Chicago, IL – (July 22, 2013) – Better Brands Beverage Co. announced that it has chosen Florida to be among the first states to launch Salute American, a new brand with a purpose.  The Company’s inaugural offering is an American-made, premium vodka that’s committed to investing in the future of U.S. veterans who have proudly served their country.  To that end, the Company will donate one-dollar for every 750ml bottle sold to approved veterans’ charities – a declaration etched on every bottle.

Earlier this year, Salute American made its first donation in the amount of $25,000 to Veteran’s Farm through Work Vessels for Veterans (WVFV), an all-volunteer movement that assists returning veterans with the necessary start-up tools to begin their civilian career or educational pursuits.  This donation will enable Adam Burke, Veteran’s Farm Founder, a veteran and now blueberry farmer in Jacksonville, FL, to purchase farm equipment, supplies and housing for more U.S. Veterans to work on their farms.

“Veteran’s Farm is grateful to Better Brands Bevco. for their unwavering commitment to help and support Veterans,” said Adam Burke.  “Salute American Vodka demonstrates our ‘By Americans, For Americans to help Americans’ motto and will inspire millions across this country to take action.”

In addition, Salute American has partnered with Purple Heart Homes (PHH) to renovate a home in Jacksonville, Florida, for Service Connected Disabled Army Veteran PFC Jeffery Taylor and his family.  PHH provides personalized housing solutions for Service Connected Disabled Veterans and their families that are substantial in function, design and quality.

“Purple Heart Homes is proud to partner with Salute American to assist those veterans who have covered our backs and been tragically wounded while fighting for our nation’s freedom,” said co-founders, Dale Beatty and John Gallina.  

Salute American is the brainchild of CEO-founder Pete Kelly, a passionate entrepreneur who wanted to make a difference in people’s lives through the ‘pay-it-forward’ philosophy.  Pete couldn’t think of a more deserving group than U.S. Veterans – a band of brothers with increasingly high unemployment and homelessness rates*.  Salute American became a practical way to help maintain and create jobs in the US for veterans, and to generate ongoing economic success, stronger families and stronger communities.

“Salute American is more than a name – it’s our mission,” said Pete Kelly, CEO-founder, Better Brands BevCo.  “We prove our patriotism by giving back and paying it forward.”

Salute American Vodka is pure American from start to finish.  The vodka, which was approved for the USA Certified™ Seal, is made from corn and wheat grains straight from the heartland.  It’s then four times distilled for a smooth and sweet taste that works well mixed or neat.  The canteen-shaped bottle bearing the red, white and blue, was manufactured in Park Hills, Missouri, by Piramal, and distilled and bottled at Lidestri Spirits in Rochester, NY.

In addition to Florida, the brand is available in on- and off-premise accounts in Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Missouri and Southern Illinois.  The suggested retail price for a 750ml bottle is $19.99, which may vary by market.  Salute American Vodka is 80-proof and 40% alcohol by volume.  The brand recently received a Silver Medal and an 87-point “highly recommended” rating from the prestigious Beverage Testing Institute in the category of “Best Value Vodka $20 and under.”  For more information, please visit www.saluteamerican.com “like” us on facebook www.facebook.com/SaluteAmericanVodka and follow us on twitter @SaluteAmerican.

* According to Labor Department Data, the unemployment rate among male veterans, ages 18-24, is nearly 27%.  There are currently more than 100,000 homeless Vets in the US.

About Better Brands BevCo.

Privately owned and Midwest-based, Better Brands Beverage Co. is a for-profit company committed to investing in Veterans Charities that create jobs for Veterans.  The Company was founded in 2012 by CEO Pete Kelly who passionately believes in making a difference in people’s lives through the ‘pay-it-forward’ philosophy.

About Purple Heart Homes

Purple Heart Homes is a 501 c3 founded by Dale Beatty and John Gallina, two Iraq combat wounded veterans that remain on a mission to provide housing solutions to service connected disabled veterans and their families. Driven by the belief that no Veteran should be left behind, Purple Heart Homes, together with community, is committed to ensuring quality of life solutions for disabled American Veterans from all eras. For more information see: www.purplehearthomesusa.org or call 855-PURPLE9

About the Project

Purple Heart Homes, Bank of America, GE Aviation, Salute American Vodka and Lifetime’s TV Show Designing Spaces are engaged in renovating a home at 10958 Horse Track Road.

