NIQ: THC Beverages Hit $239M in Mainstream Retail as Half of Adults Interested in Trying
THC beverages reached $239 million in the 52 weeks ending April 4 2026, up 135% versus the prior year, and despite a looming ban, there’s thirst for more.
Beyond Beer
Read the latest beyond beer news relating to companies involved with RTD cocktails, hard cider, hard seltzer, hard kombucha, spirits, cannabis, and non-alcoholic products. Take a comprehensive look at developments in these evolving sectors, offering valuable insights into the innovations, trends, and market forces shaping the world of beer and beyond.
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Jim Koch: Boston Beer ‘Over the Hump’ and Important to Distributors & Retailers; Sun Cruiser Gains; No Twisted Tea Reset
Boston Beer Company has “gotten over the hump as a supplier” and become an “important” part of its wholesalers’ and retailers’ businesses, founder, chairman and CEO Jim Koch told analysts during the company’s Q1 2026 earnings report Thursday evening.
Stateside’s Super Lyte Depletes 120K Cases in 5 Weeks, Targets 1.5M This Year
Super Lyte, a vodka-infused, sports-drink inspired refresher, from the makers of Surfside, has depleted 120,000 cases in its first five weeks in the market, with a forecast to hit 1.5 million cases this year.
Additional Content
Analysis: Alani Nu & Celsius Deal Sparks Distro Realignment, Possible KDP Rethink?
The first two months of the year have seen a flurry of transactions for brands like Spindrift, RISE Brewing Co. and Aura Bora, but the year’s first big M&A blockbuster arrived late yesterday. As we take in our first impressions of the deal, here are the threads we’re following.
A Round With … Todd Bellomy of Farthest Star Sake
For the past three years, Farthest Star Sake has been taking curious drinkers on flavor expeditions as the only sake brewery and taproom in New England. Founder and head brewer Todd Bellomy shares his journey and his thoughts on the segment in this edition of A Round With – a Brewbound Insider-exclusive Q&A with bev-alc leaders.
Constellation Brands Takes Minority Stake in Hiyo Non-Alc Functional RTD Brand
Continuing to bolster its adult non-alc (NA) portfolio, Constellation Brands has acquired a minority stake in Hiyo, a functional ready-to-drink tonic, the company announced today.
America Cider Association Elects 2 New Members to Board of Directors
Two new members have been elected to the American Cider Associations (ACA) board of directors, the hard cider industry trade group announced last week.
Bourbon Glut? Bardstown Explores RTDs for Relief
Ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails may be one way through the bourbon glut, according to Bardstown Bourbon president Pete Marino.
Hard Cider in a Chapter Primed for Growth, But Needs to ‘Claim the Throne’
The 15th annual CiderCon took place in Chicago earlier this month, drawing about 850 attendees and cider industry members to the Windy City for the American Cider Association’s (ACA) annual industry conference and trade show.
Non-Alcoholic Beer Grabs 4.2% Share of Beer Grocery Sales in January; Sales +23.5%, Volume +20%
Non-alcoholic (NA) beer claimed a record 4.2% share of beer category grocery sales during Dry January, according to an analysis by Bump Williams Consulting chief strategy officer Dan Wandel. NA beer recorded double-digit year-over-year (YoY) increases in dollar sales (+23.5%) and volume (+20.2%) in U.S. food stores tracked by market research firm NIQ for the four-week period ending February 1.
BeerBoard: Draft Volume Declined -4.6% During Super Bowl LIX
Just like the Kansas City Chiefs, draft beer also took an L in Super Bowl LIX. Draft beer volume declined -4.6% nationwide on Super Bowl Sunday, according to on-premise insights firm BeerBoard.
Hailee Steinfeld Unveils RTD Cocktail Brand Angel Margarita
Actress and singer Hailee Steinfeld is the latest celebrity seeking to make a splash in the crowded ready-to-drink cocktail space, announcing today the launch of Angel Margarita in partnership with Jordi Zindel and Rodrigo Hernandez of Premium Beers Group.
DISCUS: 2024 Spirit Sales Flat; RTDs and Tequila At Vodka’s Heels
The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) in its annual economic briefing on Tuesday warned that the declining U.S. spirits market will likely continue to face challenges for the foreseeable future.
Athletic Brewing to Be Available in More than 100 Live Nation Venues & 4 Festivals
Non-alcoholic beer maker Athletic Brewing Company has struck a multi-year sponsorship deal with Live Nation to make its beer available in 117 concert venues and at four major music festivals.
Pernod Ricard Blames Geopolitical Uncertainty For Gloomy Outlook
Another major spirits group has blamed geopolitical instability for cutting its sales outlook.
Absolut Extends RTDs, Ready-to-Serves with February Flavor Launches
Absolut is expanding both its ready-to-drink (RTD) and ready-to-serve (RTS) cocktail lines, announcing several new flavor additions, including an expansion of its co-branded partnership with cranberry giant Ocean Spray.
CGA: How Committed Were Consumers to Dry January? Plus, a Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day Preview
While consumers were optimistic about their Dry January plans in December, those plans quickly changed for some, according to the latest report from CGA, the on-premise arm of market research firm NIQ.