INDIANAPOLIS, May 17, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ ----As Memorial Day weekend and the Indy 500 approach, Jim Beam, in association with Team Penske drivers Helio Castroneves and Ryan Briscoe, are saluting U.S. troops and their families with a $175,000 donation to Operation Homefront. Operation Homefront is a nonprofit organization that provides emergency services to troops and their families.

In supporting Operation Homefront, Jim Beam, the world's No. 1-selling bourbon, honors the organization as part of the brand's renewed, top-down commitment to its own original values -- true character, integrity and doing the right thing.

"Jim Beam is doing the right thing by helping us keep military families and wounded warriors from homelessness and to keep these families safe and secure," said Amy Palmer, executive vice president of operations and development for Operation Homefront. "We're so grateful for this donation, which will allow us to enhance our support of the brave men and women in uniform and their families who are experiencing hardships."

"This donation is aimed at helping the people who risk their lives to protect our freedom: our troops and their families," said Fred Noe, seventh-generation Beam, distiller and Beam family ambassador. "We're so proud of Operation Homefront and all that they do, so we're putting it right on our bottle. A special limited-edition Operation Homefront label is going on more than 500,000 bottles of Jim Beam bourbon in time for Memorial Day."

Team Penske Drivers Show Their Own "Stuff Inside"

As the Indy 500 approaches, Team Penske drivers Helio Castroneves and Ryan Briscoe will rely on their own "stuff inside" to compete with 31 other accomplished drivers in "the greatest spectacle in racing."

"Ryan and I, and all of Team Penske, are proud to join Jim Beam in saluting Operation Homefront and our nation's military families," said Castroneves. "It's always exciting to drive the Indy 500 on Memorial Day weekend. It's a weekend dedicated to what keeps America strong -- the men and women who showed the ultimate "stuff inside" in serving our country."

Briscoe echoed Castroneves' statements, adding, "The Indianapolis 500 is considered by many to be the biggest event of Memorial Day weekend, but in joining Jim Beam in this salute to Operation Homefront, we want to remind fans that this weekend honors the commitments made to the U.S., by men and women in uniform and their families."

Post a Toast to the Troops on TheStuffInside.com

As Memorial Day approaches, Jim Beam also is inviting consumers to raise a glass to America's troops and their families for exhibiting "the stuff inside." The brand is hosting a "Post a Toast" in the Operation Homefront section of http://TheStuffInside.com. Consumers of legal drinking age and older are invited to toast the troops, honoring the true character, integrity, perseverance and honesty that America's armed forces -- and their families -- exhibit every day.

Toasts will appear on the site until July 4, and submitted toast(s) that best capture the spirit of "the stuff inside" may be considered for inclusion in Jim Beam advertising. For inspiration, check out Noe's inaugural audio toast in the Operation Homefront section of http://TheStuffInside.com.

For more information, please visit http://TheStuffInside.com, or http://www.jimbeam.com. Jim Beam 750-ml and 1-liter bottles featuring the limited edition Operation Homefront label will be on store shelves at the end of May and are estimated to be available until July 4.

About Operation Homefront

Operation Homefront began in San Diego shortly after Sept. 11, 2001 and now has 31 chapters across the country to respond to urgent requests from military families in need. The organization relies on charitable outreach of local volunteers and businesses like Jim Beam(R). Jim Beam's donation will provide much-needed services to solve crises which typically occur after a service member has deployed and the spouse and children are left behind. While Operation Homefront can flexibly address nearly any need, typical cases include auto repair or donation, home and appliance repair, distribution of refurbished computers so families can keep in touch, moving and transportation assistance, and baby items. For more information, please visit http://www.operationhomefront.net.

About Beam Global Spirits & Wine:

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 $8 billion. For more information on Beam Global Spirits & Wine, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit http://www.beamglobal.com and http://www.drinksmart.com.

 Jim Beam(R) Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey,
   40% Alc./Vol. (C)2008 Beam Global Spirits and Wine, Inc. Deerfield, IL 

SOURCE Jim Beam

http://www.jimbeam.com
   

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