JOHNSON BROTHERS | PHILLIPS | WINE MERCHANTS | ARTISAN BEER CO.

APRIL 2016 | VOLUME 31 | EDITION 4 1

On the MenuPINEAPPLE FIZZ1 Part Revel Stoke Roasted Pineapple2 Parts Lemon-Lime Soda

JUICY SECRET1 Part Revel Stoke Roasted Pineapple2 Parts Orange Juice2 Parts Cranberry Juice

Editor's Letter 1On the Menu 1

JOHNSON BROTHERSSpirits Division 2UBI Division 2Johnson Wine & Spirits 2On Premise Division 3Vintage Division 3Gallo Division 3

PHILLIPSSpirits Division 4Premier Wine Division 4Prestige Wine & Spirits 4On Premise Division 5Regal Wine Division 5UBI Division 5

WINE MERCHANTSPoizin Wines 6

ARTISAN BEER CO.Surly Brewing Co. 7

FEATURED PRODUCTSCraft Spirits 7

A Letter From Our EditorSpring has sprung! And with the arrival of April, so have our red-hot deals! The warm weather is sure to provide a boost to your business with customers flocking to patios and firing up their grills. In order to capitalize on this exciting time of year, we here at Johnson Brothers, Phillips, Wine Merchants, and Artisan have fantastic specials and new products to make sure your spring is a smashing success.

KINKY® Cocktails, the brand Beer Business Daily tags the most promising upside item in the FMB category, is proud to announce the addition of two new flavors. KINKY® Red is a refreshing and fantastic tasting mix of strawberry and watermelon flavors that is 100% delicious. The limited edition KINKY® Summer tastes even better than our favorite season with flavors of coconut, lime, and pineapple.

Also adding some fun to April is the Surly Brewing Company with their release of Surly Xtra Citra Pale Ale. This bright colored session ale explodes with Citra hop flavor and aroma in a deliciously drinkable brew.

Finally, Constellation Brands is proud to introduce their newest premium Cab, Ravage. This high quality California Cabernet Sauvignon has a decadent, juicy wine style. The flavors are smooth, bold and audacious – just what your customers are looking for! Be sure to ask your Vintage sales rep for more information regarding this exciting new brand.

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JOHNSON WINE & SPIRITS DIVISION

UBI DIVISIONArdbeg Dark Cove

Ardbeg’s 2016 Feis Ile release, Ardbeg Dark Cove, will appear soon. Its color is that of copper stills in moonlight. Its nose - dark chocolate, rich treacle toffee and distant bonfires - betrays a secret: a clandestine meeting of Ardbeg matured in ex-Bourbon casks and a heart matured in dark sherry casks. Hints of pepper spice and zesty lime lure you in. Smoldering charcoal and wood polish flit across the palate, with raisins, dates and ginger emerging from the shadows of tarry creosote. Echoes of cured smoked ham and squid ink noodles signal the arrival of a long spicy aftertaste. Take this whisky and hide it well; for it is Ardbeg's darkest spirit ever.

Now that Spring weather has finally sprung, Proximo Spirits is excited to announce the launch of their two newest flavors to their Ready-to-Drink lines. Nothing indicates Spring in Minnesota like margaritas!

The newest Premium Ready-to-Drink cocktail from 1800 Tequila is The Ultimate Margarita Raspberry!

The new addition to the Jose Cuervo Golden line is Grapefruit!

Both of these great flavors are proven favorites by Minnesota consumers. The time is right to add these two flavors to your Summer lines.

Be sure to ask your Johnson Brothers rep about pricing and programming for both these tasty summer sippers!

SPIRITS DIVISIONSpring is here and it is time to gear up for summer with KINKY® Cocktails. Beer Business Daily just called KINKY® Beverages a “big winner for the past year” and reported that “KINKY® Beverage Co. has seen their sales nearly quadruple over the past 52 weeks.” Beer Business Daily goes on to say “…there is still a lot more room for companies like KINKY® Beverage Co. to grow in this area as the current levels of CWD (category weighted distribution) still sit well below the leaders in the FMB segment.”

