Boston Beer Co.’s Angry Orchard cider, which rolled out nationally earlier this year, has expanded the brand with the Cider House Collection, a line of artisan hard ciders. Cider House Collection’s first two entries are Angry Orchard Iceman, said to combine crisp apples with notes of caramel and toffee; and Angry Orchard Strawman, which features ripe apple, vanilla and honeysuckle flavors. Both Iceman and Strawman are 10% abv and retail for $14.99 a 750-ml. The new offerings are now available in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington and California.
Football legend Mike Ditka is partnering with Terlato Wines International to relaunch his eponymous wine brand. The company has created a brand new line of wines and will look to expand distribution of the label. The brand’s line features eight wines to highlight Ditka’s career: The Player (featuring a Merlot and a Pinot Grigio), The Coach (Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc), The Hall of Famer (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay), The Icon (Cabernet Sauvignon) and The Champion (a red wine blend). They will be priced between $14.99-$49.99.
Heineken will launch two new beers — Amstel Wheat and Tecate Michelada — in the U.S. market this month. Amstel Wheat will roll out in bottles in the Northeast, Chicago and Minneapolis. This will be the Amstel brand’s first new product launch in the U.S. in over 10 years. Unlike Amstel Light, Amstel Wheat is a full-calorie brew, containing 135 calories per 12-ounce serving. Tecate Michelada will be available throughout the western and central regions of the U.S.
Swedish vodka Karlsson’s Gold will launch its second limited edition vintage batch potato vodka this fall. Karlsson’s Batch 2009 is made from Solist potatoes harvested in July of 2009 at the Mäsinge Lantbruk Farm in Cape Bjäre in southern Sweden. Just under 2,000 bottles of the vodka will be made available at restaurants and retailers in New York, Miami, San Francisco and Los Angeles beginning in November. Batch 2009 will be priced at $80 a 750-ml. Karlsson’s first vintage vodka, Batch 2008, was introduced in April.