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(July 9, 2013) – Louisville Distilling Co. LLC, producers of the highly celebrated Angel’s Envy bourbon, announced today that it will construct a new state-of-the-art distillery and brand experience center in downtown Louisville.

The company has concluded a deal with the State of Kentucky for the purchase of property on the corner of Main Street and Jackson, formerly known at the Vermont American Building and Baer Fabrics. An official ribbon cutting ceremony, welcoming special guests Governor Steve Beshear and Mayor Greg Fischer, is planned for Tuesday, July 9 at 1:00pm.

“We are thrilled to have such an amazing location for our new distillery,” said Marc Bushala, President and CEO of Angel’s Share Brands LLC, the parent company of Louisville Distilling Co. LLC. “We have spent the past two years evaluating potential sites in downtown Louisville, looking for the perfect property. The City has been great to work with and very supportive in our efforts to find the ideal location.”

Louisville Distilling Co. plans to invest approximately $12MM in the renovation of the Vermont American and Baer Fabrics buildings and equipment. LDI has hired Louisville-based Joseph & Joseph Architects to manage the project, which will house the Angel’s Envy distillery operations, as well as a “brand experience” center that will be open to the public and include guided tours of the distillery.

Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson noted, “I feel blessed to do what I truly love to do. It is a dream come true to have my own distillery on Main Street in downtown Louisville.”

Wes Henderson, son of Lincoln Henderson and C.O.O. for Angel’s Share Brands added, “We are constructing a fully functioning distillery, from milling of grains to blending and bottling on site. The Angel’s Envy distillery will be a must-see experience on the Urban Bourbon Trail.”

The Company also announced today that Louisville based private equity firm Blue Equity, LLC has made a significant investment in its parent company, Angel’s Share Brands. Blue Equity, LLC Chairman and Managing Director Jonathan Blue said, “We are very pleased to have joined the investment group at Angel’s Envy. In just a few years, Angel’s Envy has been recognized as one of the best bourbons on the market. With the launch of the new distillery and brand experience center, the future looks even brighter for this incredible brand.”

“This is an exciting addition to Kentucky’s vibrant bourbon industry, with Angel’s Share Brands creating 40 new jobs and investing $10 million in a new distillery,” said Gov. Steve Beshear. “As bourbon continues to gain in popularity across the world, we will continue to work hard to foster new opportunities for jobs and investment. We take a lot of pride in this signature product, and the industry’s global success shows the type of dedication and craftsmanship that makes Kentucky stand out.”

“We are delighted that Angel’s Envy has selected Main Street for its Louisville distillery,” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer. “It is exciting that we will have an iconic bourbon brand as part of the history and culture that makes up this vital corridor of Louisville’s downtown. Angel’s Envy’s dedication to its quality product and economic commitment to the Louisville community are both representative of what makes Louisville and Kentucky the bourbon capital of the world.”

Louisville Distilling Company expects the new distillery to be up and running in 2014.

Angel’s Envy has released three Expressions to-date, each of which exhibits Lincoln Henderson’s passion for experimenting outside of conventional norms and producing unique whiskey steeped in tradition, but finished with a twist.

– Bourbon Port Cask Finish, which is distilled for an unparalleled smoothness, aged for 4-6 years in American white oak barrels and finished in hand-selected port casks for an incremental 3-6 months. Now available in more than 20 U.S. markets and China, the expression earned a 98/100 points from Wine Enthusiast magazine – the highest-ever rating for a bourbon – and five stars (highest recommendation) from F. Paul Pacult’s Spirit Journal

– Cask Strength, a sold-out November 2012 limited release in Kentucky and Nashville, Tenn., which is aged to the perfect level of richness and maturity in the few American white oak barrels that made the cut. Paul Pacult of Spirit Journal named the Cask Strength “Best Spirit in the World” in the June 2013 issue, giving it five stars and noting it “deserves a sixth rating star”

– Rye Whiskey, a new Expression made with 95% rye and 5% malted barley that’s aged for at least six years in new American, charred oak barrels and finished in hand-selected Caribbean rum casks for up to 18 months. Now available in select markets, including Kentucky

For more information, please visit us at www.angelsenvy.com or on facebook https://www.facebook.com/AngelsEnvyBourbon and twitter (@angels_envy).

Angel’s Envy 2013. Heaven Can Wait. Please Drink Responsibly.

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