Southern Glazer’s Coastal-Pacific Wine & Spirits Division, Florida, was named Spirits Distributor of the Year by Diageo, and Beechwood Distributors, Wisconsin, was named the Beer Distributor of the Year at Diageo’s annual Golden Bar Awards celebration.
The Golden Bar Awards celebrate distributors across the U.S. for their excellence in the industry and the important role they play in their respective communities. Awards are given in seven categories including On Premise Performance, Innovation and Social Responsibility, as well as Brand Excellence. The distinction of Distributor of the Year is also awarded for spirits and beer.
Additionally, Platinum Bar Awards are awarded to a distributor in each of the beer and spirits categories for advancing responsible drinking.
In total, 26 Golden Bar statuettes, 24 made of 24 carat gold and two made of platinum, were awarded to distributors. Each statuette weighs eight pounds, stands more than a foot tall, and is produced by Society Awards, the company that produces The Emmy’s, presented by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Here’s a list of the winners:
| SPIRITS EXCELLENCE AWARDS | |
| Spirits Excellence – Smirnoff | National Distributing Company, Georgia |
| Spirits Excellence – Johnnie Walker | Martignetti Companies, Massachusetts |
| Spirits Excellence – Baileys | Martignetti Companies, Massachusetts |
| Spirits Excellence – Captain Morgan | Southern Glazer’s Coastal – Pacific Wine & Spirits Division, Florida |
| Spirits Excellence – Tanqueray | Southern Glazer’s Coastal – Pacific Wine & Spirits Division, Florida |
| Spirits Excellence – Crown Royal | Breakthru Beverage, United Division Washington D.C. |
| Spirits Excellence – Ketel One | Southern Glazer’s Coastal – Pacific Wine & Spirits Division, Washington |
| Spirits Excellence – Cîroc | Southern Glazer’s Coastal – Pacific Wine & Spirits Division, Washington |
| Spirits Excellence – Bulleit | Southern Glazer’s Coastal – Pacific Wine & Spirits Division, Hawaii |
| Spirits Excellence – Reserve Brands | Breakthru Beverage, United Division, Arizona |
|
BEER EXCELLENCE AWARDS |
|
| Distributor of the Year – Guinness | Manhattan Beer Distributors, New York |
| Distributor of the Year – Smirnoff Ice | Clark Distributing Co., Kentucky |
| Guinness Quality Award | Burke Distributing Co., Massachusetts |
| Chain Executional Excellence | Southern Glazer’s Coastal Pacific Wine & Spirits Division, Texas |
| Executional Excellence | Harbor Distributing Llc., California |
|
INNOVATION AWARDS |
|
| Innovation Launch – Spirits | Southern Glazer’s Coastal – Pacific Wine & Spirits Division, Texas |
| Innovation Distributor of the Year – Beer | Frank B. Fuhrer Wholesale, Pennsylvania |
| Innovation Distributor of the Year – FMB | L. Knife & Son, Massachusetts |
|
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AWARDS |
|
| Advancing Responsible Drinking – Spirits | Coastal Pacific Wines And Spirits Broker, New Hampshire |
| Advancing Responsible Drinking – Beer | DBI Beverage, California |
|
ADDITIONAL AWARDS |
|
| On Premise Excellence Award – Spirits | Breakthru Beverage, United Division, Maryland |
| Multicultural Excellence – Spirits | Breakthru Beverage, United Division, Colorado |
| Three Year Consistency – Spirits | Breakthru Beverage, United Division, Colorado |
| Three Year Consistency – Beer | J.J. Taylor Distributing, Florida |