Beam Acquires Pinnacle for $605M

Dear Client: Yes, you're reading that correctly. Beam Inc. announced this morning it has reached an agreement with White Rock Distillers to acquire Pinnacle Vodka and Calico Jack rum brands and other related assets for $605 million in cash. Pinnacle is expected to exceed 3 million 9-liter cases in 2012, said the company, and obviously greatly enhances Beam's presence in the vodka category. Currently it is the fourth largest imported vodka brand in the United States. In fact, Pinnacle's unflavored