March 16, 2026 — Kumiko in Chicago, Illinois, has been announced as the winner of the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award, part of the fifth annual North America’s 50 Best Bars awards, sponsored by Perrier. Established to celebrate the essential role hospitality plays in the bar experience, the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award is determined by the 300-plus members of the North America’s 50 Best Bars Academy. Voters are asked to identify the bar where they enjoyed the most outstanding hospitality during the 18-month voting period. This prestigious award marks the first in a lineup of special awards revealed in advance of the highly anticipated North America’s 50 Best Bars 2026 awards ceremony.

Infused with chef, creative director and beverage visionary Julia Momosé’s signature elegance and exacting attention to detail, Kumiko is a sophisticated cocktail bar where Japanese and American influences converge with precision and grace. Named after the intricate Japanese woodworking technique, Kumiko’s space mirrors that artistry through its minimalist design of light wood, soft neutral tones and exposed brick. The bar’s drinks and cuisine are treated with equal reverence, featuring seasonal menus, a thoughtful collection of shochu and Japanese whisky and cocktails that blend Japanese and American ingredients, with nihonshu (sake) as a cornerstone of the program.

Emma Sleight, Head of Content for North America’s 50 Best Bars, says: “It has been remarkable to witness Kumiko’s continued impact on the Midwest cocktail landscape. As a Japanese dining bar, Kumiko treats food and drink with the same level of care, each crafted with deep intentionality. From impeccably composed, seasonally driven cocktails that weave together Japanese and American influences on a cuisine that captures the soulful breadth of Japanese cooking, every detail reflects Momosé’s thoughtful vision. It is this harmony between technical excellence and heartfelt hospitality that makes Kumiko both transportive and warmly grounded in Chicago, continuing to set it apart year after year.”

Under Julia Momosé’s direction, the bar’s thoughtfully crafted ‘Spiritfree’ offerings further demonstrate the same rigor and creativity found throughout the beverage program. For all its technical precision and artistry, Kumiko remains rooted in warmth and gratitude that creates a welcoming environment where every guest is met with genuine care and hospitality.

Julia Momosé, Chef, Partner and Creative Director of Kumiko, says: “It is a privilege to care for people, and an honor to be recognized with the Michter's Art of Hospitality Award 2026 for the way we practice that care each day. I am grateful to the team at Kumiko for the kindness they show one another and the care they extend to our guests. I am equally grateful to the community that continues to support us. It is a gift to have your trust. When we acknowledge the fragile parts of our own humanity, we are better able to help others feel seen, heard and know that they matter. Hospitality is built through small, consistent acts of attention and respect. At Kumiko, we will continue to center our work around that belief and to build space where people feel respected and safe. Arigato gozaimasu.”

Matt Magliocco, Executive Vice President of Michter’s, says: “Congratulations to Julia Momosé and the entire team at Kumiko. For years, they have set an extraordinary standard of excellence in hospitality, with phenomenal drinks, delicious food and genuine care for their guests. The Kumiko team’s sincere passion for their craft and the elegance and refinement with which they create outstanding guest experiences make them a deserving recipient of the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award. We are thrilled for them.”

The North America’s 50 Best Bars 2026 awards ceremony will take place at the Vancouver Convention Centre on Wednesday, April 22, ending with the announcement of The Best Bar in North America 2026, sponsored by Perrier, and other special award winners. North America’s 50 Best Bars recognized the growth of the North American cocktail scene by unveiling the extended 51-100 list for the first time in 2025 and will do so again in 2026.

The countdown of the list of North America’s 50 Best Bars will also be broadcast live on YouTube to a global audience who are not able to attend in person.

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In an inspiring celebration of talent, purpose and sustainability, Jared Schmidt from Osetra Bar in Canada was crowned the “World’s Sustainable Cocktail Champion 2025” during the Global Final of Flor de Caña’s renowned Sustainable Cocktail Challenge, held on Saturday, March 7th, in the breathtaking volcanic islets of Granada, Nicaragua.

To mark the brand’s 135th anniversary, this year’s edition celebrated classic cocktails, inviting bartenders to reinterpret timeless recipes through a modern and sustainable lens.

The competition brought together 15 top mixologists, selected from over 25 participating countries worldwide, who share Flor de Caña’s commitment to building a more sustainable future for the industry. Against the stunning natural backdrop of the Mombacho Volcano, finalists showcased their creativity and mastery by crafting cocktails that balanced exceptional flavor with environmentally conscious practices. Flor de Caña, a Carbon Neutral certified rum that’s distilled with 100% renewable energy and has planted over one million trees, continues to champion sustainability through initiatives that inspire the global bartending community.

After two intense rounds of competition — including the innovative “Sustainable Market” final challenge — Jared took the top spot by impressing the judges with his talent and passion. His winning cocktail, called “Por mundo limpio”, is a sustainable reinterpretation of a Golden Era cocktail, featuring Flor de Caña 12 Year Rum with caramelized mushrooms, organic cane sugar and nori for a bold, low-impact flavor profile.

As Global Champion, Jared receives the prestigious title, a US$10,000 cash prize, the winner trophy, and a sustainability assessment for his venue in partnership with the Sustainable Restaurant Association.

“This has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I’m incredibly grateful to Flor de Caña, the judges, and my fellow competitors, and it was truly special to experience Nicaragua and connect with such an inspiring global bartending community,” said Jared Schmidt.

