Booze News Weekly Roundup: Four Roses Announces Annual Small Batch Release, PBR Beer Heist Escalates, and More

This is VinePair’s Booze News Weekly Roundup, where we gather the hottest headlines and product releases every Friday for a snapshot of what’s happening in the beverage alcohol industry. This week, we have an update on a record breaking beer heist, a look at the biggest cocktail in sports during its peak season, and the announcement of Four Roses’ annual Small Batch release.

News to know:

Beer heist escalates: Last week, a truck carrying an estimated 40,000 pounds — the equivalent of over 50,000 cans — of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer was stolen in Montclair, Calif. According to reports, the scale of the robbery might make it the biggest beer heist in modern history. On Wednesday, Pabst CEO Greig DeBow made a statement that the company is offering up to $20,000 for information.
Honey Deuce-mania reaches a fever pitch: The US Open is in full swing in New York City, and that means our feeds are clogged with photos of bright pink, melon ball-adorned Honey Deuces. Naturally, celebs are in on the action, with a notable activation between Grey Goose — the vodka brand behind the iconic drink — and NBA champion Josh Hart. Though known for his love of fine wine, the beloved Knicks player teamed up with the brand in a social media video showcasing him as the “ultimate baller” meticulously carving out melon balls for the cocktail’s labor intensive garnish. With the tournament slinging 738,459 Honey Deuces in 2025 — topping the previous year by a 32 percent increase — it’s clear this summer trend is only continuing to rise.

Product releases to watch:

Four Roses announces release of annual Small Batch series: The 19th edition of the Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch will launch on October 10, with a barrel-strength blend that features bourbons aged up to 23 years. The blend brings together several hand-selected batches, showcasing three of the distillery’s 10 distinct recipes at different ages, including the 14-year-old OBSK, 14-year-old OESK, 15-year-old OESV, and 23-year-old OESK. The whiskey is non-chill filtered and bottled at 109.2 proof. A coveted, limited-edition release, only about 16,800 bottles will be available at select retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $249.
Liquid Death founder launches canned sparkling wine with Sazerac: In a massive aesthetic shift, Mike Cessario, founder of punk rock canned water company Liquid Death, is partnering with Sazerac to launch a new canned sparkling wine called Mr. Fancy. The can of “American Bubbly” comes in at 5.5 percent ABV and will come in both Brut and Rosé varieties. A 6-pack will be available for a suggested retail price of $14.99.
A bourbon for birthdays: On Wednesday, Old Forester announced the release of its annual limited edition Birthday Bourbon, which commemorates the September 2 birthday of founder George Garvin Brown, who opened the distillery in 1870. The 2026 expression was bottled at 11 years old at 97 proof and will be available in limited qualities for a suggested retail price of $200. This year the brand also collaborated with Alpha Industries to design a specialty jacket to go along with the release, which will be available online on September 10 for $250.
Whiskey with seasoning: On Thursday, Woodford Reserve announced the debut of its 2026 Master’s Collection. The Super Seasoned Oak bottling, crafted under master distiller Elizabeth McCall, marks the 22nd release under the distillery’s experimental series, introducing an unconventional method for seasoning the barrels. Traditional bourbon barrels rely on white oak seasoned in the open air for up to one year, the Super Seasoned Oak expression uses staves exposed to the elements for five to seven years, adding a rich depth of flavor. The whiskey is bottled at 100.4 proof and will be available for a suggested retail price of $179.99 for a 700-milliliter bottle.

The article Booze News Weekly Roundup: Four Roses Announces Annual Small Batch Release, PBR Beer Heist Escalates, and More appeared first on VinePair.