Drink Me Magazine Announces Its 2014 Elite 150 Winners

    NEW YORK, NY, February 04, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Drink Me Magazine, the beer, wine and spirits lifestyle publication, today announced its top 150 best products for 2014. The Drink Me editorial team tasted through hundreds of different examples in each category to narrow down its 50 best beers, wines, and spirits. The judging and selections were led by Brian Freedman, Drink Me Magazine's new Editor-in-Chief.

The inaugural Drink Me 2014 Elite 150 includes a wide range of beverages from producers both large and small, a breadth of choice that the selection process itself is designed to accommodate. From ambitious bottlings crafted by the largest manufacturers to more niche products pushed to market by smaller independent producers, the Drink Me 2014 Elite 150 represents the best of what the team of editors has sampled in the past year, regardless of how familiar or potentially surprising they may be to consumers and industry alike.

"By leveling the playing field, and considering everything we have tasted on its own merits and against likepriced products, we hope to introduce readers to beers, wines and spirits that they may not have considered or known about before," Freedman explained. "On this year's list, for example, our favorites ran the gamut from a Cognac costing more than $20,000 to a Blaufrankisch that offers fantastic bang for the proverbial buck at under $20. We believe that, these days, lovers of great beers, wines and spirits appreciate quality at all price levels."

BEST OF CATEGORY 2014 PRODUCTS AND PRODUCERS/IMPORTERS OF THE YEAR

Beer Importer of the Year: Paulaner HP USA for Fullers Portfolio, Beer of the Year: St. Stefanus Blonde, Brewery of the Year (Domestic): Milwaukee Brewing Company, Brewery of the Year (International): Brouwerij Westmalle, Cider of the Year: Boonville Cider House Bite Hard Apple Cider

Spirits Importer of the Year: Infinium Spirits for the Teeling Whiskey Company, Spirit of the Year: Four Roses 125th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch, Spirits Producer of the Year (Domestic): Ascendant Spirits, Spirits Producer of the Year (International): The Teeling Whiskey Company, American Whiskey of the Year: Lock Stock & Barrel, Irish Whiskey of the Year: Teeling Small Batch, Blended Scotch Whisky of the Year: Johnnie Walker Platinum, Single Malt Scotch Whisky of the Year: Bowmore Dorus Mor, White Whiskey of the Year: Dickel No. 1 White Corn Whiskey, Vodka of the Year: Ascendant Spirits American Star Vodka, Gin of the Year: Bulldog, Rum/Rhum of the Year: Rhum Clement Cuvee Homere, Tequila of the Year: Tequila Tapatio Blanco, Mezcal of the Year: Del Maguey Vino De Mezcal Tepextate, Liqueur of the Year: Pur Spirits Blood Orange, Brandy of the Year: Remy Martin Louis XIII Rare Cask 42,6, Aperitif/Digestif of the Year: The Range of broVo Amaro Bottlings

Wine Importer of the Year: Michael Skurnik Wines Broad Portfolio, Wine of the Year: Salon Le Mesnil Brut Blanc de Blancs 1996, Winery of the Year (Domestic): Charles Krug, Winery of the Year (International): Domaine Gayda, Value Wine of the Year ($12 and under): Charles & Charles Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - Syrah 2012, Sparkling Wine of the Year: Nicolas Feuillatte "Palmes d'Or" Brut 2002, Mad Hatter Award - Most Surprising Wine of the Year: Duck Commander Chardonnay 2012

FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF THE DRINK ME MAGAZINE 2014 ELITE 150 PRODUCTS:

http://drinkmemag.com/misc_files/DrinkMe_2014_Elite_150.pdf

The Drink Me 2014 Elite 150 winners will be featured at two media and trade focused events in San Francisco and New York City, and included in the end-of-year Drink Me 2014 Buyers Guide, which will be distributed nationally through both digital and print channels.

About Drink Me Magazine

Drink Me is a lifestyle media platform that includes print, digital media, and live events created for the alcohol enthusiast. Developed to help our audience navigate the art and cultures of the world's premium alcohol products, Drink Me has built a passionate community that seeks out and shares the epicurean traditions of the leading premium wine, beer, and spirits categories.

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