To help further the KINKY® brand we are happy to announce the addition of two exciting new cocktail flavors. First is KINKY® Red, a mischievous mix of strawberry and watermelon flavors. Then KINKY® Beverage Co. is introducing KINKY® Summer, a limited edition seasonal flavor which is a summery mingling of coconut, lime and pineapple juice. Both of these new flavors are sure to please and are so-good-they’re-naughty.

Spring is here. Let the flowers bloom. Let the bubbles POP! Bubbles compliment every type of food and mood.

Springtime SCREAMS bubbles, so why not choose from our extensive Champagne portfolio? Choose from brands such as Krug, Dom Perignon, Moet & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot and Ruinart.

Have you tried Prosecco mixed in a cocktail or sipped any lately? Try our Canti, La Marca, Ruffino, Bolla, Enza, Ecco, Candoni, Cupcake, Salvatore Principe, Barefoot or Gionelli. All of these are at a great, affordable price!

How about a sparkling Rosé? Try our J Vineyards Rosé, Etoile Rosé, Chandon Rosé, Rosatello Rosé, Bolla Rosé, and coming soon - Ruffino Rosé!

Don’t forget about our regular California Bruts! We have the Etoile and Etoile Rose made by Chandon. We also carry the Chandon line in Brut, Riché, Blanc de Noir and Brut Rose.

We are your one-stop shop for your bubbly needs. Contact your local Johnson Brothers representative for pricing and availability.

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ON PREMISE DIVISION

VINTAGE DIVISION

GALLO DIVISION

New from Constellation is a Cabernet named Ravage. This high quality California Cabernet Sauvignon aims for a decadent, juicy wine style. The intensity of the deep red color immediately draws you in. The flavors are smooth, bold and audacious. Dark berries layered with sweet vanilla and mocha oak characters to round out the palate. The tannins are soft enough to add balance, while giving structure and depth to the wine. Ravage Cabernet retains some natural sweetness from the fruit with a confident dose of new French oak to add boldness and integrates all the unique flavor components that will make your mouth water!

For more information on Ravage Cabernet Sauvignon, contact your Vintage sales representative today.

Introducing Viniq Glow!

Make every moment special with the smooth, delicious drink that shimmers when you shake it. A delicious combination of premium vodka, moscato, natural fruit flavors and a one-of-a-kind shimmer. Viniq is the perfect fusion of style and taste. Our shimmer is the same ingredient that gives frosting its shine on your favorite cake or the sparkle in rock candy and is safe to consume.

Introducing Peach Glow - A juicy, mouthwatering blend of premium vodka and moscato with notes of fresh peach, golden apricot and radiant apricot. The high overall peach flavor lingers in the aftertaste and finishes clean and fresh on the palate. Serve Viniq Glow chilled, with your favorite mixer or with a splash of your favorite bubbly.

PREMIER WINE DIVISIONDonald Hess became interested in mountain winegrowing during a business trip to Napa Valley in the mid-1970’s. With further research, he found that Mount Veeder mountain vineyards had the ideal combination of soils and microclimates to produce grapes of distinctive character and flavor. This venture became The Hess Collection where the appreciation for unique mountain and valley fruit is expressed through artfully crafted wines.

The two appellations that The Hess Collection sources from are Mount Veeder and Napa Valley. These wines include Hess Collection Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, 19 Block Cuvee Red Blend and Napa Valley Allomi Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Hess Collection wines represent a tradition of excellence that is second to none in Napa Valley. The results are consistent highly rated wines celebrated for their quality. Your Phillips sales representative has all the information you need to promote these fantastic wines.

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SPIRITS DIVISIONNew in the Revel Stoke lineup: Roasted Pineapple! This compliments the rest of the lineup: 80 Proof, Spiced, Pecan, Cinnamon and Roasted Apple. It is a premium whisky at a value price.

This brand enjoyed double digit growth in all of 2015! Revel Stoke Roasted Pineapple is the only pineapple flavored whisky. It is available in liters and 50ml counter units.

A perfect spring and summer whisky. Ask your Phillips sales rep for more details.