The competition’s second place was awarded to Phát Tran Guia from Firkin Bar in Vietnam, while Dawid Stoch from Art Katowice Bar in Poland secured third place, rounding out an extraordinary showcase of global bartending talent.

The judging panel was composed of: Danil Nevsky (2nd in the Bar World 100 and Best International Bar Mentor – Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards), Kendall Hauer (luxury dining and beverage expert based in Miami), Luis Inchaurraga (Argentinian mixologist with over 25 years of experience), and Gary Gruver (Director of Global Beverage Operations at Marriott International).

COLLINGWOOD, ON, March 12, 2026 /CNW/ - Side Launch Brewing Co. has introduced a new brand identity and packaging system across its flagship beer lineup, marking a major evolution for the Collingwood-based brewery as it strengthens its presence in Ontario's beer and ready-to-drink markets.

The transformation introduces a new brand idea called Built to Launch, reconnecting Side Launch to its heritage while reflecting the outdoor lifestyle and shared moments that define Ontario today, from ski hills and bike trails to cottages, patios and city gatherings.

"Side Launch has grown alongside the community that surrounds it," says Steve St. Jean, VP of Brand, Creative and Marketing. "This evolution honours our history while embracing the four-season lifestyle that inspires our drinkers today."

Founded on the shores of Georgian Bay, Side Launch takes its name from the sideways ship launches that once defined the town, a symbol of preparation meeting possibility. That legacy now anchors the mindset behind Built to Launch: celebrating the effort behind every earned moment, from finishing a ride to gathering with friends after a long day.

Packaging as a Visual Expression of the Brand

The new packaging system, designed in-house with artwork by Ontario illustrator Matt Doyle, introduces a unified visual language across the portfolio. Each can acts like a poster for an adventure moment, featuring a workwear-style badge with the iconic boat mark, stronger colour blocking and typography, custom illustrations tied to beer style and occasion, and nautical chart lines of Georgian Bay.

The rebrand refreshes Side Launch favourites, including Northbound Lager, Anyday Light IPA, Fifth Coast Hazy IPA and Original Wheat, with Fifth Coast revived as a nod to Ontario freshwater surf culture.

Expanding the Launch

"Side Launch is the reward after the effort," says Dan Johnston, VP of Commercial. "It's beer for earned moments -- on the trail, at the cottage or around a campfire."

The rebrand also supports the brewery's expansion into ready-to-drink beverages with the launch of Side Launch Spirits, beginning with Lemon Berry Mist (available in the LCBO), followed by Peach Honey Fizz and Cherry Lime Smash.

NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As the United States prepares to celebrate 250 years of independence, Americans across the country will soon be raising a glass to the milestone — and Peg Leg Porker Spirits has created the bourbon built for the moment.

The Nashville-born brand announces the release of Spirit of America™, a limited edition Bottled-in-Bond bourbon crafted to commemorate America's 250th anniversary and celebrate the grit, craftsmanship and community that define the American spirit.

The release is inspired by the story of founder and pitmaster Carey Bringle, whose own journey reflects that same resilience. At age 17, Bringle lost his leg to osteogenic sarcoma. Refusing to let the challenge define him, he went on to build a nationally recognized barbecue brand and one of the most distinctive bourbon portfolios in the country, becoming the world's only award-winning pitmaster with an award-winning bourbon brand.

Today, that same spirit of perseverance is poured into every bottle of Peg Leg Porker Bourbon.

But the launch goes beyond bourbon.

Peg Leg Porker is inviting Americans everywhere to participate in a national "Raise a Glass to 250" toast, honoring American resilience everywhere from backyard barbecues, Memorial Day recognitions and 4th of July gatherings to restaurants, bars and celebrations across the country.

"If we're celebrating 250 years of America, it better be done the right way," says Bringle. "Bottled-in-Bond. High standards. No shortcuts. Let's raise a glass together."

Built the American Way

Unlike many commemorative spirits entering the market, Spirit of America™ carries one of the most respected classifications in American whiskey: Bottled-in-Bond.

Established by the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, the designation guarantees the bourbon is:

• Produced by one distiller
• From one distilling season
• Aged at least four years
• Stored in a federally bonded warehouse
• Bottled at exactly 100 proof

The result is a bold yet balanced bourbon, and true to the Peg Leg Porker brand, the whiskey is finished through hickory charcoal, adding the brand's signature smooth, smoky complexity.

A Bourbon Rooted in American Craft

Barbecue and bourbon run deep in the Bringle family. The family's American roots trace back to 1727, with generations carrying forward traditions of service, hospitality and cooking over live fire. During military service on the island of Luan in the Philippines, members of Bringle's family became known for cooking whole hogs for fellow servicemen — a tradition that would later shape the barbecue heritage Carey Bringle carries forward today.

That legacy of service, resilience and gathering people together around food and drink continues to this day with Peg Leg Porker, making Spirit of America™ a fitting tribute to the values and traditions that have defined the nation for 250 years.

Supporting America's Veterans

In the spirit of service and community, a portion of proceeds from the Spirit of America™ Limited Edition release will support a local Tennessee nonprofit, , which teaches military veterans the craft of barbecue, helping them build community, purpose and new careers after their service.

A New American Summer Tradition

The Spirit of America™ Limited Edition Summer Series will become Peg Leg Porker's annual patriotic bourbon release, celebrating American culture and milestones each summer. "This isn't a one-time release," says Bringle. "We are starting a tradition — raising a glass to the people, traditions and milestones that define America every summer."

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