Three Chord Bourbon announced the highly anticipated release of its 2024 Backstage Series with The Allman Brothers Band, a blend of straight bourbon whiskey finished with toasted peach wood.

When it comes to beverage manufacturing and packaging practices, OEMs are creating the machinery necessary to help beverage-makers conserve and reduce their energy output. For plastic bottle manufacturing, it’s not just the increasing adoption of rPET plastic bottles, but also reducing the amount of carbon dioxide that it takes to power these machines, experts note.

Beverage packaging and manufacturing operations have married speed and accuracy to inspect and protect today’s beverages through a variety of applications and environments.

Packaging machinery manufacturer Deitz Co. has produced a neck banding machine that automatically applies tamper-evident shrinkbands onto tiny bottles. 

Given the high interest in sustainability from consumers, today’s plastic bottle manufacturers are taking the steps to ensure their business aligns with what consumers are looking for.

As consumers are spending less on discretionary items and more on essentials, experts note that mass merchandisers are capitalizing on value, variety and services.

As we quickly approach another Fourth of July holiday, beer manufacturers are seeing increasing competition when it comes to consumers’ dollars. In a Q&A with Beverage Industry, Kristine Joji at Insite AI offers some insights with how brand owners can position themselves to stay competitive in today’s beverage alcohol market.

Circana, an advisor on the complexity of consumer behavior, released new Circana Compass insights, providing a comprehensive update on the 2024 performance of the global retail food and beverage (F&B) industry and an outlook for 2025.

As consumers today work to pay their bills and buy groceries, data shows that mass merchandisers are serving as a go-to channel to stretch their dollars. 

Whole Foods Market’s Trends Council unveiled their Top 10 anticipated food and beverage trends for 2025 in the retailer’s 10th annual Trends predictions report. 

Consumers are more knowledgeable nowadays; therefore, they hold their food and beverage choices to higher standards, experts note.

With more consumers seeking reduced-sugar or sugar-free drinks, experts note that beverage-makers are turning to sweeteners such as stevia, erythritol, monk fruit and allulose to deliver products without sacrificing on taste.

In today’s beverage development, formulators are layering flavors to elevate the next generation of drinks.

With growing awareness of the connections between individual health and that of nature or the environment, such interests are prompting more consumers to seek out clean label and non-GMO beverages.

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) returned to McCormick Place for the IFT FIRST: Annual Event & Expo where exhibitors were presented with an array of ingredient samples, interactive demos and product tastings.

Experts note that convenience, drinkability and protein content are key drivers of the performance beverage market.

As wellness trends have taken hold in the beverage space, experts highlight how natural and organic trends are impacting color choices used in the market.

Experts note that shifts in consumer behavior have caused beverage brands to find new ways to deliver on fortification and personalization.

With consumers’ wellness approach toward weight management, experts highlight how demand for nutritious drinks that support overall well-being is transforming the industry. 

Although on-the-go lifestyles are prompting interest in beverages with an energy and cognitive focus, experts highlight that purity and effectiveness are leading new product development.

Natural sweeteners are looking to deliver sweet solutions while accommodating consumer demands for less sugar content.

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) returned to McCormick Place for the IFT FIRST: Annual Event & Expo where exhibitors were presented an array of ingredient literature as well as prototypes featuring these solutions.

Today’s performance beverages have evolved beyond providing energy, but also are supporting broader health and wellness goals.

Through its new global brand platform and U.S. ad campaign, White Claw is inspiring even more people to seek out genuine, real-world connections — and “Grab Life By The Claw.” 

On the heels of Kathy Hilton’s musical debut in SMASH TEA PARTAY: A Smirnoff ICE Musical, the reality TV star and Smirnoff ICE are back to spill the tea on the brand’s latest flavor offerings of Smirnoff ICE SMASH Tea.

Malibu, a brand of Pernod Ricard, New York, unveiled its new summer campaign in partnership with TV personality Paige DeSorbo to bring the vacation anytime, anywhere. 

In conjunction with National Iced Tea Month, Bethesda, Md.-based JUST ICE Tea announced its summer campaign: Tea Marks the Spot. 

With all the current buzz around brand collaborations, experts highlight some of the opportunities, challenges, and factors to consider when embarking on a licensing partnership.

Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP), Burlington, Mass., and Frisco, Texas, has teamed up with Soccer United Marketing (SUM) to unveil a new multi-year partnership with the Federación Mexicana de Futbol (FMF), making Keurig Dr Pepper an official partner of the U.S. tours for the Mexican Men’s and Women’s National Teams.

Mango Shotta, a brand of Sazerac, Louisville, Ky., announced its latest initiative, inspired by Arturo, the brand’s eerie skeleton dog mascot. In the spirit of Halloween fun and commitment to shelter dogs, Mango Shotta unveiled its search for the “Scariest Spokesb*tch."

Jones Soda Co., Seattle, announced the launch of Mary Jones Hemp Delta-9 (HD-9) Shooters. The new product joins the brand's HD-9 craft sodas and gummies, featuring the same pure cane sugar formulation and classic taste of Jones Soda, adapted for HD-9.

MALK Organics announced the launch of its new Almond Pumpkin Spice, available throughout the fall season while supplies last.

Shifts of consumption preferences from consumers in terms of dairy and dairy alternatives beverages, impact performance of category.

In beverage warehouses, the rise of automation has prompted conveyor manufacturers to continue to make advancements to ensure that the speed and pace are in sync and processes are running efficiently.

High-brightness LED lights designer and manufacturer Smart Vision Lights recently revealed the RHI200-DO Lightgistics series light.

The demands of today’s global markets are rigorous.

The challenges of today’s labor market have made automated guided vehicles (AGVs) a growing solution for beverage warehouses.

When it comes to beverage operations, the incorporation of automation is laying the ground work to make a case for implementation of robotics.

Campbell’s V8 and Grillo's Pickles joined forces to create a fresh take on the classic Bloody Mary cocktail with the launch of V8 Grillo’s Dill Pickle Bloody Mary Mix.

Ingredient suppliers are making moves to aid today’s beverage-makers. Monin Americas released a Spicy Agave Sweetener, while Kyowa Hakko USA announced the launch of CENTR Enhanced sparkling water.  

Ingredient suppliers announce headquarter moves, while awareness of Uganda -sourced vanilla grows.

BENEO announces its new CEO while HOWTIAN introduces SoPure Andromeda.

Health considerations have impacted the beverage industry by way of fortified beverages. 

The National Beer Wholesalers Association’s Building Relationships and Empowering Women (BREW) initiative and the Alliance for Women in Beer co-hosted the largest Making Moves to-date, as more than 430 attendees joined the two-day event to gain valuable leadership skills and celebrate women’s important role in the beverage industry.

As the beer market expands and consumers have more options to choose from, experts highlight how craft beer brands are positioning themselves in a shifting market while catering their products to meet consumer demand.

Celebrate National American Beer Day on Sunday, Oct. 27. 

Seattle-based Starbucks announced that Brian Niccol has been appointed chairman and chief executive officer (CEO). Niccol will start in his new role Sept. 9.

In addition to the KIT KAT Flavored Creamer, Nestlé’s Coffee mate unveiled a slew of new Coffee mate products — from liquid creamer flavors to ready-to-drink (RTD) iced coffee.  

Curating a personalized experience is shaping the future for the coffee market as consumers embrace convenient formats, value-added ingredients.