Q1 2025 Beer, Spirits & NA Beverage Performance & Trends – 3Tier Beverages via NIQ
In this exclusive quarterly deep dive curated for Brewbound Insiders, 3Tier Beverages breaks down the latest trends shaking up the beverage industry.
NIQ
Featured NIQ Content
On-Premise Update & Outlook – CGA by NIQ March 2025
The On Premise universe grew in December, particularly driven by openings of Casual dining outlets, which were the most common venue type.
Bump Williams Consulting: FMB, Spirits-Based RTD Volume Gains Slowing; Imports Remain ‘Beacon of Consistent Volume’ Growth
The once-booming flavored malt beverage (FMB) segment is “showing some concerning declarations over recent weeks,” Bump Williams Consulting (BWC) founder Bump Williams noted in a recent report. FMB volume gains dropped by half – from +2.2%, to +1.1% – from the four-week period to the one-week period ending May 18, according to NIQ retail measurement data cited by BWC.
Additional Content
NIQ Weekly Scans: RTDs Remain Only Major Category to Record YoY Growth Thru February
One consistent trend through the first two months of 2026 has been the strength of ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDs).
NIQ: Adult Non-Alc Needs to ‘Move Beyond Flavor Extensions’
Non-alcoholic (NA) wine, beer and spirits still account for less than 1% of total alcohol category sales – leaving a runway for brands that innovate with popular functional ingredients, according to a new report from market research firm NIQ.
Sun Cruiser, Cutwater Power RTDs In Latest NIQ Scans
Spirits-based ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDs) posted another blowout two-week period, up more than 30% in dollar sales, as brands such as Cutwater and Sun Cruiser continued to pull consumers away from former leaders, according to an analysis of NIQ data from Goldman Sachs Equity Research.
NIQ On-Premise Report: Valentine’s Day Velocity +24% YoY, Driven by Traffic
More people went out to bars and restaurants to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year compared to 2025, according to the last on-premise report from market research firm NIQ, citing “CGA intelligence” data.
NIQ Weekly Scans: Prepared Cocktails Leading Growth Thru Mid-February; Cider Tops Beer Charts
Any remaining concerns about the seasonality of ready-to-drink cocktails (RTD) may be eased by the latest weekly off-premise scan report from NIQ.
NIQ: Spirits, RTDs Gain in C-Stores as Beer Sales Slide 3%
The convenience channel is shrinking – but not for spirit and wine-based ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, according to a new report from market research firm NIQ.
NIQ On-Premise Report: Dry January Commitment, 2026 Social Plans & World Cup Preview
The majority of consumers who went into 2026 with plans to participate in Dry January stayed committed to abstaining from alcohol through the end of the month, according to survey results from market research firm NIQ.
NIQ Monthly Scans: Cider Led January Growth; Imports on Positive Trajectory
Bev-alc sales remained slightly positive through the end of January in NIQ-tracked off-premise channels (xAOC + convenience + liquor open state), the market research firm reported this week.
NIQ On-Premise Report: Spirits Closest to Pre-Pandemic Volume Levels; Beer Leading Price Hikes
Nearly six years after the COVID-19 pandemic shut down on-premise businesses and ignited a drastic shift in consumer purchasing behavior, bars and restaurants still have not returned to pre-pandemic levels of bev-alc volume sales, according to a new report from market research firm NIQ.
NIQ: 74% of Adult NA Beverage Consumers Are New Buyers; Room for Longtail Brands to Make Impact
The majority of adult non-alcoholic (ANA) beverage buyers are new consumers to the category, suggesting opportunities for suppliers looking to have a greater impact on the category, according to new data from market research firm NIQ.
NIQ 2025 Year in Review: Total Bev-Alc Off-Prem Dollars -3.4%, to $110 Billion; RTDs Led Innovation Sales
Beverage-alcohol had a nearly universally down year in 2025. The few exceptions were adult non-alcoholic (ANA) and ready-to-drink (RTD) bev-alc, which further solidified their staying power beyond quick consumer trends, according to NIQ’s 2025 Year in Review report.
CGA: December 2025 Holidays Improve On-Premise Trends vs. 2024
Bars and restaurants saw a boost in sales this holiday season compared to 2024, according to the latest report from CGA, the on-premise arm of market research firm NIQ.
NIQ: Michelob, Pacifico and Victoria Lead December Beer Brand Growth
Import beer’s unstable 2025 came to a positive end for some top brands this December, according to the latest report from market research firm NIQ.
Press Clips: Uncle Nearest Founders Sue Former CFO; A-B Adds Michelob Ultra Zero Lime
Here are some news items that were initially reported in the Brewbound Insider Newsletter January 5-6, including updates from Uncle Nearest, NIQ, Blake’s Beverage and more.