Black Momma Beverage Industry

Readers name their favorite new beverage of May

As the summer solstice officially came and went, consumers continue to thirst for refreshing beverages. In the Readers’ Choice: New Product poll for May, Beverage Industry readers’ selected Raspberry Rose and Strawberry Ginger VOSS Flavored Sparkling Water.

Stella Artois debuts new red party cup to upgrade summer celebrations

Stella Artois, a brand of Anheuser-Busch InBev, Leuven, Belgium, announced it is dethroning the OG red party cup and making summer parties a little more stylish by introducing the Red Stella Cup, it says.

Coca-Cola NA launches digital marketplace for foodservice

Coca-Cola North America, a division of Atlanta-based The Coca-Cola Co., is launching a digital marketplace this fall that connects its foodservice customers to pre-vetted, industry-best restaurant technologies with competitive pricing, it says. The marketplace of solutions for front of house, back of house and outside of house is powered by Omnivore, a universal point-of-sale connectivity platform that offers seamless integration into restaurants' point-of-sale (POS) systems.

Dos Equis furthers partnership with College Football Playoffs

Dos Equis, a brand of White Plains, N.Y.-based Heineken USA, returns this college football season to up the ante as the Official Beer Sponsor of the College Football Playoff.

Jade Leaf Matcha launches Matcha Latte Infusions

Seattle-based Jade Leaf Matcha expanded its portfolio with its newest product line: Matcha Latte Infusions. Available in four varieties — Glow, Protect, Think and Balance — each infusion blends functional ingredients and adaptogens into CCOF-certified organic Japanese matcha.

King’s Row Coffee introduces nitro cold-brew coffee line

Hanover, N.H.-based King's Row Coffee launched King's Brew, a line of nitro cold-brew coffee is five varieties: Original Black, Maple Water, Bourbon & Butter, Decaf Cappuccino and Mushroom Mocha.

AB InBev rolls out PureDraught System

Leuven, Belgium-based AB InBev, through its Global Innovation and Technology Center (GITEC), is introducing PureDraught, a one-way, polymer keg system that keeps beer fresher up to four times longer than a traditional steel keg and reduces the carbon footprint of shipping beer — all while offering more versatility and variety for bar and restaurant owners, it says.

O.Vine Wine Essence Water officially launches

Rosh Pina, Israel-based Wine Water Ltd., parent company of O.Vine Inc., is launching Chardonnay- and Cabernet Sauvignon-essence waters. 

Top 100 Beverage Companies of 2018

The companies on Beverage Industry’s Top 100 Beverage Companies of 2018 all are dedicated to giving consumers the best experience possible, whether it be through new product development or eye-catching packaging. The editor’s invite you to take a closer look at the top global beverage brands, top cap ex spenders, top social media brands and much more.

RESPAWN drink mix designed for gamers, by gamers

Available online, RESPAWN is a new mental performance drink mix designed for gamers, by gamers.

Brown-Forman adds Fords Gin

Brown-Forman Corp., Louisville, Ky., has reached a definitive agreement to purchase The 86 Company. Upon completion, Brown-Forman will add Fords Gin, a premium gin to its growing portfolio.

Rosé wine more than just a day

On June 8, social media was inundated with hashtag #roséallday social media posts with the celebration of National Rosé Day. The popularity of Rosé, however, is not contained to just one day — more like all year, experts say. According to data from Chicago-based SPINS, wine sales (non-liquor store) are up 2.3 percent year-over-year with Rosé leading the category's growth, up 13.3 percent to reach a $704.9 million annual market.

WTRMLN WTR introduces new line of sports drinks

WTRMLN WTR, a brand of Denver-based World Waters LLC, announced the global launch of WTRMLN SportWTR, an electrolyte-filled, healthy-hydrating and performance-enhancing beverage, the company says.

Keurig Dr Pepper launches corporate responsibility program

Less than a year since its merger, Burlington, Mass. and Plano, Texas-based Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) announced a unified corporate responsibility (CR) program designed to deliver positive impacts, the company says. The new program – Drink Well. Do Good. –  was developed following extensive analysis across the company’s expansive hot and cold beverage operations and is focused on four areas: environment, supply chain, health and wellbeing, and communities, according to the company.

 

TINCUP America Whiskey launches Backcountry Adventure campaign

Denver-based TINCUP America Whiskey is inspiring people to seek out extraordinary experiences in the great outdoors through the launch of the Backcountry Adventure campaign. 

