This Saturday, November 23, Marsh’s Liquor Store in Norwell will be hosting a KEEL vodka tasting with 11-year New England Patriot, one of the brand’s three local owners. Light will be signing bottles from 2:00-5:00pm.
There has been a recent surge in celebs crossing into the spirits industry but how does this trend apply to professional athletes? Obviously, current players can't tout alcohol but retirees can. Who's selling the suds these days? In retirement, players have mellowed. Most gridiron greats are finding nirvana in grapes these days. Former NFL play-makers toiling as winemakers include: Mike Ditka, Joe Montana, Dan Marino, Drew Bledsoe, Charles Woodson, Rick Mirer, Terry Hoage and legendary coach Dick Vermeil. Why is Light the only athlete dabbling in vodka? Vodka is the most popular spirit in the world and the industry is on fire, yet #72 is the only former NFLer stirring up the market with KEEL Vodka, the nation’s lowest calorie premium spirit.
KEEL launched 7 months ago in Rhode Island, then crossed over the border into Massachusetts in August and the brand is now poised for national expansion. KEEL is crafted for those that want to maintain an active lifestyle - thus the tagline, "Stay Balanced". Today’s social drinkers overwhelmingly drink light beers - and KEEL’s three owners, 3-time Pro Bowler, 3-time Super Bowl Champion Light and Rhode Island entrepreneurs Bill Dessel and Tom McGowan saw a vodka market void and worked for 2 years to launch the brand. Unlike the less-than-tasty skinny cocktail that took the market by storm several years ago and quickly sold for more than a billion, KEEL is a smooth, quality spirit that appeals to men and women, young and old. Honestly, what guy ever bellied up and ordered a Skinny Girl? KEEL is perfect for business professionals, health-conscious consumers, busy moms or athletes who want to enjoy a few drinks, yet wake up the next day and get things done. With back-to-back holiday parties on the calendar, gift-giving on honey-do lists and waistlines challenged by seasonal festivities, KEEL is definitely in the red zone.
