According to a mid-September 2020 survey from the National Restaurant Association, nearly one in six restaurants (representing nearly 100,000 restaurants) is closed either permanently or long term. Meanwhile nearly 3 million employees are still out of work, and the industry was on track to lose $240 billion in sales by the end of the year.

Yet, to help bartenders, restaurants, and craft brewers and distillers, several foundations have been “showing the love” with financial support.

For instance, Spirit Hub recently launched The Spirit Hub Independent Distillery Preservation Fund, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization designed to provide financial aid and resources for independent distilleries nationwide. Starting in April, applications can be submitted at spirithub.com.

To date, the USBG National Charity Foundation has disbursed $9.6 million in the form of more than 32,000 grants to hospitality workers in need. These emergency grants of between $150-$500 were intended to supplement federal relief programs designed to help with larger, sustained expenses, the foundation reports.

In a statement, Genevieve Porter, senior foundation program manager for USBG, said: “We are proud to report that the Bartender Emergency Assistance Program's COVID-19 Relief Campaign was able to provide meaningful financial assistance grants to tens of thousands of hospitality industry professionals during the height of the 2020 COVID-19 crisis. Through your charitable giving, we disbursed $9.6 million to help Serve Those Who Serve Us.”

Noting that there is no silver bullet for the pandemic, the campaign provided much-needed funds to bartenders (84 percent), bar servers (14 percent) and other (2 percent) in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. BI

On Valentine’s Day, it’s traditional to give greeting cards, heart-shaped chocolate, the quintessential red roses and to go out for a romantic dinner with wine and candlelight, Yet, during COVID-19, celebrating holidays in restaurants and bars remains difficult. As a result, many essential hospitality workers are suffering severe financial woes from a lack of on-premise traffic.

The non-alcohol beer market revenue is anticipated to cross $29 billion with more than
3 billion liters consumed by 2026. The increasing trend of consumers reducing their alcohol intake due to digestive disorders and weakened immunity systems is expected to register more than 7.5 percent CAGR through 2026.

— Research from Global Market Insights, Selbyville, Del., on the niche market for alcohol-free products.

Throughout 2021, Sokol Blosser Winery is celebrating 50 years of growing grapes and making signature Willamette Valley wines. Founded by Bill and Susan Sokol Blosser, the company now is under the second-generation leadership of their daughter Alison, and son, Alex, as chief executive officer and head winemaker, respectively. In celebration of this golden milestone, the family owned winery offered a one-day 1970s flash sale on Feb. 2, selling its 2018 Redland Estate Cuvée Pinot Noir on its website for $6.75 for a 750-ml bottle, the same price as the winery's first vintage of Pinot Noir in 1977. The winery also is marking 50 years with an exclusive anniversary bottling of 2018 Old Vineyard Block Dundee Hills Pinot Noir featuring a retro label that evokes the brand’s original 1970s label design and shape. When it’s safe to reopen the tasting room, guests will be invited to step back to the ‘70s with 50th Anniversary flights featuring family favorites and library wines, along with special surprises for guests who arrive in '70s cars or who are celebrating 50th milestones of their own.

Ahead of Inauguration Day on Jan. 20, Atlas Brew Works rolled out two limited-edition craft beers to honor President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, which sold out within hours, the company said. Made in collaboration with OccasionAles.com, Amtrak Joe’s Pilsner and Madam Veep’s IPA were available online at OccasionAles.com. Brewed with Saaz and Mt. Hood hops, Biden’s namesake beer is a crisp, light 4.7 percent alcohol-by volume (ABV) craft lager, while Madam Veep’s IPA is a 5.7 percent ABV juicy pale ale, packed with citrus flavor from Mosaic and Citra hops, the company says.