Craft Beer & Spirits — 2026-09-07
The craft spirits landscape saw significant activity this week with Virginia Distillery Co. expanding its "Brewer’s Coalition" collaboration series and a new wave of independent whiskey bottlings from the ImpEx Collection. Industry trends continue to solidify around non-alcoholic options becoming a mandatory category for bars, while distribution giants like Gulf Distributing make strategic hires to grow their spirits divisions.
Craft Beer & Spirits — 2026-09-07
New Releases
Virginia Distillery Co. Expands The Brewer’s Coalition Virginia Distillery Co. has announced two new September releases as part of its ongoing collaboration series, "The Brewer’s Coalition." This initiative pairs their spirits with distinct brewing partners, continuing a trend of cross-category innovation that appeals to both whiskey and beer enthusiasts.
Whiskey Network Features ImpEx Collection For September 2026, the Whiskey Network is highlighting the ImpEx Collection, an impressive independent bottling collection that offers a deep dive into the character of various featured brands. This spotlight underscores the growing consumer interest in independent bottlers who curate unique cask selections.
Tasting Notes
Stillman’s Sonder Bourbon & American Single Malt A standout release from the recent weeks is Stillman’s Sonder, a new label from a distillery that has quickly earned its keep. The debut includes a 10-year bourbon and a 10-year American single malt, both aged in Andean and American oak with double-oaked components to achieve concentrated texture. The bourbon notably earned Double Gold and 98 points at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Industry Watch
Gulf Distributing Hires First Spirits Director In a move to strengthen its portfolio, Gulf Distributing has hired its first-ever Spirits Director. This strategic hire signals the distributor's intent to aggressively grow its spirits division, reflecting the broader industry trend where distributors are specializing their leadership to navigate the complex spirits market.
Non-Alcoholic Beer Becomes "Mandatory" Category Recent industry analysis indicates that non-alcoholic (N/A) beer has transitioned from a niche offering to a permanent, mandatory category for serious bars and restaurants. In 2026, having high-quality N/A options—particularly N/A IPAs and craft lagers—is considered as essential as stocking light beers. This shift is driven by craft producers who are rapidly improving the quality of N/A offerings, making them viable alternatives for mainstream consumers.
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