Great Lakes Wine & Spirits swiftly traces and removes mislabeled High Noon Beach Variety Pack product

July 30, 2025

Three‑tier system enables distributor to work with supplier and prevent unintentional alcohol consumption

HIGHLAND PARK, Mich. — Great Lakes Wine & Spirits, Michigan’s leading family-owned and operated wholesale alcohol distributor, today announced that it identified and removed from the Michigan market all units of High Noon Beach Variety Pack (12-pack) vodka seltzers that may have contained cans that were mislabeled as CELSIUS energy drinks.

 

Thanks to Michigan’s three‑tier system for alcohol distribution, Great Lakes Wine & Spirits was able to work closely with the supplier to quickly trace every case of the affected product and confirm that none of it had reached store shelves. The distributor’s precise tracking systems made it possible to determine exactly where the product had — and just as importantly, had not — been delivered to retailers, allowing for fast and efficient removal before any risk of unintentional alcohol consumption occurred.

 

“Situations like this are exactly why traceability matters,” said Lew Cooper III, co‑CEO of Great Lakes Wine & Spirits. “Because of the transparency and control built into Michigan’s three‑tier system, we were able to coordinate with the supplier in real time, pinpoint the product’s path through our network, and ensure it never made it to consumers.”

 

“This incident highlights exactly why the three‑tier system works so effectively,” said Spencer Nevins, president of the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association. “From the moment a supplier issue is flagged, wholesalers have the structure and authority to isolate and remove the product statewide, keeping store shelves safe and protecting consumers.”

 

Great Lakes Wine & Spirits remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of accountability and transparency and continues to work with suppliers and retailers to ensure Michigan consumers receive safe, properly labeled products.

 

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Detroit News: Celebrating Michigan’s Family-Owned Beer and Wine Distributors

By Rebecca Stow • June 23, 2026
On June 23, National Family-Owned and Operated Businesses Day offers an opportunity to recognize the local companies that form the backbone of Michigan’s economy. Among them are the state’s beer and wine distributors—independent, family-owned businesses that have been serving their communities for decades. These are multigenerational operations rooted in Michigan communities, where leadership is often passed from one generation to the next. Their longevity reflects not only business success, but a deep commitment to the people and places they serve. When I began my work with the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association two decades ago, the industry looked very different. Today, Michigan consumers enjoy an unprecedented variety of choices, supported by advanced logistics, compliance systems, and strong retail partnerships. That evolution has been driven in large part by family-owned distributors who continue to invest in their people, infrastructure and communities. Their local ownership gives them a unique understanding of the retailers and consumers they serve. It also means decisions are made with a long-term perspective—focused not just on growth, but on sustainability and community impact. Thoughtful alcohol policy helps ensure a fair and competitive marketplace, protects public health and safety, and allows businesses of all sizes to thrive. By maintaining strong relationships with lawmakers and industry partners, Michigan’s beer and wine distributors have helped modernize laws while preserving the structure and accountability of the proven three-tier system. As we recognize family-owned businesses across the state this June, it is worth celebrating the role Michigan’s beer and wine distributors have played for decades and will continue to play in the years ahead. Their strength lies not only in their ability to adapt, but in the values that have guided them from the beginning: local ownership, strong relationships, and a commitment to doing business the right way. Spencer Nevins is president of the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association in Lansing.

Mid-Michigan beer distributor celebrates 65 years in business, three generations of family leadership

By Rebecca Stow • May 4, 2026
OWOSSO, Mich. – Main Beverage Company marks 65 years in business this year, celebrating three generations of family leadership and a legacy rooted in mid-Michigan.

Ypsilanti beer distributor partners on limited-edition release for Ann Arbor Summer Festival

By Rebecca Stow • April 14, 2026
YPSILANTI, Mich. – Local, family-owned beer distributor O&W Inc. in Ypsilanti is celebrating its collaboration with Michigan-based Griffin Claw Brewing Company to develop a limited-edition Session IPA for the upcoming Ann Arbor Summer Festival (A2SF).