Hard Tea’s $2.1 Billion Market Is Highly Concentrated
Just ten vendors account for about 97% of hard tea ready-to-drink (RTD) dollars, according to a new analysis from Bump Williams Consulting (BWC).
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Featured RTD Content
Molson Coors to Acquire Monaco Maker Atomic Brands
Molson Coors has struck a deal to acquire spirits-based, ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail pioneer Atomic Brands, whose Monaco Cocktails entered the then-nascent space in 2012. The deal should come as no surprise, as it aligns with Molson Coors’ goals to expand its beyond beer portfolio, part of the Horizon 2030 plan CEO Rahul Goyal outlined earlier this year.
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
Mark Anthony’s Strategy for Gaining Ground in Hard Sports Drinks
Mark Anthony Brands conquered hard seltzer with White Claw. Can the company pull off a repeat in the fast-growing hard sports drink (vodka + ade) market?
RTD Cocktails: New Releases From Via Carota, On The Rocks, Big Sipz and More
Fall’s ready-to-drink (RTD) releases push ABV higher and lean into the season. Cocktails from Absolut and Carbliss amp up the buzz, while pumpkin spiced drinks, chocolate martinis and Cosmo riffs land ahead of the holidays.
Get Lytt, Rally & Sin: Jim Koch Shares Expectations for Boston Beer’s Innovation Lineup
Three of Boston Beer Company’s 2026 test products are getting a full backing of support in 2027, as the company attempts to use its industry relationships and large sales teams to strongarm Boston Beer into today’s hottest bev-alc segments.
Occasions, Experiences and Keeping AI Out of Creative – Constellation Brands, Good Boy and Owl’s Brew Leaders Talk Marketing Shop
In an ever-connected world, reaching consumers is easier than ever before, but the difficulty of meaningfully connecting with them has grown exponentially.
UK Ruling Flags BeatBox Packaging as RTD Players Test Nostalgia Marketing Limits
Anheuser-Busch InBev’s (A-B) BeatBox has been forced to modify its packaging after a UK alcohol industry watchdog upheld a public complaint that the drinks could appeal to underage drinkers.
Vodka + Ade Segment Could Reach $500M in 2027, per Circana
Vodka + ade, hard sports drinks – whatever you call it, expect the segment to reach up to half a billion dollars in sales in 2027, according to Circana EVP of BevAl Scott Scanlon.
Bitter Flavors, Ingredient Minimalism & the Yōshoku Effect: Whole Foods Shares 2027 Trend Predictions
Whole Foods Market is back with its annual look at expected trends for the year ahead, and while the grocer focuses mainly on food, there are some signals of where beverage could be heading next.
Azúcar Tequila Taps Cavinder Twins for RTD Margarita Launch
Influencers and former collegiate basketball players Haley and Hanna Cavinder are aiming to throw Azúcar Tequila an alley-oop as the creative directors of its new ready-to-drink (RTD) margaritas, the company announced Thursday.
Pernod Ricard US Sales Fall 10% as Small Formats Gain Focus
Pernod Ricard closed its first quarter of fiscal 2027 with sales down 10% in the U.S., where it blamed consumers’ affordability concerns for the drop. The French spirits giant used its earnings call today to share a read on the U.S. market and reiterate that it continues to seek growth in smaller, affordable formats.
Why Stadium Partnerships can be the ‘Ultimate Sampling Weapon’ with Two Robbers’ Vivek and Vikram Nayar
Two Robbers Spirits Co.’s partnership with the Philadelphia Eagles is helping the 7-year-old company fly. On the latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast, Two Robbers founders Vivek and Vikram Nayar share how partnerships with Philadelphia pro sports teams have helped raise their local profile and increase rate of sale in off-premise retailers.
Press Clips: SpikedAde Founder’s Exit, a Virginia Craft Deal and Athletic’s Latest Sports Partnership
Check out news items initially reported in the Brewbound Insider Newsletter October 8-9, including headlines from SpikedAde, Hardywood Park, Starr Hill and Athletic.
SpikedAde Will Be a Case Study In Constellation’s Brand Building & Acquisition Capabilities, CEO Nicholas Fink Says
Constellation Brands is charging into the back half of its 2027 fiscal year (FY27) with renewed positivity, as well as a new surging brand in its portfolio.
NKD Distillery Turns To Kanna For NAKIES’ Functional Edge
With functional beverages driving purchases in the adult non-alcoholic (ANA) alternatives set, NKD Distillery is heeding the call with its first ready-to-drink (RTD) line infused with kanna.
Constellation Brands Acquires SpikedAde in $75M Deal, with $278M Performance-Based Contingent
Constellation Brands has acquired SpikedAde, the second-largest ready-to-drink (RTD) vodka + ade/hard sports drink brand, the company announced in its Q2 earnings report.