stix like Pixie Stix, but with even more intense flavors to tickle their taste buds.”

Originally, Clever Candy Straws will be available in two versions. A 2.7-ounce peg bag full of single straws as well as a 15-inch giant straw. The Clever Candy Straws Peg Bag will feature popular flavors tropical punch, cherry, grape, and orange. Giant straws will come in over-the-top flavors cherry, blue raspberry, strawberry, and green apple.

Keeping with the look and feel of the Clever Candy brand, each straw’s packaging features brilliant graphics, including the brand’s signature splats in vivid colors and a joke. This allows Clever Candy Straws peg bags to be merchandised in line with other Clever Candy packaged offerings.

Clever Candy Giant Straws will come in their own standup box, creating an instant merchandising display that can be placed anywhere.

A bulk option will soon be available, with talks of new flavors and packaging options being introduced.

The Peg Bag and Giant Straws will be shipping later this year.

Nassau Candy is a wholesale manufacturer, importer, and distributor of confectionery and gourmet food products. Along with distribution of thousands of sweets and snacks to retailers across the country, the company also specializes in manufacturing and importing private label confectionery, and manufactures, develops, and merchandises customized souvenir, food, apparel, and promotional products.

From its six strategically located distribution centers in New York, Florida, Michigan, Texas and California (San Francisco and Los Angeles), and two manufacturing facilities, the company manufactures and distributes more than 10,000 products to thousands of customers ranging from the largest retailers in North America, to thousands of independent confectionery stores, corporate, foodservice, grocery and alternative market customers.

Clever Candy, a brand of Nassau Candy, is the source of playful and whimsical packaged and bulk confections that “make your sweet tooth smile.” From gummies, to licorice, to dextrose, to chocolate, to seasonal creations, Clever Candy looks to spark imagination and happiness in every bite.

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