This week’s roundup of spirits news opens with Four Roses revealing its annual small batch release, a move that has drawn attention from drinkers looking for limited-edition expressions. The story then turns to a theft involving a well-known brand, where a heist of beer from that label has grown into something more serious than the usual case of stolen suds. Other items round out the report, making for a week packed with announcements and incidents across the beverage world.
This week’s round-up from VinePair covers a stolen truck carrying beer, a tennis-themed cocktail trend, and several fresh whiskey launches. The headline act is a record-breaking theft. Pabst Blue Ribbon has put up a reward following the loss of more than 50,000 cans.
The Pabst Beer Heist
In Montclair, Calif., a truck full of roughly 40,000 pounds of Pabst Blue Ribbon has vanished. The haul works out to well over 50,000 cans. The size of the theft has some reports calling it the largest beer heist in recent memory.
Greig DeBow, the CEO of Pabst, spoke publicly on Wednesday. He said the firm is willing to pay as much as $20,000 for any useful information.
Honey Deuce at the US Open
In New York City, the US Open is underway, which means social media feeds are flooded with bright pink Honey Deuces — the cocktail crowned with fruit balls. The drink has turned into an event of its own.
The vodka brand Grey Goose has joined forces with Josh Hart, an NBA champion who is also a Knicks player and a man with a well-known appreciation for fine wine. In a social media video, Hart appears alongside the brand, where he is depicted as the “ultimate baller”, meticulously cutting out fruit balls for the cocktail’s demanding garnish.
The figures confirm the focus. In 2025, the tournament moved 738,459 Honey Deuces, marking a rise above the prior year by 32 percent. The summer pattern continues without pause.
Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch
The distillery has revealed the next run in its line of limited-edition small-batch releases. This marks the 19th edition in the series, and it arrives on October 10. The bourbon draws on barrels aged up to 23 years, bottled at their original strength from the cask.
This combination draws on several carefully chosen batches, each representing a stage in the life of the spirits within it. The release reveals three of the plant’s 10 distinct recipes at different ages, with the youngest being the 14-year-old OBSK and the oldest the 23-year-old OESK. The other two batches fall between them: the 14-year-old OESK and the 15-year-old OESV. These four batches make up the whole of what is being offered.
This bottling comes unfiltered and hits the glass at 109.2 proof. It is a rare, limited edition release. Just roughly 16,800 bottles will reach shelves at chosen retailers across the country. The recommended selling price sits at $249.
Liquid Death Founder Goes Canned Wine
Mike Cessario started Liquid Death, the punk rock canned water brand. He is now teaming up with Sazerac for a new canned sparkling wine named Mr. Fancy. The visual difference is significant.
The can of “American Bubbly” carries an alcohol content of 5.5 percent by volume. It will be offered in two forms: Brut and Rosé. Consumers who wish to try both varieties together can get a 6-pack, priced at a suggested retail cost of $14.99. This expansion puts Cessario’s distinctive branding into a fresh category.
Birthday Bourbon and a Jacket
On Wednesday, Old Forester announced its annual limited edition Birthday Bourbon. The whiskey celebrates the September 2 birthday of founder George Garvin Brown, who opened the plant in 1870.
The 2026 expression was bottled at 11 years old at 97 proof. It will be available in limited amounts for a suggested retail price of $200. This year the brand also worked with Alpha Industries on a special jacket. That jacket will be available online on September 10 for $250.
| Whiskey | Age | Proof | Price | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch | Up to 23 years | 109.2 | $249 | October 10 |
| Old Forester Birthday Bourbon | 11 years | 97 | $200 | Announced Wednesday |
| Woodford Reserve Super Seasoned Oak | Not stated | 100.4 | $179.99 | Announced Thursday |
Woodford Reserve Super Seasoned Oak
Woodford Reserve debuted its 2026 Master’s Collection on Thursday. The Super Seasoned Oak bottling was made under master maker Elizabeth McCall. It marks the 22nd release under the plant’s experimental series.
The new release employs a distinct approach to barrel seasoning. Standard bourbon barrels depend on white oak matured outdoors for up to one year. By contrast, the Super Seasoned Oak expression draws on staves that have sat exposed to the weather for five to seven years, which contributes a richer layer of flavor.
This particular whiskey comes off the still at 100.4 proof. It carries a suggested retail price of $179.99, and it arrives in a 700-ml bottle. What sets it apart from standard practice is the extended time spent maturing in the barrel.
What to Watch
A reward has been set for the stolen beer, and it currently sits at $20,000. The count of Honey Deuce bottles keeps rising. The Four Roses release will reach store shelves in October.
VP Pro is VinePair’s free content platform and bulletin for the drinks industry, covering wine, beer, and liquor. These releases and news items are part of that wider work. Sign up for VP Pro to receive more weekly updates.
Key Facts Box
- Pabst heist: 40,000 pounds, over 50,000 cans, stolen in Montclair, Calif.
- Reward: up to $20,000
- Honey Deuces sold in 2025: 738,459, up 32 percent
- Four Roses release: October 10, 109.2 proof, $249, about 16,800 bottles
- Old Forester Birthday Bourbon: 11 years, 97 proof, $200
- Alpha Industries jacket: $250, available September 10
- Woodford Reserve: 100.4 proof, $179.99, 700-ml bottle
- Mr. Fancy: 5.5 percent ABV, $14.99 per 6-pack
Source: vinepair.com
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