Alcohol Regulation

Mexico is the world's largest exporter of beer, but craft brewers have yet to catch up. Pic: Cerveza Mexico

Mexican craft beer looks to mimic big-brand success with exports

By Beth Newhart

At the recent Cerveza México 2019 event, it was revealed that the country’s craft beer market is nearly up to 1,400 independent breweries with a 29 million litre output. The industry relies heavily on exports to the US and Europe to keep up with annual...

Truly has recently announced a reformulation, a hard lemonade product and a sponsorship with the NHL.

Truly will be the first hard seltzer served in-flight

By Beth Newhart

In a new deal inked with JetBlue, Truly Hard Seltzer will be the first official alcoholic seltzer of a US airline. Starting this fall, the Wild Berry flavor will be available on all JetBlue flights.

Truly says the new formula makes the beverages more drinkable without any lingering bitterness.

Truly Hard Seltzer reformulates for fall

By Beth Newhart

Truly has reformulated its 13 flavors of hard seltzer to make them ‘crisper and more refreshing,’ and will add four new SKUs with a flavored lemonade line.

Pic:iStock

Binge drinking falls globally

By Rachel Arthur

Binge drinking has fallen by 18% or more across the Americas, Europe and Africa, according to figures from the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking.

Pic: Getty/NikiLitov

Gen X holds more potential in alcohol than millennials

By Beth Newhart

Most food and beverage categories direct their marketing strategy toward millennials and the upcoming Gen Z generations, largely disregarding everyone older than 40. Experts say it’s the wrong move.

Pic:getty/markwagonerproductions

Guest article

Changes to alcohol duty are down to government

By Steve Perez, founder and chairman, Global Brands

A new report from the Social Market Foundation for reforming alcohol duty in the UK is welcome. However, Brexit won’t create a realistic opportunity for changing alcohol taxes to encourage more responsible drinking. This requires a change in Government...

Gen Z wants to consume and share beverages online that are in line with their own personal brand. Pic: Getty/Astarot

How does Gen Z respond to seasonal alcohol favorites?

By Beth Newhart

Gen Z-ers of drinking age are more traditional than they are given credit for, showing strong interest in IPA craft beers and wine moving into the autumn season, despite the noise and popularity of flavored malt beverages (FMBs) and CBD products.

Australian wine tour comes to the US this month

By Beth Newhart

Wine Australia will put on a national campaign in the US this month, featuring a six-city roadshow and more than 900 wines from Down Under. The ‘Far From Ordinary’ tour kicks off on September 19.

Yumix cocktails land in Walmart

By Beth Newhart

Mix-your-own cocktail brand Yumix has launched its products in 400 Walmart stores across the US, featuring low-calorie and no added sugar formulas.

Rather than steel tanks, the GoFermentor ferments inside disposable, biodegradable plastic bags.

Can winemaking go tankless and water-free?

By Beth Newhart

Wineries struggle with massive water waste during production, which is particularly hard on urban-based and small startup winemakers. The self-contained GoFermentor system wants to change that.

A potential aggressor to the market is European tariffs, particularly in wine trade with France. Pic: Getty/BrianAJackson

A healthy job market bolsters US wine and spirits

By Beth Newhart

Both large and small US wine and spirits (W&S) companies have been more progressive and competitive with work benefits and compensation than the market average, according to a talent report from ForceBrands.

There’s been an upswing in the craft mocktail market, spurring the drive to skip the booze. Pic: Getty/Erik Wieder

Will ‘canna-curious’ adults ever ditch alcohol?

By Beth Newhart

US adults are drinking less and picking up low ABV drinks or alcohol alternatives. Cannabis is potentially the biggest market looking to snap up that audience, but can alcohol be replaced?

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.

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.