The changing fortunes of alcohol in a K-shaped economy
Changing drinking habits and inflation are shaking up the economics of alcohol
Beer & cider
Alcohol shake-up: Staying in is the new going out
Inflation is pushing more people to drink at home - and opening up unexpected opportunities for alcohol brands
The world’s top alcohol brands
Kantar BrandZ reveals which brands dominate the global beverage alcohol market
What makes the best alcohol brands stand out?
Kantar BrandZ’s rankings shows a 7% decline in value of the world’s top 20 alcohol brands. So what’s the key to building a powerful brand in this new era?
Soccer strategies: How can bars and pubs make the most of the World Cup?
In Europe, most matches will start late in the evening. Will the events still drive drinks sales?
BrewDog co-founder to launch new beer brand
James Watt announces the launch of Second Best. Coming almost 20 years after BrewDog’s debut, what will be different?
It’s time to stop painting Gen Z as teetotal
At 15% ABV, BuzzBallz shows Gen Z still has plenty of appetite for alcohol. And it’s not the only brand finding success with this demographic
Why Guinness is bucking all the trends in alcohol
The stout continues to see viral popularity despite alcohol’s decline
New product development
New beverage launches: Fibre shots, Capri Sun, Captain Morgan and more…
Non-alcoholic beer and mid-strength wine, fibre shots, hydration pouches and flavour-led spirits are top of the agenda for brands
Heineken enjoys premium boost in Q1 sales: but warns of Iran impact
After a difficult 2025, Heineken has seen a ‘solid’ first quarter but warns of an increasingly complex and uncertain macroeconomic environment
Shanghai alcohol warning label trials in full swing across online and offline sales
Alcohol warning label trials move into full implementation in China’s most populous city Shanghai, with strict requirements for retailers across online and offline sales channels
Lidl to open its first ever pub, as private label readies to shake up alcohol
Private label is evolving, fast: and the alcohol aisle is the next target
What’s the outlook for craft beer in 2026?
While US craft beer volumes were down in 2025, brewers are finding pockets of growth
Building an alcohol-free beer brand: Secrets to success from Athletic Brewing and Lucky Saint
These top independent brewers have helped build up the non-alc beer category
New product development
New beverage launches: Diageo whiskey, mango beer, Creamsicle shake…
Brands across beverages are leaning into functional benefits, nostalgia and bolder flavour profiles as companies expand portfolios to capture evolving drinking occasions and consumer expectations
Top trends in beverage alcohol in 2026
The beverage industry is under a structural reset. Where are the key areas for growth?
AB InBev, Heineken, Molson Coors: How the biggest brewers are future-proofing their businesses
There’s no quick fix for the structural challenges in the beer category. So what strategies are the world’s biggest brewers turning to?
Brewers’ global search for growth opportunities
Beer volumes in the US and Western Europe are now in long-term decline. Where might other opportunities lie?
Craft beer shake-up as Tilray buys BrewDog’s US business
Can Tilray, the NY-headquartered CPG company, become a top 3 US craft brewer?
Asahi profit dips after Japan cyberattack, Europe weather woes
Beverage giant Asahi has reported a decline in profits after its Japan business was hit by a cyberattack last September, underscoring growing digital vulnerabilities across the food sector
Can George Clooney replicate his Casamigos success in non-alcoholic beer?
George Clooney has teamed up with his Casamigos co-founders to launch Crazy Mountain, a new non-alcoholic brew
Could beer byproduct help create better cultivated meat?
Brewers spent yeast holds the potential to create cultivated meat that better matches the mouthfeel and texture of animal products
How Tilray is turbocharging growth with BrewDog acquisition: ‘We’re accelerating our strategy by years!’
Acquiring the Scottish craft beer brand takes American CPG company Tilray global
How Diageo will push its premium power - without the premium price tag
Forget all the noise about alcohol-free and GLP-1 drugs: the fundamental problem for spirits is people have less money to spend, says Diageo CEO Dave Lewis
New beverage launches: Sanpellegrio, mid-strength wine, Aviation gin and more…
Brands across spirits, wine, soft drinks and energy are pushing seasonal innovation, category expansion and premium cues
The rise and fall of BrewDog
Punk beer brand BrewDog was the pioneer of the UK craft beer movement: but this month was sold in a cut-price deal to America’s Tilray Brands. What happened?