PRESTIGE WINE & SPIRITSPrestige wines continue to produce big sales and profits for the retailers in Minnesota. In April, look for the great programs on Luccio wines. April is the time to stack it high and watch it fly. The unseasonably warm weather provides an excellent opportunity to use all the types on large displays. While you are shopping the Prestige portfolio, make sure Starling Castle and Conquista are on the floor as well. Take advantage of these hot sellers to secure profits for today and tomorrow. Talk to your Phillips sales rep about the excellent pricing on all these products.

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REGAL WINE DIVISION

UBI DIVISION

From the Zonin portfolio, we present Castello D’Albola Chianti Classico. Castello D’Albola is known to come from the highest vineyard in Chianti Classico. The high altitude vineyards add greater elegance, aromas, acidity and more structured tannins. Grapes have been grown on this property since the 15th century. This blend is 95% Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo. The wine is aged for 12 months in oak, then 3 additional months in the bottle. This wine pairs well with roasted, grilled or barbecued meats.

Talk with your Phillips rep about the programming on Castello D’Albola and consider promoting this wonderful and very reasonably priced wine.

Crown Royal Cornerstone BlendThe first limited release from Crown Royal’s Noble Collection is now arriving: Crown Royal Cornerstone Blend! The Cornerstone Blend is a unique blend of three whiskies so essential they were moved throughout Canada in a special rail car to ensure their safekeeping. 750ml only. ABV 40.3%

ON PREMISE DIVISIONWith the weather seemingly turning into summer, it’s time to start talking about Rosé. With renewed interest in this style of wine, and sales rocketing in the U.S., it’s time to start thinking about this wine year round. While most everyone considers this a “porch or patio pounder” for the summer, there are some very serious winemakers around the world now making them for consumption all year. Below are the two most used methods of making Rosé:

The saignée method - juice is bled off the mixture of grape skins and seeds, after a few hours or a day or so. This direct contact with the skins is what gives the clear juice its color. A shorter skin contact time means a lighter color, from pale, coppery pink to deep, rich rose. Not all the juice is bled off - what remains is used to make a red wine of higher concentration in color and flavor.

For many, the best Rosé wines are made with the dedicated, direct press method. Here grapes are grown specifically for making of Rosé. Grapes are crushed and juice is pressed off 100% for the pink wine. The press time is shorter than for the saignée method to obtain the pink color, since there won't be a red wine made.

Talk to your Phillips sales rep about our vast portfolio of Rosé wines.

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POIZIN WINESWine Merchants is excited to present Poizin! 'The Wine to Die for!'

Two brothers, Steve and Bruce Cousins had the vision to make seriously great wine while having a little fun doing so. In 1994 they acquired the Armida Winery in Southern Dry Creek Valley to fulfill that vision. The brothers have planted the estate with Zinfandel, Petite Syrah, and Carignan, most of which is head pruned. They hired the current winemaker, Brandon Lapides, in 2010 who has brought his past experiences from Peachy Canyon and Dutton Goldfield to make some killer Zinfandel for the winery.

2013 Poizin, Dry Creek ValleyThe 2013 Dry Creek Valley Poizin shows beautiful, bright aromas of plums, raspberries, and blackberries. On the palate are flavors of anise, red licorice, red currants, and a little black pepper from the Syrah blended in. The 11 months in oak, with 20% being new, gives the wine a nice subtle vanilla notes and smokiness.

2014 Poizin, CaliforniaThe 2014 Califonia Poizin has a nose of raspberry, spiced mocha, jammy black fruits, and dense plum flavors. The oak aging adds some vanilla into the mix along with a little more spice. The California Poizin is a unique blend of Zinfandel, Petite Syrah, a splash of Sauvignon Blanc, and ‘secret sauce.’

Coming Soon! Antidote and Pink Poizin!

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CRAFT SPIRITS

Surly Brewing Company Minneapolis, MN

Available Packages: 16oz Cans & Draught

Xtra CitraYou’d think hops in the bright sunshine would make us happy, but you’d be wrong. It just makes us Xtra-Surly. This bright colored session ale Xplodes with Citra hop flavor and aroma, in a deliciously drinkable brew.

Put your shades on, and enjoy an Xtraordinarily bright beer Xperience! Ok, enough with the X’s. We promise. Cheers! 4.5% ABV

EL DORADO RUM – from a legendary land . . . discover a legendary spirit.

