Beam Global Spirits & Wine Joins Brussels-Based European Forum for Responsible Drinking

Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc., a unit of Fortune Brands
(NYSE:FO), is proud to announce its membership in the European Forum
for Responsible Drinking {EFRD), effective February, 2008.

EFRD is the leading pan-European organization supporting targeted
initiatives to promote responsible drinking. Made up of leading
spirits companies with operations in Europe, EFRD initiatives focus on
attitudinal and awareness programs; responsible marketing;
self-regulation; promotion of a better understanding of the evidence
base.

"As a company that continues to expand its presence throughout
Europe, Beam Global is proud to be associated with EFRD," said Chris
Swonger, senior vice president of corporate affairs, Beam Global
Spirits & Wine. "We are aligned with EFRD´s belief that promoting
responsible alcohol consumption requires broad societal commitment and
a concerted effort by all relevant stakeholders. The EFRD alliance of
spirits companies acts proactively in Europe to promote responsible
consumption by adults, and to discourage abusive consumption -
including underage drinking. We are proud to be a part of that effort
in Europe where our business is expanding."

"Beam Global Spirits & Wine has a track record for being a
responsible corporate citizen within the spirits industry and we are
delighted to welcome them as members of the European Forum for
Responsible Drinking," says Elizabeth Crossick, Chairwoman, EFRD.

EFRD and its member companies believe that:

-- There is a cultural complexity to alcohol consumption across
Europe.

-- Patterns of drinking, volume of consumption and harm
associated with alcohol abuse vary by region and Member State.
Therefore no single approach to alcohol policy is likely to
succeed uniformly across Europe.

-- Harm associated with alcohol abuse is largely related to
high-risk drinking patterns.

-- The vast majority of European adults consume alcohol
responsibly and it is now widely recognised that patterns of
drinking, and not simply volume of alcohol consumption,
provide the best predictors of alcohol-related harm.

-- Any harm associated with alcohol abuse reduction strategy
should be underpinned by robust evidence and sound data.

-- The most effective strategies for reducing harm associated
with alcohol abuse are those that bring about sustainable
results towards reducing risky drinking patterns.

Donard Gaynor, Managing Director, International, Beam Global
Spirits & Wine will represent the company at EFRD executive meetings.
"I am looking forward to assuming this important role," said Gaynor.
"I will be working with the other EFRD members to identify strategies
that address common issues across Europe."

Headquartered in the United States, Beam Global Spirits & Wine is
committed to promoting responsibility. As its business has expanded
globally - so has the company´s involvement with associations and
alliances that promote responsible consumption. For more information,
please visit the corporate social responsibility segment of
www.beamglobal.com.

Beam Global Spirits & Wine funds, supports or is a signatory to
social aspects groups around the world including The International
Center for Alcohol Policies. In Europe, the company supports Alcohol
In Moderation {AIM}, Spain´s Fundacion Alcohol y Sociedad {FAS} and
Federacion Espanola de bebidas Espiratuosas; the UK´s Drinkaware
Trust. Beam Global is a signatory to the UK´s Portman Group.
Additionally, as a member of the Brussels-based EU trade association -
the European Spirits Association - CEPS, we support the groundbreaking
Charter on Responsible Alcohol Consumption.

About Beam Global:

Inspiring conversations around the world, Beam Global Spirits &
Wine, Inc., is building brands people want to talk about.
Consumers from all corners of the globe call for our brands, including
Jim Beam(R) Bourbon, Sauza(R) Tequila, Canadian Club(R) Whisky,
Courvoisier(R) Cognac, Maker´s Mark(R) Bourbon, Laphroaig(R) Scotch
Whisky, Larios(R) Gin, Whisky DYC(R), Teacher´s(R) Scotch Whisky,
DeKuyper(R) Cordials and Liqueurs, Knob Creek(R) Bourbon and
Starbucks(TM) Liqueurs. Beam Global Spirits & Wine is part of Fortune
Brands, Inc. (NYSE:FO), a leading consumer brands company with annual
sales exceeding USD 8 billion. For more information on Beam Global
Spirits & Wine, its brands, and its commitment to social
responsibility, please visit www.beamglobal.com.

About the European Forum for Responsible Drinking (EFRD):

The European Forum for Responsible Drinking (EFRD) is an alliance
of leading European spirits producers supporting targeted initiatives
to promote responsible drinking. These initiatives focus on
attitudinal and awareness programs, responsible marketing and
self-regulation as well as the promotion of a better understanding of
the evidence base. In 2008, EFRD became a member of the European
Spirits Organisation - CEPS to support the overall spirits industry in
meeting the expectations of stakeholders towards responsible
commercial communications and a reduction of alcohol-related harm.

EFRD members include: Bacardi-Martini, Beam Global Spirits & Wine,
Brown-Forman, Diageo, Moet-Hennessy, Pernod Ricard, Remy-Cointreau and
V&S Group.Visit www.efrd.org for further information.