New launches: May 2017
What’s hitting the shelves? New product launches: May
Functional chia drinks
Chias Brothers Europe, one of the first European producers of chia seeds beverages and the first on the Polish market, has launched a Chias Functional drinks line with two products: Harmony and Energy.
Chia Energy is described as a healthy alternative to energy drinks, with one bottle providing the same energy as one cup of coffee without additives, artificial sweeteners or preservatives. The drink contains guarana and caffeine, while chia seeds also provide a source of protein and omega-3 acids.
Meanwhile, Chias Brothers Europe has created a ‘calming’ drink. “Stress is one of the most common diseases of the 21st century and affects us all,” said marketing director Joanna Kaczmarek.
“In response, we created a calming drink with melissa and chamomile and we try to spread positive messages - stop, clear your mind, relax your body and be ready to face every challenge with positive attitude.”
Chias Functional is packaged in 200ml glass bottles. The brand has secured listings with major retailers on Polish market, such as Piotr i Pawel, Selgros, Rossmann and the biggest convenience store chains as Zabka and Malpka.
‘Bath water’
Two entrepreneurs from Bath, UK, have teamed up with a Bath-based film producer to launch ‘Bath Water’: a natural spring water drawn from organic land on the nearby Mendip Hills, where Bath’s famous thermal waters originate.
Mark and Rachel Allen, along with film producer Jonathan Willis, say that Bath Water will help satisfy the ever increasing demand for healthy, local, natural products.
“Bath’s hot springs were discovered by King Bladud in 863BC and subsequently enjoyed by the Romans, Georgians and are still appreciated world-wide today for their restorative properties,” explains Rachel Allen.
“The fresh, natural ‘Bath Water’ has been filtered through ancient limestone vales and bottled at source from an ancient spring to rejuvenate the people of Bath and beyond.
“Our beautiful UNESCO World Heritage city is internationally renowned for its water, so it’s totally mad that other parts of the UK draw their own dedicated spring waters, while Bath, one of the UK’s most renowned spa cities, has no natural Bath spring water.
"It’s this gap in the market for a local, fresh and healthy water from Bath that we’re seeking to satisfy.”
Bath Water is available in 330ml and 750ml glass bottles in both still and sparking varieties, as well as in 500ml plastic bottles. It is served in hotels, bars and restaurants.
Absolut Canada
Absolut Vodka has launched a limited edition bottle to mark Canada 150 (Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation).
The Absolut Canada bottle was designed in collaboration with Canadian textile artist Elizabeth (Libs) Elliott, who is known for her work with a custom computer program to design quilt patterns and laser cutting tools to create futuristic home textiles.
To convey a message of Canada's history and future, the bottle artwork uses a traditional quilt block 'Maple Leaf' design and a modernized Canadian color palette: “geometric shapes represent Canada's diversity, and a grid reflects our expansive geography.”
The bottle, containing the premium Absolut Vodka, is available across Canada as of this month.
Monster Hydro
Coca-Cola European Partners is launching Monster Hydro in the UK this summer: ‘adding a new generation of refreshment energy to the soft drinks category’.
The non-carbonated energy drink will be available in three flavors: Tropical Thunder, Mean Green and Manic Melon.
HYDRO will be available as a 550ml resealable wide mouth bottle. The launch will be supported by nationwide sampling and digital campaigns to target a core audience of predominantly 25-45 year old males.
“The non-carbonation of Monster HYDRO makes it an ideal energy drink to help retailers take advantage of the with-food opportunity, as it is refreshing and easy to drink but doesn’t compromise on the full energy hit that consumers demand,” said Simon Harrison, operational marketing director, GB, Coca-Cola European Partners.
Perrier watermelon
Perrier Sparkling Natural Mineral Water has introduced two new products: Perrier Strawberry and Perrier Watermelon.
The fruit-flavored beverages are sugar-free with no calories or sweeteners; making them great sources of refreshment and healthy hydration, says Perrier. “Both Strawberry and Watermelon boast refreshing bubbles and fresh tasting flavors, perfect as a thirst-quenching pick-me-up or added to your favorite mocktails or cocktails.”
Other Perrier offers include Lime, L’Orange, Pink Grapefruit and Green Apple flavors, in addition to Original.
Perrier is also introducing new packaging formats for on-the-go consumption: an 11.15 fl oz sleek can format, which will accompany the 8.45 fl oz slim cans and 16.9 fl oz PET bottles.
