Makers Mark Keeneland Commemorative bottle to benefit Horse Mania
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Colorful life-sized horse statues will return to the community this summer and fall for the third installment of Horse Mania, an initiative put on by LexArts, greater Lexington’s premier cultural development, advocacy and fundraising organization.
Horse Mania instills an understanding and enjoyment of public art. This year, Horse Mania is supported by the annual release of a commemorative Maker’s Mark® Bourbon bottle in partnership with Keeneland Race Course.
“No other public art initiative in our city’s history has captured the hearts and imaginations of Lexingtonians and visitors like Horse Mania,” said Ame Sweetall, LexArts President and CEO. “Public art is a hallmark of all great American cities and LexArts is thrilled to have the support of two iconic Kentucky brands, Keeneland and Maker’s Mark, in bringing Horse Mania to the streets of Lexington once again.”
For the second year, the commemorative bottle will feature one of three distinct label designs featuring the work of artists Sandra Oppegard, Andre Pater or Tyler Robertson. The labels depict the beauty and history of Thoroughbred racing.
Each bottle is signed by the artist who created the design, along with Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin, Maker’s Mark Eighth Generation Whisky Maker & Managing Director Rob Samuels and one of three of the winningest female riders in Keeneland history: Julie Krone, Rosie Napravnik and Donna Barton Brothers.
Maker’s Mark and Keeneland have collaborated on a commemorative bottle release every year since 1997, raising millions of dollars for a variety of worthy causes throughout Central Kentucky.
“At Maker’s Mark, we share LexArts’ commitment to celebrating and encouraging public art, such as those at our distillery in Loretto,” said Eighth Generation Whisky Maker & Managing Director Rob Samuels. “I’m proud our long partnership with Keeneland allows us to support the popular Horse Mania in such a meaningful way.”
The three bottles will go on sale Friday, April 8, opening day of Keeneland’s 2022 Spring Meet.
The Finnish Long Drink heads to Wisconsin
The Finnish Long Drink — the citrus soda made with real liquor, built on the heritage of the legendary Finnish alcohol category of long drinks — has announced new statewide distribution into the Wisconsin market and is for sale in over 400 locations already.
Marking the brand’s next stage of expansion, after launching in Colorado, Arizona, Florida, South Carolina, Massachusetts, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan last year, The Finnish Long Drink will be exclusively distributed in Wisconsin by Badger Liquor.
“One of the first U.S. based batches of the long drink were made in La Crosse, WI, and it was important for us to partner with Badger Liquor due to their extensive expertise in the market,” says Evan Burns, CEO and Co-Founder of The Finnish Long Drink. “This partnership will allow us to grow long lasting relationships with their existing customers to ensure people across Wisconsin will be able to find The Finnish Long Drink in their favorite bars, restaurants and retailers.”
Made with real liquor and fresh, sparkling citrus, the long drink was born from a desire to create a revolutionary liquor drink that was refreshing, delicious, and fast to serve during the 1952 Summer Olympic Games in Helsinki. Since then, it has become Finland’s top selling liquor category. Now, The Finnish Long Drink is on a mission to bring the national drink of Finland to America, for the nation to experience the refreshing, unique, and legendary Finnish Long Drink.
With four refreshing expressions, The Finnish Long Drink is now distributed in 26 U.S. markets, including California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Arkansas, Nebraska, Louisiana, Kentucky, Iowa, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.
It is easily available via Drizly and on thelongdrink.com. Further distribution markets are to be announced soon.
21st Amendment Brewery releases re-imagined
flagship IPA and adds a new hazy IPA
21st Amendment Brewery brings its iconic West Coast IPA, Brew Free! Or Die IPA, forward into the modern era of IPAs with a fresh new look and taste. The new Brew Free! Or Die IPA (6.8% ABV) is a re-imagined 2022 West Coast IPA with a clear, bright appearance, snappy bitterness and fresh-on-the-scene hops with Comet, Simcoe and El Dorado. Its light golden color is teeming with crisp notes of juicy grapefruit, lemongrass, and herbal dank aromas. In addition, the packaging has been refreshed with a bright green theme to more accurately reflect the essence of the hoppy beer inside.
21st Amendment is also broadening its core IPA line for spring 2022. In addition to their reinvented flagship IPA, fan-favorite Brew Free! Blood Orange, and Brew Free! Tropical, they are also adding a brand-new spring release, Brew Free! Or Die Hazy IPA to the lineup.
Brew Free! Or Die Hazy IPA (6.5% ABV) looks at life through a different set of lenses and gets a little hazy with its lush creamy texture, stone fruit-forward aromas, and creamsicle foamy head. Its turbid pale color is developed from an abundance of White Wheat, Rolled Oats, Flaked Wheat, and 2-Row for higher protein content and a silky mouthfeel. The subdued bitterness and massive hop deliciousness from Idaho 7, Citra, and Simcoe hops make this an easy-drinking hazy IPA suitable for any occasion.
The new Brew Free! Or Die IPA and Brew Free! Or Die Hazy IPA are now available year-round in 6 packs and draft in all 34 states where 21st Amendment distributes. For more information and to find some using their beer finder, please visit www.21st-Amendment.com.
Hops & Spirits 