Bob Skilnik has recently published a book entitled Does My Butt Look Big in this Beer? It shows the nutritional values for 2,000 beers, along the lines TTB may soon require on every alcohol beverage label. The book serves a valuable function by providing this information in the here and now, rather than waiting a few years for the rules to kick in. It provides a helpful glimpse of where things are headed. Skilnik has been following the beer business for many decades and has written several books on beer and nutrition. Skilnik says:

Whether brewers, vintners or distillers like it or not, the Alcohol Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), responsible for labeling requirements of alcoholic beverages, is close to making it mandatory for alcoholic beverages to list their nutritional values. … In the following pages, you’ll find nutritional information now that will help you to enjoy the moderate consumption of worldwide beer.

Skilnik has collected a lot of information and presented it clearly. The book provides an easy way to see, for example, that among about 100 listed Anheuser-Busch products, there is not a whole lot of variation in alcohol content or calories. The Bud Light Lime is way down around 3.1% alcohol by volume and 116 calories (per 12 ounces). And the Hurricane High...

Modern Spirits makes about nine “artisan vodkas.” They are based in Monrovia, California. We wanted to feature them because they tend to gravitate away from ordinary flavors and toward the unusual. Above is Vodka Infused with Oregon Black Truffle. And here is Celery Peppercorn. We don’t see any ordinary flavors in Modern’s portfolio of “sipping vodkas” which also includes these flavored vodkas:  Candied Ginger, Rose Petal, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Orange, Grapefruit Honey, Pear Lavender, Three Tea. But wait, there’s more. They also make “custom vodka” to your individual specifications, as part of their “Haute Custom Vodka” program. It works like this:

Haute is a new line of one-of-a-kind flavored spirits created by Modern Spirits for individual clients to match their unique passions, personalities and palates. Like custom perfume and couture clothing, Haute creations are designed exclusively for each client and are available for their sole purchase. … Upon receiving a commission, we follow a strict five-step process to produce each Haute creation … a personal interview to help us identify [the client’s] passions, personalities and palates. … We create up to three Haute samples that combine different base spirits and ingredients from around the world to fit each client’s flavor profile. … Submit the formula and labeling for government approval. … Create, bottle and package...

This Bacardi Island Breeze label blew in with a bang, in late 2005, and blew out quickly thereafter. Bacardi apparently had big plans for this “lite spirit.” The company booked Kim Cattrall for print and TV ads. But just a few years later, there is almost no trace of this brand or the ads. This label remains significant because it is one of the very few that refers to a Serving Size of 1.5 fluid ounces, and the “USDA National Nutrient Database.” TTB is moving toward requiring this information, in an expanded way, on all alcohol beverage labels. Diageo has pointed to this label and grumbled that it should be allowed to do something similar, too. This product is also one of very few using sucralose as a sweetener.