FÏNLEY finds Sweden
Low calorie soft drink FÏNLEY has expanded into Sweden, having been sold in France and Belgium since 2014.
The drink (pictured in the main image for this article) was originally developed by Coca-Cola’s research and development centre in Brussels. It is aimed at adults, particularly those within the 25-49 year old age bracket, with fine bubbles and natural sweet and bitter flavours.
“The current soft drinks offer is fairly limited for a population whose taste is changing and becoming more mature,” says Coca-Cola Enterprises.
The brand has 20 calories per 100ml serving and comes in three flavours: Lemon & Elderberry, Grapefruit & Blood Orange, and Orange & Cranberry.
New cider in Ireland
Heineken Ireland has launched Orchard Thieves: a cider it says is specifically designed for Irish taste buds.
Created from crisp and tart apples, the beverage was taste-tested by 1,000 consumers in Ireland.
Heineken says its research revealed a preference for something that is ‘not too sweet, and not too dry.’
“We’re confident that Orchard Thieves will steal the hearts of those seeking a brand that stands for straight-up, instant refreshment with a contemporary and bold edge,” said Sharon Walsh, marketing director for Heineken Ireland.
From bottles to cans
UK company Thatchers has launched its Old Rascal cider in cans.
Originally packaged in a 550ml glass bottle, the beverage is now available in a 4 x 440ml pack of cans.
Old Rascal is a traditional-style cider, described as full-bodied and with a medium dry flavour.
A packaging revamp earlier this year introduced a blue and orange colour theme with the brand’s fox on the packaging.
And again, from Talking Rain
In the US Talking Rain Beverage Co is doing the same thing with its Sparkling ICE drink (a zero calorie beverage), putting it into 8oz slim cans.
The flavours available in cans are Orange Mango, Black Raspberry, Kiwi Strawberry and Cherry Limeade.
President and CEO Kevin Klock said the move responded to demand for smaller, convenient options.
Fridge packs will start rolling out to Walmart, Kroger and Target among others this month.
Smooth moves from Lifeway
Lifeway Foods, a US fermented beverage company, has launched its Protein Kefir drink.
The range of cultured milk smoothies - available in banana, vanilla and mixed berry flavours – have 12 live and active probiotic cultures in each 8 oz serving.
The smoothies also contain 20g protein per serving (a 16oz bottle contains 16oz).
The dark side of cognac
The House of Camus has launched Dark & Intense, a new version of its long-established Extra Elegance cognac.
Extra Elegance was launched 15 years ago, and now Dark & Intense has been created to offer connoisseurs a ‘rich and powerful aromatic experience.’
Each cask of Dark & Intense is marked with a special golden bung – representing the flames from toasting in the production process.
Tasting notes from the French company describes the cognac as “intense and seductive with creamy, buttery notes, robust and lingering finish characterized by subtly spicy dark chocolate notes.”
Swedish success in the UK
Kopparberg will launch popular Swedish speciality beer Höga Kusten in the UK this month.
The name (which translates as ‘high coast’) refers to the UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Gulf of Bothnia, a northern part of the Baltic Sea which borders Sweden and Finland.
Höga Kusten follows the launch of fellow Swedish beer brand Fagerhult (also from Kopparberg) in the UK earlier this year.