Beyond Beer

Boston-based Downeast Cider is following the more-is-more philosophy when it comes to innovation in 2024. The cidermaker’s big bet for this year is the Overboard family, an 8% ABV line of unfiltered ciders.

The population of Flavortown just increased by three. Stratford, Connecticut-based Two Roads Brewing has added three new iterations of the Flavortown Spiked flavored malt beverage (FMB) line it brews in collaboration with celebrity chef Guy Fieri.

California canned cocktail and hard kombucha maker JuneShine has received a seven-figure investment from private equity firm InvestBev.

For decades, the Japanese distilled beverage shochu has been mislabeled in the U.S. as Korean soju, but a new law is clearing up the difference for consumers— and clearing a path for category growth.

Dedicated non-alcoholic (NA) beer maker Athletic Brewing is taking a page out of 2010s craft beer check-in culture and run-tracking with its new app feature. Athletic launched “Track Record” earlier this month in order to give its app users a way of recording their alcohol-free days and creating streaks.

More than 1,100 people gathered in Portland, Oregon, this week for the 14th annual CiderCon, hosted by the American Cider Association (ACA).

U.S. craft spirits topped $7.9 billion in sales in 2022, growing 5.3% in value and 6.1% in volume, but slowed considerably from the year prior, according to a new report.

With its business expanding amid a rising U.S. energy drink category, Monster Beverage Corporation projected confidence in its widening product portfolio during its annual investor meeting presentation yesterday.

After nearly nine months of an ugly public legal battle, Sean “Diddy” Combs and Diageo have settled disputes over allegations from the music mogul that the brands he collaborated with Diageo on— Cîroc Vodka and DeLeon Tequila— received worse treatment because of his race.

We checked in with a data analyst, consultant and major retailer buyer on the drivers they are watching in 2024, including what investors will be looking for, where there might be white space in hot categories, and how retailers are making buying decisions.

From the continued rise of the espresso martini to savory cocktails, 2023 was a year of bold flavors at the bar, so what’s in store for 2024? We polled experts in spirits, flavor innovation and mocktails about what trends are on tap for cocktails and ready-to-drink versions.

Flavor continues to be a priority for consumers and a driving force for innovation. But where does that innovation inspiration come from? Molson Coors director of marketing innovation Amanda DeVore, Liquid Death SVP of marketing Dan Murphy, WeldWerks head brewer Skip Schwartz and Hella Cocktail Co. co-founder and CEO Eddie Simeón discuss where they discover the next flavor trends, and how the best inspo is often in places outside of bev-alc.

BuzzBallz founder Merrilee Kick, BeatBox Beverages co-founder Aimy Steadman and Stateside Vodka CEO Clement Pappas explore 4th category trends and opportunities, their growth philosophies and insights into their strategies. All panelists helm ready-to-drink brands with explosive growth.

After a category-wide downturn this year, one global spirits company is championing its portfolio of ready-to-drink cocktails as the silver lining of 2023.