Off-Premise Slides, Tequila Cools, Kentucky Draws a Second Bidder

Circana: Off-Premise Bev-Alc Dollar Sales Down 2.2%. Beer and wine losses again dragged weekly off-premise sales, per Circana data reported by Brewbound, a read on whether the slide holds through the summer window. (Brewbound) Don Julio Sales Down 19%, Yahoo Finance Reports. A reported double-digit decline at one of tequila's anchor brands raises the question of whether the category's decade-long run is flattening. (Yahoo! Finance) KEG 1 Signs LOI for RNDC's Kentucky Assets. A second suitor emerged for RNDC's Kentucky book within a week, putting the state's route-to-market in play, though the deal is only a letter of intent. (BevNET, Brewbound) Diageo Outlines U.S. Recovery Plan After 11.5% Decline. Diageo's new North America leadership presented a growth plan to analysts after core U.S. spirits sales fell 11.5%, setting priorities distributors will be asked to execute. (Shanken News Daily) Bipartisan Bill Would Regulate Hemp THC Drinks Like Alcohol. U.S. representatives introduced legislation placing hemp-derived THC beverages under an alcohol-style framework, a competitive and compliance question for bev-alc operators. (Just Drinks, Brewbound) Also moving today: Labour urged to cut whisky duty amid planned Diageo job cuts (The National, caithness-business.co.uk) Heineken puts money on the table to drive regenerative barley adoption (AgNavigator.com) Get AlcBev in Five in your inbox every weekday: https://alcbevinfive.com