Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/948966
14 / the tasting panel / march 2018 INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT New "Blade" Countertop Draught Beer System from Heineken USA Targets Small Operators H eineken USA has announced the introduction of Blade, an innovative new draught beer system that aims to deliver a premium experience to on-premise accounts that may have considered their beer volume too low to warrant the invest- ment. The system, available for $437, guarantees brewery-fresh draught for 30 days and produces less waste. Blade fits on a countertop in a 12-by-19-inch area, requires no cleaning, maintenance, or installation, and weighs only 38 pounds. Blade operates with Heineken USA's proprietary BrewLock® system, which pushes air between multiple layers within an 8-liter disposable PET keg. By squeezing the inner wall and driving the beer out, the system ensures the beer remains untouched by outside influences and is served only with the natural carbonation already present. Blade also requires no keg deposit, costly line cleaning, or CO2, and "guarantees fresh draught even when you only serve a couple of glasses a day or week," says Blade Project Lead Cormac McCarthy. To order the Blade BrewLock Countertop Draught System, contact your distributor representative. The initial Blade launch will be in select markets with Heineken and Birra Moretti kegs. B acardi Limited, the world's largest privately-held spirits company, announced in January that it is expanding its portfolio of premium spirits by acquiring 100-percent ownership of Patrón Spirits International AG and its Patrón brand, the top-selling ultra- premium tequila. The transaction, expected to close in the first half of 2018, follows Bacardi's initial acquisition of a significant minority stake in Patrón in 2008 and reflects an enterprise value of $5.1 billion. According to the most recent IWSR data, this transaction will make Bacardi the number-one spirits player in the super-premium segment in the U.S. and the second- largest spirits company in market share by value in the U.S. market. Tequila is one of the fastest-growing and most attractive categories in the spirits industry, with Patrón being the clear market leader in the super-premium segment. "Patrón and Bacardi were both founded on the principles of quality, integrity, and innovation, and are driven by a sense of fearlessness— it's in our DNA," said Facundo L. Bacardi, Chairman of Bacardi Limited. "It has been a privilege being a partner for a number of years with a remarkable entrepre- neur like [Patrón Co-Founder] John Paul DeJoria." The Patrón leadership team, including Chief Executive Officer Edward Brown, Chief Operating Officer David R. Wilson, and Chief Marketing Officer Lee Applbaum, will continue in their roles. Following the closing of the deal, DeJoria will serve as an ambassador for Patrón in the role of Chairman Emeritus and intends to work with Bacardi in further advancing a shared dedication to philanthropic projects and environmental consciousness. Bacardi's Acquisition of Patrón Tequila Expected to Close in First Half of 2018