Ingredients

“People want to avoid calories and sugar, but they also don’t necessarily want the current options that are out there in artificial.” Pic: Cargill

EverSweet fights stevia aftertaste with fermentation

By Beth Newhart

Cargill thinks the future ‘looks bright’ for stevia in beverages thanks to fermentation that extracts the smaller, sweeter compounds in the leaf. It’s been one year since Cargill launched its zero-calorie EverSweet ingredient with the technology.

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.

When it comes to purchasing behavior, product knowledge is even more important than taste physiology. Pic: Getty/Rawpixel

Should brands be marketing to ‘supertasters’?

By Beth Newhart

Taste sensitivity could be an untapped sector for beverages like wine and coffee, according to new research from Cornell University. Supertasters and nontasters respond differently to sensory information, with potential for new marketing strategies.

Unique flavors and alternate aging methods are a main focus area for craft distillers in specialized cocktails.  Pic: Getty/CabecaDeMarmore

BEVERAGE FORUM 2019

A ‘complex’ consumer base challenges US alcohol

By Beth Newhart

Over the past decade, the beverage category has been defined by the millennial generation, driven by local craft brands. The 2020s are expected to be shaped by Gen Z, with further digitization of brands using smart technology.

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.

Most of the kombucha available in Malaysia now is imported, particularly from Australia and America. Pic: Getty/boyarkinamarina

Reviving Malaysia’s kombucha tradition

By Richard Whitehead

It’s not often that people think of a small country in Southeast Asia as a trendsetter, but when it comes to kombucha, Malaysia saw the now-fashionable fermented tea rise to wild levels of popularity—and then wither away—years before the first hipster...

Re-positioning soda and co-locating CPG divisions are just some of big brands' strategies. Pic: Getty/jonnysek

BEVERAGE FORUM 2019

How big soda is taking an ‘honest’ approach to consumer health habits

By Beth Newhart

PepsiCo, Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) and other major soda brands are still learning to grapple with the health and wellness wave that’s causing consumers to drop their sugary drinks for something ‘better-for-you’. Executives spoke at the 2019 Beverage Forum...

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...

It can take up to 100 frozen apples to make one bottle of ice cider using cryoextraction. Pic: Milton Ciderie

30 years of Canadian ice cider draws international attention

By Beth Newhart

A sweet, dessert cider that mimics the style of ice wine is slowly spreading beyond its point of origin. Canada’s ice cider is finding a niche market in the US with craft cidermakers willing to undertake the lengthy freezing, thawing and fermenting process.

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.

In 2018, Rise opened a flagship cafe in Manhattan, established a presence in the Pacific Northwest and launched its oat-based lattes.

Rise Brewing Co partners with new Olympic sports

By Beth Newhart

Nitro cold brew coffee brand Rise Brewing Co. has announced a partnership with USA Surfing and USA Climbing ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. In furthers Rise’s mission to ramp up national distribution and recognition.

A88 is positioned to take a leadership position in the emerging hemp-infused beverage category.

Alkaline Water Co. furthers hemp drink plans

By Beth Newhart

The Alkaline Water Company – makers of pink Himalayan rock salt brand Alkaline88 – is gearing up to launch a new hemp infused drink this year, using new technology

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.

Flying Embers expands hard kombucha line

By Beth Newhart

Kombucha continues to grow in popularity, capitalizing on trends like fermentation and functional ingredients. It’s also branching out beyond the tea market and into alcohol with hard, beer-alternative options like Flying Embers.

 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.

Today’s consumers are expecting function, taste, affordability and convenience all rolled into one beverage. Pic: ©GettyImages/baibaz

Superfoods take center stage in specialty beverages

By Beth Newhart

Functional beverage launches were common in 2018, and their popularity is only expected to grow in 2019. At the Winter Fancy Food Show (WWFS) in San Francisco, small-scale brands showcased new drinks packed with functional ingredients like rose extract,...

“In every aspect of their lives, people are demanding more and more transparency.

Bud Light premieres on-pack nutrition facts

By Beth Newhart

AB InBev announces that Bud Light will be the first US beer to feature large-format serving facts and an ingredients label on case packaging, in an effort to meet the level of transparency that consumers demand.

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...

Dunkin’ rolls out new packaging and Energy Cold Brew drink

By Beth Newhart

After announcing in September that the popular US-based coffee and donut chain would change its name from Dunkin’ Donuts to just Dunkin’, it’s officially launching the new brand identity in packaging and store design nationwide.

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Product Innovations

Virginia Dare Taste Foundations

Virginia Dare Taste Foundations

Virginia Dare’s Taste Foundations focuses on four premium extracts: vanilla, coffee, cocoa, and tea. These build the foundation for preferred taste, ensuring...