Ménage à Trois releases Bourbon Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon

Ménage à Trois, a wine brand that is wholly owned and operated by Napa Valley, Calif.-based Trinchero Family Estates, announced the limited release of Bourbon Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon.

Pep Talk sparkling water brand expands distribution

Pep Talk, a brand of Minneapolis-based Make it Simple, continues to expand its retail footprint throughout the United States.

IRI, Label Insight join forces to identify consumer trends

Chicago-based Information Resources Inc. (IRI) and Label Insight announced that they are joining forces to provide consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers and retailers more detailed insight into product performance based on nutrition and ingredient label data. 

Nielsen releases food, beverage trends for Memorial Day weekend

This Memorial Day past weekend, consumers kicked off the unofficial start of summer with a more diverse selection of food and beverage options. Although beer and hot dogs remain staple menu options for the summer, emerging options likely are to join them on the menu, according to New York-based Nielsen’s recent Insights titled “This Memorial Day, American Will Substitute Summer CPG Staples for Alternatives.”

Brancott Estate releases artist-designed labels

New Zealand wine brand Brancott Estate, Marlborough, New Zealand, has partnered with emerging UK designer Benjamin Craven to design four limited-edition labels for its Brancott Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2018.

GT’s Living Foods launches adaptogenic teas

GT's Living Foods, Los Angeles, launched ALIVE, a line of adaptogenic teas inspired by Ayurvedic medicine. An infusion of three adaptogenic mushrooms, reishi, chaga and Turkey tail, is combined with select varieties of teas and a touch of raw apple cider vinegar. The result is a light, refreshing beverage that helps support the body's ability to fight stress and balance natural energy, the company says.

Cannabis-infusions open new opportunities for beverage-makers
Whether it is tobacco, packaged foods, consumer health, beverages, or beauty and personal care, many market analysts recognize that cannabis is poised to disrupt these consumer markets as the flowering plant makes inroads in legalization and mainstream acceptance.

Readers name their favorite beverage of April

As consumers avidly are awaiting the summer season, their thirst for premium bottled water remains high. In the Readers’ Choice: New Product poll for April, Beverage Industry readers’ selected Poland Spring ORIGIN bottled water as their favorite new product release.

Spindrift, Kristen Bell return with new summer campaign

Newton, Mass.-based Spindrift Sparkling Water and brand ambassador and actress Kristen Bell launched a new summer campaign to accelerate the brand’s awareness and further distinguish itself from competition as the first sparkling water made with real-squeezed fruit, the company says.

Maxwell House, USO partner to support service members

Maxwell House, a brand of Pittsburgh- and Chicago-based Kraft Heinz Co., joined forces with the USO to help keep America’s service members connected to their family, home and country.

PepsiCo Foodservice launches Digital Lab

PepsiCo Inc., Purchase, N.Y., announced the launch of PepsiCo Foodservice Digital Lab, a first-of-its-kind suite of capabilities built to connect foodservice operators with the companies, services, insights, and solutions best-suited for their specific digital and online needs. Digital Label is powered by extensive proprietary and syndicated research into restaurant and food ordering interactions as part of the consumer digital journey, the company says.

Post Meridiem disrupts RTD cocktail market

Atlanta-based Post Meridiem aims to disrupt the ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail market with a bar-quality experience.

JUSTIN Vineyards releases 30th anniversary Cabernet Sauvignon

JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery, Paso Robles, Calif., commemorates the 30th anniversary of JUSTIN Cabernet Sauvignon with the nationwide release of its new 2017 vintage. The vintage wine showcases the distinct character of Paso Robles and is sealed with a "30th year" anniversary capsule in celebration of the release, the company says.

Braxton Brewing opens new brewery, taproom

Covington, Ky.-based Braxton Brewing Co. announced plans to expand its presence to Fort Mitchell, Ky., with the opening of a new barrel-aging brewery and taproom. Expected to open this fall, the Braxton Barrel House will offer a unique experience for patrons by giving them the opportunity to create custom private-barrel picks of the company’s barrel-aged brews, it says.

Boston Beer, Dogfish Head Brewery merge

Boston-based The Boston Beer Co. Inc. and Dogfish Head Brewery announced that the companies have signed a definitive merger agreement, bringing together two pioneering independent craft breweries.