BUSINESS

Jim Beam tells drinkers to take a break from beer

January 8th, 2021

Everyone needs a change from time to time.

For many drinkers, there’s nothing more refreshing than a nice cold beer. One liquor maker, however, is hoping to break people out of the habit of just going straight to beer when they need to unwind.

Jim Beam is launching a new marketing campaign that asks beer drinkers to take a break from beer. According to a press release, the campaign kicks off in early January and is dubbed “Need a Break From Beer.”

The company isn’t just asking drinkers to change up their drinks, either. Jim Beam is promoting the Jim Beam Highball as a specific alternative to beer. The cocktail is simply just a combination of Jim Beam Bourbon, ice and ginger ale.

“With the launch of 'Need a Break From Beer,' we're taking a widely enjoyed cocktail that's been trending for years and finally shining the national spotlight on it," said Jessica Spence, president of brands at Beam Suntory. "We know drinkers are getting bored with beer and are looking for new alternatives. The Jim Beam Highball is incredibly easy to mix and perfect for enjoyment while at home or in bars when the time is right.”

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The company will also be launching “Beam Gardens” later in the year, which will reportedly serve as “a playful alternative to traditional beer gardens.” According to the press release, the pop-up locations will serve the cocktails on tap.

Beer companies aren’t just going to let beer drinkers slip away, however.

While January may be a month when people focus on their resolutions, which may include drinking less and eating healthier, one beer company is hoping that people cheat a little bit.

Fox News previously reported that Hamm’s, a Minnesota-based beer brand that bills itself as "the beer … refreshing," is offering a chance to win one of 50 "broken-resolution preparedness kits" for when we inevitably break our New Year’s promises to ourselves.

The Hammergency Kits, as they’re called, include a six-pack of Hamm’s beer (redeemable via a prepaid gift card) and 5 pounds of "restaurant quality" bacon, all contained within a Hamm’s-branded cooler. Sweatpants are noticeably absent from the kit, though they still seem wholly appropriate for binging on bacon and beer.

The contest is open until Jan. 13.

Curated By

Maya Gupta
Investigative Journalist | Grassroots Movement Organizer | Economy Consultant/Speaker
Maya Gupta writes from the fault lines of a world that refuses to stay quiet. Focused on the collisions between culture, power, and accountability, her work cuts past polished narratives to expose what’s really moving beneath the surface. From the rise of creator-driven influence to athlete activism and grassroots resistance, she tracks the momentum shaping a generation unwilling to wait its turn. Her reporting doesn’t cater to comfort, it confronts it, challenging institutions that lean on legacy instead of legitimacy. With a voice rooted in urgency and a lens tuned to those often ignored, Maya delivers coverage that reflects the stakes as they are, not as they’re packaged. This is journalism that doesn’t just observe change, it stands in the middle of it, documenting the push, the backlash, and the undeniable shift underway.

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