Retail & Shopper Insights

It’s likely the craft beer industry has reached its growth peak and will continue dealing with its overcrowded market. Pic: Getty/Picnote

US craft beer slows while spirits take off

By Beth Newhart

The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies (PMMI) has released a new report on machinery and automation trends among breweries and distilleries, who are scaling back on production goals and diversifying offerings to stay competitive.

“The technology allows the craft side of coffee to replicate what’s so exciting about experiencing unique coffee.”

Shelf-stable RAIN tech could change the canned coffee space

By Beth Newhart

A concern in the RTD beverage industry is maintaining freshness and quality with a long shelf life. Special, crafted drinks like cold brew coffee struggle with this the most, but brewing technology from BKON is now extending product drinkability.

Coca-Cola's bubbler dispensers put an emphasis on 'craft, elevated' beverages with low sugar options. Pic: BeverageDaily

Coca-Cola cuts back on sugar with bubbler beverages

By Beth Newhart

Shifting consumer taste is causing major beverage companies to adapt, make ‘healthy’ drinks taste better and be more accessible. Coca-Cola is using its Freestyle machines and new bubbler dispensers to highlight its ‘craft, elevated’ drinks in the market.

Consumers don’t want to be ‘couch-locked’ all day because of an edible, so the effects of Phyx only last about an hour.

New THC water offers alcohol alternative ‘Phyx’

By Beth Newhart

Joining the market of cannabis-infused products is Phyx, a THC flavored sparkling water, which hopes its low-dose and fast-acting formula will better perform as an alcohol replacement.

Bud Light Lemon Tea

A study in citrus: Summer launches showcase citrus sparkle

By Rachel Arthur

Citrus has always been a summer staple - but the category is evolving with exotic varieties and spicy combinations. As the warmer months approach in the northern hemisphere, we take a look at how citrus is springing onto shelves this year.

The machines are currently available to preorder online and retail for $399.

Drinkworks Home Bar expands beyond St. Louis

By Beth Newhart

A collaboration between AB InBev and Keurig Dr Pepper is bringing its Drinkworks pilot program to new markets this spring. The Drinkworks Home Bar by Keurig is now available statewide in Missouri and Florida.

Tea is taking on bigger roles out-of-home and outside cafes with food pairings and tea-infused foods. Pic: Getty/ThitareeSarmkasat

How can tea stay competitive?

By Beth Newhart

Alternate brewing methods, teas on tap, hard kombucha and more. The tea world is experimenting with “unique and more unusual, innovative ingredients” to keep consumers interested.

By January 2019 more than 100 million Waterloo cans were sold in the US, since launching in August 2017.

Waterloo launches new flavors, leverages ‘classic’ packaging

By Beth Newhart

Waterloo Sparkling Water debuted an expanded portfolio at Natural Products Expo West last month, launching Strawberry and Grape flavors. It’s the latest in the increasingly crowded sparkling water category, where brands are seeking to separate themselves...

The new beer has an ABV of 5% and will be available through the summer at select locations.

Dunkin’ releases second beer innovation with Harpoon Brewery

By Beth Newhart

Last fall Dunkin’ announced a limited edition partnership with Harpoon Brewery for its first-ever beer, the Harpoon Dunkin’ Coffee Porter. The two have teamed up again for a warm weather brew, the Harpoon Dunkin' Summer Coffee Pale Ale. Dunkin’ also...

The climate was ripe for Bar None at Coca-Cola thanks to alcohol consumption patterns driven by health-engaged consumers.

Setting the bar: Coca-Cola invests in mocktails with internal RTD line

By Beth Newhart

Coca-Cola dips into alcohol alternatives with the launch of Bar None, a collection of ready-to-drink mocktails. It's a new look for Coke with a “shift in the growth mindset of the company” that is “adopting more growth behaviors, being curious, taking...

Corn syrup is used as a common fermentation aid, and MillerCoors explains it is never in the glass, bottle, or can of Miller Lite or Coors Light that consumers drink.

MillerCoors sues AB InBev over Super Bowl ad

By Beth Newhart

Anheuser-Busch debuted a Bud Light commercial during this year’s Super Bowl that slammed Miller Lite and Coors Light for using corn syrup in their beer. MillerCoors has now filed suit against AB InBev for “false and misleading advertising.”

Cherry cold brew will join the Shandy's existing Lemonade and Grapefruit flavors this summer.

La Colombe marries citrus and coffee at Expo West

By Beth Newhart

Philadelphia-based La Colombe Coffee Roasters debuted a Shandy-inspired RTD coffee collection last summer with Lemonade and Grapefruit. At Expo West in Anaheim last week it previewed a Cherry flavor, launching summer 2019.

Stella calls its latest launch “a twist on the classic white wine spritzer.”

Spritzer is Stella’s first US innovation since 2013

By Beth Newhart

Stella Artois is expanding its cider portfolio in the US with a new wine spritzer alternative, made from a blend of apples and hibiscus flavors. It’s the first nationwide ‘liquid innovation’ from the brand since 2013.

Johnnie Walker, Pernod Ricard & Coca-Cola are all exploring personalisation. Pic:Getty/svetazi

Guest article

The path to true liquid personalisation

By Jon Reay, founder, Rewrite Digital

Personalisation in drinks has been talked about for years: yet we’re only now starting to see fully tailorable liquids and the era of truly personalised ‘drinks on demand’ and ‘drinks as a service’ is still emerging.

An interest in foreign market wines is expected to flourish in 2019, assisted by ecommerce capabilities. Pic: ©GettyImages/Kent Woo / EyeEm

Millennials buy more wine online and want it to be organic

By Beth Newhart

The wine industry is shaping up to be more transparent and international than ever in 2019. Consumers want more local, sustainably sourced wines, but at the same time they are expanding their palates to newcomers on the market from places like Bulgaria,...

94% of US adults support alcohol-content labeling on alcoholic beverages. Pic: ©GettyImages/Bill Oxford

Consumer groups criticize TTB modern alcohol labels

By Beth Newhart

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), Consumer Federation of America (CFA), and National Consumers League (NCL) say that alcohol labeling changes proposed by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TBB) 'fall dramatically short...

California's marijuana marketplace generated an estimated $2.5bn in sales in 2018.

Two Roots Brewing Co. expands cannabis drinks to California

By Beth Newhart

Cannabis-infused beer alternatives from Two Roots Brewing Co. are coming to California dispensaries. The Two Roots brand debuted THC and CBD options last summer in Nevada, brewed as alcohol-stripped craft beer.

 An uptick in ‘health and wellness’ launches usually coincides with the new year and resolution season. Pic: ©GettyImages/Rimma_Bondarenko

Wellness world: Six new functional drinks for 2019

By Beth Newhart

Capitalizing on the popularity of the ‘new year, new me’ mentality that comes around each January, these six beverage launches feature functional ingredients, adhere to specific diets and set out to be a fresh, healthy addition to 2019.

Health and wellness trends mean consumers are moving away from high calorie, sugary drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

Alcohol-free Heineken 0.0 lands in the US

By Beth Newhart

After initially launching in early 2017, Heineken’s first non-alcoholic beer has expanded to more than 30 global markets and is now officially coming to the US. Though not as popular a trend as it is in Europe, the low-ABV and no-alcohol US beer and wine...

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