Blake’s Beverage Co. is looking to be a leader in not just hard cider, but all “fruit-forward fourth category innovation,” founder and CEO Andrew Blake told Brewbound.
In Japan, some of the country’s oldest sake brewers are eagerly awaiting a decision next month on their bid for the rice wine to win recognition as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, a commendation reflecting the depth to which the beverage is tied to national pride and tradition. Other ambitious brewers, meanwhile, are just as eager to buck tradition altogether.
Spirits giant Sazerac manages approximately 500 brands across beer, wine and spirits, yet president and CEO Jake Wenz insists the company is still “focused.”
After 18 months of learning about the U.S. bev-alc market, California-based hard kombucha brand Mate Maker is ready to expand its portfolio and its distribution, and wants consumers to come along for the ride.
Ready-to-drink (RTD) mimosa and sangria producer Ohza has been acquired by FX Matt, the companies announced today. The acquisition brings a wine-based offering to FX Matt’s growing stable of RTD and beyond beer brands, which includes McKenzie’s Hard Cider, ‘Merican Mule spirits-based RTDs and Right Coast Spirits vodka- and tequila-based RTDs.
Across oversaturated retail shelves, bev-alc brands are under pressure to stand out.
In premium spirits and canned cocktails, brands have learned that calling out unique ingredients and connecting to audiences through their own cultural stories is key to positioning. They’re also balancing bolder looks with conveying brand values, health benefits and taste without over-messaging. Many have gone back to the drawing board, honing their brand prepositions and packaging.
Sazerac-owned BuzzBallz has selected the Reyes Beverage Group as its distributor in California, Illinois, Indiana and South Carolina, the multistate wholesaler announced today.
Stevenson announced the news Friday on LinkedIn, posting a photo of herself with JuneShine co-founders Greg Serraro and Forrest Dein, and writing: “Could not be more excited to join Greg, Forrest and the JuneShine Team! So many exciting things to come!”
Hard seltzers remain down double-digits through mid-July in Circana-tracked off-premise retailers. Hard seltzer declined -11.8% in dollars and -16.1% in volume through the rolling 52-week period ending July 14.
There were many ways entertainment venues aimed to keep the lights on during the pandemic— for a Hamptons bar that regularly hosted musical acts, creating a ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail was one solution.
The latest installment of Brewbound’s A Round With – a weekly Insider-exclusive Q&A series with industry leaders – features Chandra Richter, head of product development at Sprinter, the Kylie Jenner-backed line of ready-to-drink (RTD) vodka sodas.
Mocktail Club, maker of a line of non-alcoholic canned cocktails, announced Monday it has received an investment from spirits industry capital and brand building firm Pronghorn, aimed at helping the Arlington, Va.-based business expand across the country.
Jay-Z’s Marcy Venture Partners is the latest group to invest in ready-to-drink brand The Finnish Long Drink, the company announced today.
Hella Cocktail Co., known for its bitters and mixers, is making a foray into bev-alc with a ready-to-drink (RTD) line debuting this week, Hella Margaritas.
If Tip Top Proper Cocktails had the resources, it would’ve released 11 new styles of canned cocktails this year. While they settled for about half that amount, the team still argues that constant innovation is what makes their brand the most in touch with cocktail culture—and helps a small company like theirs carve out a distinct position in a saturated category.