Lured by the legend of a City of Gold ruled by the gilded King, his body dusted with gold, early explorers braved the ancient heartland of old Guiana in search of ‘El Dorado’ (The Golden One). The legendary city of gold is reputed to have been Manoa, in the Rupununi region of the country.

Today we can discover the true gold of Guyana, El Dorado Rum – a range of superb Demerara rums of unequalled quality and variety which have consistently won the highest international awards.

Their unique flavors and taste is much due to the tropical climate of this lush country of Guyana – which translates from its Amerindian name “Land of the many waters” – and the three centuries of rum production along the banks of the Demerara river.

The expressions we currently carry are Over Proof, Rum Cream, 3 year, 5 year, 8 year, 12 year, 15 year and 21 year.

Johnson Brothers Liquor Company1999 Shepard RoadSt. Paul, MN 55116 - 3210

PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE

PAIDTWIN CITIES MNPERMIT NO 7150

WINE MERCHANTS

APRIL 2016 | VOLUME 31 | EDITION 4

ARTISAN BEER CO.

JOHNSON BROTHERS

PHILLIPS

WINE MERCHANTS

>> CROWN ROYAL >> SURLY BREWING CO.

>> ARDBEG DARK COVE >> POIZIN WINES

1999 Shepard Road | Saint Paul, MN 55116www.ArtisanBeerCompany.com

Order Desk: [651] 637-3334

NEW SEASONAL RELEASEBENT PADDLE BREWINGDuluth, MN

Paddle Break BlondeAvailable Packages: 12oz. Cans & Draught

A Belgian Style Blonde Ale perfect for an adventure amidst the lakes and scenery of the back country. This Blonde balances hints of citrus and Belgian yeast much like you balance a canoe on your shoulders. Effortlessly. 6% ABV

COMING SOONCentral Waters Brewing Amherst, WI

HHG - American Pale Ale97 - OVERALL SCORE ON RATEBEER.COM

Available Packages: 12oz. Bottles & Draught

Inspired by the music of the Wisconsin band Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, this Americana Pale Ale is best enjoyed with friends old and new while listening to your favorite music. Boasting the bold flavors of grapefruit, citrus and pine characterized by the generous use of Mosaic and Citra hops, this beer is sure to please the hop desire in everyone. 5.2% ABV

Wasatch Brewing Salt Lake City, UT

Wasatch Devastator Double Bock LagerAvailable Packages: 12oz. Bottles & Draught

If you’re going to sin, sin big. With 8% ABV and a creamy richness, this brew has developed a serious following. Imagine that – a cult following in Utah?!

NEW PRODUCT

DESTIHL BREWINGBloomington, IL

Black Angel StoutAvailable Package: ½ BBL

An American Stout with medium malt sweetness, chocolate and roasted malt flavor and aroma. Dry-roasted bitterness in the finish, full-body and assertive citrus hop bitterness. 6.7%ABV

APRIL'S DRAUGHT PICK

Central Waters Brewing Amherst, WI Founders Brewing Company Grand Rapids, MI

Artisan Beer is thrilled to announce expanded selling territories for Central Waters Brewing and Founders Brewing!

We can now provide our customers in the Southeastern portion of Minnesota, including the Houston, Fillmore, Olmsted, Wabasha, and Winona counties, with Central Waters Brewing products. Central Waters, recognized for their quality brews, offers an array of delicious products, including their Bourbon Barrel specialty releases.

Customers in the Northeastern area of Minnesota including the Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake and St. Louis counties, can now purchase Founders Brewing products. Founders Brewing has become one of the highest recognized breweries in the United States, having won numerous awards for their brews, including six World Beer Cup medals!

EXPANDED TERRITORIES

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NEW LOWER PRICE!BENT PADDLE BREWINGDuluth, MN

Cold Press BlackAvailable Packages: 6/4 Pack Cans @ $40.00

Bent Paddle Black infused with fresh Duluth Coffee Company “Crazy Juice” cold press coffee - top o’ the morning to ya! 6% ABV

BREWED FOR US.