Tilray Brands acquires BrewDog
Rising US CPG company Tilray Brands is the new owner of the BrewDog craft beer brand and selected UK assets
Three things ‘Drastic Dave’ will change, right now, at Diageo
Seven weeks into the job, CEO Sir Dave Lewis has identified where he’ll start making changes
Weak US sales drag Diageo results down
Diageo has lowered its sales guidance for the year, with US sales weaker than expected in H1
BrewDog put up for sale
BrewDog has appointed financial experts, AlixPartners, to explore options for the future of the business
AB InBev champions strength of megabrands in difficult beer market
AB InBev remains confident in the fundamental strengths of the beer category: and the power of brands such as Corona and Michelob Ultra
Why Sake is on a runway for global growth
The traditional Japanese beverage taps into top consumer demands for premium drinks with authenticity and craftsmanship; as well as offering a versatile lower alcohol option as a base for cocktails and more
Constellation Brands announces next CEO
Bill Newlands will retire in April: and Nicholas Fink will take over as the company’s next president and CEO
Gen Z is drinking again, but alcohol is still in trouble
Alcohol consumption is in decline, and not just because of the allegedly health conscious young
Heineken to cut up to 6,000 jobs as beer consumption weakens
Heineken will cut between 5,000 and 6,000 jobs over the next two years
The rise of clean alcohol
Widespread demand for clean label is finally reaching the alcohol category
New product development
New beverage launches: Coca‑Cola Cherry Float, Rockstar and more…
Across alcohol, soft drinks and wellness‑focused hydration, launches this month highlight continued consumer demand for personalisation, nostalgia and sensory escapism.
Global beer consumption rises on growth in India, Russia and Thailand – Kirin
Beer consumption increased a marginal 0.5% globally, narrowly avoiding decline thanks to sharp gains in key emerging markets, according to Kirin
Kirin doubling down on beer innovation and R&D to fuel global growth
Beer giant Kirin is ramping up focus on its beer and R&D businesses to drive international growth, boosting the use of new technology and localisation
Clearer and more flexible: India’s 2026 alcohol regulations
India’s new alcohol regulations include mandatory labelling and expanded category definitions, signalling greater consumer transparency and flexibility for producers
Mars, Danone and Mondelēz roll out star-studded Super Bowl ads
From celebrity cameos to cashback promos, food and beverage brands are pulling out all the stops ahead of kickoff
5 things we’ve learned about the alcohol-free category this January
January is the month when alcohol-free drinks really have the chance to shine. What have we learned about the direction of the category in 2026?
The most popular alcohol-free brands in the US this month, according to search data
Tracking January’s search data reveals the rising stars in the US alcohol-free category...
How Heineken created the world’s top alcohol-free beer brand
Heineken 0.0 is a master class in great innovation. Here’s what Heineken did right.
Beer 3.0: The new frontier where craft pushes boundaries
For many years, the craft movement defined beer innovation: but younger drinkers are looking for products to call their own. How can the beer category respond?
Drinking less but drinking better: Understanding the moderation movement
Consumers want to be healthier; so they’re cutting back on alcohol. But is it really that simple?
Heineken: Will a change at the top revitalize the brewer?
Heineken has set out its strategy for success: the search is now on for someone to lead it
Five areas of innovation for Heineken’s R&D team
Heineken needs to set itself up for the future as the beer category struggles. Its strategy is to invest in innovation: so what’s brewing?
US drinking guidelines revamped in dramatic shift
New US drinking recommendations now simply state that less alcohol is better
Up The Food Chain
What’s brewing at Heineken? Behind the scenes with the R&D chief
Hubert te Braake already had the dream job: as director of research and development at Heineken, he’s tasked with creating the world’s next big brews. Now he’s been given a shiny new €45m ($53m) lab to do it from