The Intoxicologist

Media Release: Beam Global Spirits and Wine Shakes Up the Big Easy to Celebrate the Cocktail

The Leading American Spirit Company Sponsors Tales of the Cocktail 2009

May 13, 2009 8:56 AM CDT-DEERFIELD, Ill.– (BUSINESS WIRE) — Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. [Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE:FO)], the leading American spirits company, will join Tales of the Cocktail, the premier cocktail and culinary festival that celebrates the history and culture of dining and drinking in New Orleans, July 8 - 12. As sponsor of seven events, Beam Global’s brand ambassadors will descend on New Orleans for a week of cocktails, cuisine and culture.

“Being a part of the Tales of the Cocktail’s week-long celebration gives us a tremendous opportunity to showcase our brands and toast the industry,” said Bill Newlands, president of Beam Global’s U.S. Business. “Events like these get to the heart of what our BEAMERICA platform is all about – doing business smarter, faster, better and showing the industry why we are truly the ‘Great American Spirits Company.’”

Beam Global and our portfolio of brands will host:

Stop Talking… Go FRESH: Tony Abou-Ganim and Dale Degroff will share their insight on running a fresh beverage program with the help of Cruzan® Rum. July 8, 2009, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Hotel Monteleone La Nouvelle Orleans East & West Ballroom

American Whiskey Legends: Moderator Paul Pacult and his panel including Fred Noe of Jim Beam® Bourbon, Harlan Wheatley of Buffalo Trace® Bourbon, Tom Bulleit of Bulleit Bourbon and Bill Samuels of Maker’s Mark® Bourbon will discuss what makes American whiskey a world-class libation, and lead the audience on a taste tour of Bourbon. July 9, 2009, 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at the Hotel Monteleone Riverview Room

Midnight in the Garden of Agave: Prepare for your senses to be captivated as you enter into Hornitos^TM Mischieve™ in the Garden of Agave. As you pass through lush foliage on a carpet of fog, beautiful agave girls will greet you with your choice of a unique “Hornitail” beverage in which Hornitos –the 100 percent pure agave tequila– mischievously replaces non-tequila base spirits in classic cocktail combinations. July 9. 2009, 10:30 p.m.-1:00 a.m., Invitation Only.

Tequila Media Breakfast at Brennan’s: Hosted by Tres Generaciones® Tequila Ambassador Jaime Rodriguez and Master Mixologist Bobby “G” Gleason. Invited guests will enjoy tequila breakfast cocktails while learning the history of the “3 Dons” of tequila. July 10, 2009, Invitation Only.

The Great Whisk(e)y Debate: Esteemed debaters from both sides of the pond - a Bourbon advocate, a Scotch malt master, and a Canadian Whisky ambassador - will tilt their glasses and enjoy some good-humored history, tasting and bourbon education, while debating whisk(e)y’s finer points. July 10 2009, 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the Bourbon House.

Carnivorous Cocktails: Learn why tantalizing sweet-and-salty carnivorous cocktails have gained a passionate cult following. Red Stag by Jim Beam™, Kara Newman, Todd Thrasher and Adam Seger will look at wonderful ways bartenders are digging into this meaty topic, and the ongoing quest to create fun cocktails with novelty and shock value. July 11, 2009, 12:30 p.m.- 2:00 p.m. at the St. Charles Room (Astor Crowne Plaza).

Experience Le Nez de Courvoisier: Enjoy a tasting of Courvoisier® Cognac luxury marques and cocktails with Courvoisier® Exclusif™, featuring the Rivoli Twist with National Courvoisier Brand Ambassadrice, Stephanie Mills and National Accounts Mixologist, Philip Raimondo. July 12, 2009, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the Hotel Monteleone Royal Room D.

Beam Global is also proud to boast Cruzan® Rum as a featured spirit in the Tales of the Cocktail official cocktail, the Creole Julep From Maksym Pazuniak, a mixologist at Cure, the Julep will be served at all events throughout the week.

Creole Julep - Created by Maksym Pazuniak of Cure
2-1/4 parts Cruzan® Single Barrel Estate Rum
1/2 part. Clement Creole Shrubb Liqueur
1/4 part Captain Morgan® 100 Rum
2 dashes Fee Bros. Peach bitters
2 dashes Angostura® bitters
8-10 mint leaves
1 Demerara Sugar Cube

Muddle sugar, Creole Shrubb and bitters until sugar is dissolved in a 10 oz. tall glass. Add mint and press to express oils. Add cracked ice. Add Cruzan and Captain Morgan 100 and stir until frost appears on outside of glass. Garnish with mint sprig.

Editor’s note: For images and recipes served at each event, please contact Chelsea Cummings, ccummings@qorvis.com, 202-683-3106.

About Tales of the Cocktail

Tales of the Cocktail is an internationally acclaimed festival of cocktails, cuisine and culture held annually in New Orleans, Louisiana. The event brings together the best and brightest of the cocktail community—award-winning mixologists, authors, bartenders, chefs and designers—for a five-day celebration of the history and artistry of making drinks. Each year offers a spirited series of dinners, demos, tastings, competitions, seminars, book signings, tours and parties all perfectly paired with some of the best cocktails ever made.

About the New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society

The New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society is a non-profit organization committed to preserving the unique culture of dining and drinking in New Orleans and the storied bars and restaurants that have contributed to the city’s world-wide culinary acclaim. This organization supports members of the hospitality industry through education and the production of events like Tales of the Cocktail, and most recently, Trails of the Cocktail, a scholarship program for emerging talent in the cocktail industry.

Every summer spirits from around the world descend on America’s most soulful city. This summer will be no different as Tales of the Cocktail returns. Join us for a spirited schedule of cocktails, cuisine and culture that will stir even the most idle of souls.

For more information on Tales of the Cocktail, visit the website at www.TalesoftheCocktail.com or call 504-948-0511. TICKETS ON SALE NOW.

About Beam Global Spirits & Wine:

Inspiring conversations around the world, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc., is building brands people want to talk about. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for our brands, including Jim Beam® Bourbon, Sauza® Tequila, Canadian Club® Whisky, Courvoisier® Cognac, Maker’s Mark® Bourbon, Laphroaig® Scotch Whisky, Cruzan® Rum, Larios® Gin, Whisky DYC®, Teacher’s® Scotch Whisky, DeKuyper® Cordials and Liqueurs and Knob Creek® Bourbon. Beam Global Spirits & Wine is part of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE:FO), a leading consumer brands company recently named one of the World’s Most Admired Companies by Fortune magazine. For more information on Beam Global Spirits & Wine, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, visit www.beamglobal.com and www.drinksmart.com.

© 2009 Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc., Deerfield, IL.

drink smart®

Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc
Dan Cohen, 847-444-7657
Dan.Cohen@beamglobal.com
Qorvis Communications
Chelsea Cummings, 202-683-3106
ccummings@qorvis.com