Alcohol Regulation

Breweries should follow the three pillars of sustainability: social, environmental and economic. Pic: Brewers Association

Sustainability spotlight

Going green: How can craft brewers improve sustainability?

By Beth Newhart

Craft brewers may talk the sustainability talk – but find it a lot harder to walk the sustainability walk. Tracking performance can help reveal effective ways to improve, say experts.

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.”

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...

IPLs have the potential to bridge the gap between beer’s two main categories.

India Pale Lagers carve out a niche in craft beer

By Beth Newhart

A marriage between India Pale Ales (IPAs) and lager beer, India Pale Lagers (IPLs) have been a small sub-category of craft beer for the past 10-15 years. Often described as ‘strong, hoppy’ lagers, recent IPL launches are fighting for shelf space in the...

There are now more than 900 cideries in the US with at least one in 48 states. Pic: Eric Lewandowski

New craft beverage bill excites the cider industry

By Beth Newhart

The Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA) is back in the US Senate with bipartisan support after first being introduced in 2015. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) are co-sponsoring the bill to “level the playing field for...

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.

“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.

TTB employees have been directed not to report to work and prohibited from volunteering work during the shutdown. Pic: ©GettyImages/chabybucko

US government shutdown stalls craft beer innovation

By Beth Newhart

After the government shut down on December 22 due to disputes around President Trump’s border wall funding, the effects have been felt throughout the country. Without federal programs in place, the beer and wine industries are facing trouble with new...

MillerCoors wanted to terminate its brewing partnership with Pabst for 'financial reasons.' Pic:istock

Pabst Blue Ribbon and Schlitz saved by MillerCoors settlement

By Beth Newhart

After months of legal drama and a two-week trial between Pabst Brewing Co. and MillerCoors, the two beer giants settled a lawsuit last week. Pabst had alleged that MillerCoors, who brews and packages most of Pabst’s products, was attempting to put it...

Pic:iStock

opinion

Attacks on Aussie alcohol ads fail to balance the evidence

By Richard Whitehead

A year after it was amended to include restrictions on the placement of alcohol advertising in Australia, the Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code (ABAC) has been attracting growing criticism from researchers who say the changes are unlikely to reduce young...

Raising prices is one of the most effective methods of deterring people from drinking excess alcohol.

World Health Organization launches ‘Safer’ alcohol initiative

By Beth Newhart

The World Health Organization (WHO) is tackling alcohol-related deaths and illnesses through its new program Safer. It outlines five ‘high-impact strategies’ for governments around the world to follow that can reduce the harmful effects of alcohol use.

Alcohol accounts for 4.7% of brick-and-mortar grocery sales in the US - and just 0.7% online. Diageo's Distill Ventures explains why.

Digital natives? ‘Drink brands are behind the times’

By Rachel Arthur

Mainstream culture has seen huge changes with the rise of social media, the internet, ecommerce and smartphones. Innovation and disruption has turned many industries upside down when it comes to retail and marketing, but to date the drinks industry has...

Does this image feature nostalgic cues - or bright colours that appeal to children?

Nostalgia may seem nice – but alcohol brands should use with care

By Rachel Arthur

An increasing number of brands are drawing on nostalgia as a marketing tool: but alcohol brands that try to appeal to an adult’s inner child must take care that they do not also inadvertently appeal to children today, warns the Portman Group.

Pic:iStock

What - exactly - is ‘alcohol free’?

By Rachel Arthur

In Europe, an ‘alcohol-free’ drink is defined as one under 0.5% ABV. In the UK, however, an ‘alcohol-free’ drink must be 0.05% ABV or below. But the UK’s definition could change, with the government currently consulting on new regulations for low alcohol...

Pic:iStock

Canadian spirits exports fall

By Rachel Arthur

The value of Canadian spirits exports declined 5.1% in 2017, although spirits remain by far the largest alcohol export category for the country.

The UK uses units to indicate the amount of alcohol per serve, but this is useless unless put in the context of government drinking guidelines, says the RSPH. Pic:iStock

Call for cigarette-style health warnings on alcohol

By Rachel Arthur

The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) is calling for the introduction of new labeling regulations – such as cigarette-style health warnings, drink drive warnings, and calorie content – on alcoholic drinks in the UK.

Alcohol group slams attempt to ‘create crisis’ over sports ads

This week Down Under

Alcohol group slams attempt to ‘create crisis’ over sports ads

By RJ Whitehead

The Australian drinks industry has accused an alcohol awareness group of “attempting to create a crisis where none exists” after it called for TV ads promoting alcohol to be phased out at times when children were likely to be watching sports broadcasts.

Wild Tonic Jun Kombucha's 5.6% ABV line will releasing new flavors in fall 2017, the company said.

Wild Tonic Jun Kombucha expands 5.6% ABV beverage line

By Mary Ellen Shoup

Wild Tonic Jun Kombucha’s 5.6% ABV line is expanding its distribution and flavor offerings aiming to take the alcoholic fermented beverage nationwide in the US by mid-2018, the company said. 

The packaging in question, which CollaGin says is no longer available.

CollaGin complaint upheld for ‘making therapeutic claims’

By Rachel Arthur

The Independent Complaints Panel has upheld two complaints against CollaGin – a UK gin distilled with pure collagen – for packaging that ‘suggested the product had therapeutic qualities or could help with the consumer’s appearance in some way’.