Diageo Honors Drinks Distributors at 13th Annual Golden Bar Awards

News provided by

Aug 11, 2016, 03:01 ET

NORWALK, Conn., Aug. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Diageo, a global leader in beverage alcohol, honored spirits and beer distributors at the 13^th Annual Golden Bar Awards, which took place recently in Las Vegas. The Golden Bar Awards are presented to distributors demonstrating excellence in sales, marketing and promoting responsible drinking.

"The Golden Bar Awards are a way for Diageo to recognize and celebrate the dedication and commitment of the excellent distributors who support our brands all year long," said Tom Looney, President, Open and Control States for Diageo North America.

Tom Day, President, Diageo Beer Company USA reinforced the importance of the Golden Bar Awards, stating: "Our distributors don't just sell our fine beers and spirits, they are also stewards of our brands, and we appreciate that. Each year these awards give us the opportunity to acknowledge their efforts."

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.

"Every year we recognize those distributors who best promote responsible drinking and support initiatives to combat underage drinking – two commitments that are of the utmost importance to Diageo," said Jon Pageler, Executive Vice President, Diageo North America.

In total, 24 Golden Bar statuettes, 22 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 R.S. Owens, the company that created the Oscar®, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Below are the categories and winners for the 2016 Golden Bar Awards.

DISTRIBUTOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Distributor of the Year - Spirits	Georgia Crown Distributing
Distributor of the Year - Beer	JJ Taylor Distributing of Florida

SPIRITS EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Spirits Excellence - Smirnoff	United Liquors, A Division of Martignetti Companies of Massachusetts
Spirits Excellence - Johnnie Walker	Coastal Wine and Spirits of Indiana
Spirits Excellence - Baileys	North American Spirits and Wine Broker of Oregon
Spirits Excellence - Captain Morgan	Connecticut Distributors Inc
Spirits Excellence - Tanqueray	General Wholesale of Georgia
Spirits Excellence - Crown Royal	North American Spirits and Wine Broker of Ohio
Spirits Excellence - Ketel One	Pacific Wine and Spirits of California
Spirits Excellence - Cîroc	Breakthru Beverage, United Division of South Carolina
Spirits Excellence - Reserve Brands	Breakthru Beverage, United Division of Illinois

BEER EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Distributor of the Year - Guinness	United Distributors of Georgia
Distributor of the Year - Smirnoff Ice	Manhattan Beer Distributors of New York
Guinness Quality Award	Peerless Beverage Company of New Jersey
Guinness Quality Award	Frank B. Fuhrer Distributing of Pennsylvania

INNOVATION AWARDS
Innovation Launch - Spirits	North American Spirits and Wine Broker of Michigan
Innovation Distributor of the Year - Beer	Crest Beverage of California
Innovation Distributor of the Year - FMB	J&L of Georgia

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AWARDS
Advancing Responsible Drinking - Spirits	North American Spirits and Wine Broker of Ohio
Advancing Responsible Drinking - Beer	Harbor Distributing, LLC of California

ADDITIONAL AWARDS
On Premise Excellence Award - Spirits	Georgia Crown Distributing
Multicultural Excellence - Spirits	Breakthru Beverage, United Division of Maryland
Three Year Consistency - Spirits	Costal Wine & Spirits of Texas
Three Year Consistency - Beer	Admiral Beverage Corporation of New Mexico

About Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan's and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Follow us on Twitter for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

SOURCE Diageo