Craft

Moringa dominates kale and matcha across nutrient categories like antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

Moringa stands out among superfoods at Fancy Food

By Beth Newhart

Known in ancient cultures as the 'tree of life,' moringa has grown into the western food and beverage industries, following the pattern of others like matcha. More competitors are now entering the market, and infiltrating the mainstream tea...

Pic:getty/sarapul38

Molson Coors buys Hop Stuff Brewery

By Rachel Arthur

Molson Coors has bought the brewery, brand and taprooms of Hop Stuff Brewery, after the London craft brewery was hit by financial difficulties.

Mingle drinks are less carbonated than soda, and an ideal alternative for someone seeking an ‘upscale’ non-alcoholic beverage.

Mingle Mocktails wants to make drinking occasions 'fun for everyone'

By Beth Newhart

At the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City, Philadelphia-based Mingle Mocktails expanded its range of upscale alcohol alternatives with the launch of Blood Orange Elderflower. Founder Laura Taylor said the time is ripe for mocktails brands like hers...

Are avocados the future of tea?

By Beth Newhart

A couple of ‘accidental avocado farmers’ from California found a better use for the leaves of avocado trees than grinding and trashing them--hot tea. Now they are bagging and flavoring the tea to be sold worldwide, launching this summer.

Rwanda's climate conditions, good soil and high elevation make it an optimal tea-growing location.

3 Mountains sees the potential for premium, on draft tea

By Beth Newhart

Independent craft tea brand 3 Mountains is betting on consumers’ interest in premium beverages and social change with its new Silverback Draft Tea, available in kegs and cans. It showcased the concept at last week’s Summer Fancy Food Show in New York...

What’s new in beverage at the Fancy Food Show?

What’s new in beverage at the Fancy Food Show?

By Beth Newhart

The Specialty Food Association’s (SFA) Summer Fancy Food Show took place in New York City last week. Some top specialty beverage categories in the US are tea, coffee, hot cocoa and plant-based milks, with overall specialty sales making up 16.1% of the...

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?

Beverage producers are working with international spices more because of their health benefits and function, rather than taste. Pic: Getty/oleksajewicz

Global flavor fusion dominates drink trends at IFT

By Beth Newhart

More consumers are prioritizing authentic, local food and drink when they travel, and are keen to experience global flavors at home as well. At IFT 2019, international fusion was on display with unique ingredient innovations.

The new essence range is considered an addition to hops, not a replacement to traditional dry hopping and hop pellets. Pic: Getty/5PH

Synergy’s water soluble hop essences tackle beer and soft drinks

By Beth Newhart

At IFT last week, Synergy Flavors debuted a new line of Synergy Pure Hop Essences as an alternative to traditional dry hopping. The water soluble ingredients are designed for beer, but can also be used with soft drinks like sparkling water, kombucha and...

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.

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...

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.

How to win in the UK's craft beer industry

Ten top tips for craft brewers

By Rachel Arthur

From embracing ecommerce to eying up gluten-free growth, the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) sets out 10 top tips for UK craft brewers.

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.

BrewDog acquires Berlin brewery and taproom from Stone Brewing

BrewDog acquires Berlin brewery and taproom from Stone Brewing

By Rachel Arthur

Scottish craft brewer BrewDog is acquiring Stone Brewing’s brewery and taproom in Berlin. It has also announced the latest round of Equity for Punks to fund its plans for a brewery in China and craft beer hotel in London.

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...

Magic Rock Brewing's core range

Lion acquires Magic Rock Brewing

By Rachel Arthur

Australian beer and beverage company Lion has acquired 100% of UK craft brewer Magic Rock Brewing Company, as it seeks to become 'a key player' in the UK craft market.

Mahou San Miguel opens first Brewhub in Spain. Photo: Mahou San Miguel.

Mahou San Miguel opens first Brewhub in Spain

By Jenny Eagle

Mahou San Miguel has opened the first Brewhub in Spain, a collaborative space for domestic and international craft breweries to share ideas and develop beers, for sale in Spain and across Europe.

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