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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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.
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Wisconsin’s Eagle Park Acquires SoulBoxer Cocktail Co. to Accelerate RTD, Hemp Ambitions
Wisconsin’s Eagle Park Brewing & Distilling has acquired SoulBoxer Cocktail Co., setting the stage for Eagle Park’s further expansion into canned cocktails spanning alcoholic, non-alcoholic and THC-infused formats.
New Diageo CEO Dave Lewis Sets His Sights On RTDs
Diageo’s new CEO Dave Lewis is reframing ready-to-drink offerings as an opportunity for the spirits giant, but after years of focus on the top end of the shelf, the group has ground to make up.
Press Clips: Stone Steps Up to the Plate at Petco Park; Plus, Monaco’s Value Positioning; JP Morgan’s Beverage Team on State of M&A
In time for Opening Day and to mark the brewery’s 30th anniversary, Stone Brewing (Escondido, California) has unveiled a new branded bar next to Section 309 at Petco Park, home of MLB’s San Diego Padres.
Blake’s Beverage Finds Synergy Among House of Brands, ‘Actively Looking’ for Strategic M&A
More than two years after Blake’s Hard Cider, Austin Eastciders and Avid Cider Co. merged under the Blake’s Beverage Co. banner, the companies have found a rhythm that helped make Blake’s the “fastest growing” independent cidery in the U.S.
Carbliss Targets C-Store with New Malt Tallboy Format
Carbliss, the ready-to-drink (RTD) vodka-based cocktail that has become one of the breakout independents in its category, is rolling out a malt-based tallboy across seven Midwestern states.
Blueprint for Scale: How Mission Craft Cocktails Went From 2K to 80K Cases
The founders of Mission Craft Cocktails, the Southern California brand built on bar-strength bottled cocktails made with premium ingredients, see their company as a David in a segment of Goliaths. In their sling: a bet on economies of scale, format innovation and a purpose-driven brand.
Margarita RTDs Outpacing Hard Tea
The ready-to-drink (RTD) margarita is outpacing some of the industry’s hottest new RTD segments, with high ABV and spirit-based versions picking up steam, according to a new report from Bump Williams.
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).
JuneShine Brands to Outsource All Production, Shut Down Own Facility; 30 Employees Affected
JuneShine Brands is shifting production of all its brands to third-party producers, the San Diego-based company announced today.
A-B Closes $490 Million Deal for 85% Stake in BeatBox
Anheuser-Busch InBev (A-B) has closed its previously announced acquisition of BeatBox Beverages, the companies shared today.
Surfside Adds Blueberry Lemonade, Half & Half Variety Pack
Surfside, the spirits-based iced tea category leader, is launching four new flavors as the brand continues its rise from a Northeast favorite to national ready-to-drink (RTD) powerhouse.
The Modern Hotel Beverage Program: Lobby Bars, NA Cocktails and Less Draft
Adult non-alc (ANA) cocktails are gaining momentum in luxury hotels, with one major chain reporting a 32% sales increase over the past three years. But functional ingredients and education still create challenges.
Stateside Looks Beyond Surfside with 10% ABV Vodka Sodas and Super Lyte Vodka + Ade
On any given week, Stateside’s vodka-based, ready-to-drink (RTD) hard tea brand Surfside records $2 million in sales or more and triple-digit year-over-year (YoY) growth in Circana-tracked off-premise channels. Those sales represent only 20% of the RTD’s total depletions.
Amidst RTD Competition, Patco Brands Leans on Big Sipz and Private Label
Patco Brands launched over a decade ago with a small margarita business and a family-run operation. Since then, the company has quietly evolved into one of the largest producers in the agave wine and ready-to-drink (RTD) space, operating at a scale that rivals far larger beverage groups while maintaining the agility of an independent.