Chicago, IL – (April 1, 2013) – Better Brands Beverage Co. announced that it has chosen Arkansas among the first markets 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.
This month, Salute American will commit $10,000 to the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC). FVC works with military veterans in 48 states to find healing and meaningful careers in agriculture. Among its programs is support for internships that provide at risk veterans with hands-on farming and business training. With this donation, FVC will place an intern on Across the Creek Farm in West Fork, Arkansas, founded by Terrell “Spence” Spencer, who served two tours in Iraq with the US Army.
“We’re honored to receive this support to teach and create opportunities in farming for other vets,” said Mr. Spencer. “Salute American’s generous donation will allow our vets to provide for their families while transforming themselves into America’s next generation of farming entrepreneurs. Salute American’s gift isn’t just honorable and patriotic, it’s a game-changer for a young veteran family.”
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 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 Arkansas, the brand is available in more than 400 on- and off-premise accounts in Missouri and Southern Illinois. Salute American will launch in Indiana and Georgia in April and May respectively. The suggested retail price for a 750ml bottle is $22.99, 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 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.
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