Voss adds lime mint sparkling water
Voss Water of Norway has added a sparkling water flavor, Lime Mint.
Like other Voss drinks, the new flavor is unsweetened and calorie free, made with artesian water from Norway and available in distinctive glass bottles.
"Sparkling water is currently one of the fastest growing categories in beverages, with flavored sparkling growing even more quickly, as consumers look for healthier alternatives to sweetened, caloric drinks," said Ken Gilbert, CMO of VOSS Water of Norway.
"The new VOSS Lime Mint flavor scored extremely well with flavored sparkling water drinkers and satisfies our consumers' quest for healthier options."
Low sugar sour Oasis
Coca-Cola European Partners has launched two new sour flavors for Oasis in the UK: Kiwi Apple Sour and Apple Cherry Sour.
“Sour flavors are already in growth within other FMCG categories, but this is a ‘sour’ first for juice drinks,” says Coca-Cola. “The brand’s new range offers low calories and low sugar, giving health conscious consumers an exciting new juice drink option.”
Both flavors are available in a £1 price marked pack to encourage consumers to try something new, while the products will be supported with a campaign including digital, static OOH, sampling activities and social media.
The core Oasis range, which includes Summer Fruits, Citrus Punch and Mango Medley, will remain at 4.1g of sugar per 100ml. Oasis Sour flavors will include 0.6g of sugar per 100ml and Oasis Zero has 0.5g of sugar per 100ml.
Vintage Seltzer summer flavors
Vintage Seltzer has launched two limited edition flavors, Strawberry Watermelon and Raspberry Lemonade, which launched over the Memorial Day Weekend in New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia.
Jen Driscoll, brand manager, Vintage, said: "Vintage created the new flavors as the perfect, refreshing compliment to the warm summer months."
Vintage Seltzer is naturally flavored with no artificial flavors, sweeteners, sugar or calories. Other flavors already on shelves include Lemon-Lime, Mandarin Orange, Wild Cherry, Watermelon, and Original.
‘Shiny Sheff’
A Sheffield (UK) brewery is marking the 35th anniversary of the 1982 sinking of HMS Sheffield with a 4% golden ale, ‘Shiny Sheff’, with proceeds being used to support war veterans.
Thomas Gill, Managing Director, Stancill Brewery said: “We were approached by organizers to help them with their preparations for Penistone’s Armed Forces Day and we felt it was fitting to produce a beer to coincide with the event.
“It was truly humbling to meet some of the crew members who sailed on and survived the attack on HMS Sheffield.
“HMS Sheffield was coined ‘The Shiny Sheff’ because on all Royal Navy ships, there are brass fittings. On HMS Sheffield, some of these fittings were made from Sheffield stainless steel. Our latest pint; The Shiny Sheff pays tribute to the Type 42 Destroyer and her crew and is a true reflection of the City of Sheffield’s industrial heritage.”
Shiny Sheff is described as an easy drinking beer, designed to be enjoyed on a summer day and brings together hints of citrus and floral notes. It is available for a limited period of time.
ProPump from POWR3D
DreamPak LLC, a developer and manufacturer of liquid food and dietary supplements, has launched a 100% whey protein isolate liquid concentrate for retailer GNC.
ProPump uses a patent-pending liquid delivery method to deliver the whey protein isolate in a pump format.
“The product also features glycerol, an ingredient that has been studied for its endurance and hyper-hydrating properties, and is also reported to support muscle pumps while engaging in resistance training exercises. Unlike other sugar alcohols such as mannitol, sorbitol and xylitol, glycerol is generally well tolerated in greater levels.”
ProPump is currently available in a 20-serving offering under Double Chocolate and Vanilla Crème varieties. Each serving delivers 20 grams of pure whey protein isolate that can be added to water, milk or another beverage.
‘Socks & Sandals’ IPA
179-year-old Stockport (UK) based brewer, Robinsons Brewery, is releasing ‘Socks & Sandals’, a 5.3% ABV Blonde Rye I.P.A, in partnership with the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).
“The fruity hop bomb of a beer created in the true American I.P.A style will definitely be one to delight the taste buds, with radiant essences of passionfruit, peach and grapefruit entwined throughout the golden liquid,” says the brewery.
The IPA is on sale at this week’s Stockport Beer and Cider Festival; and will be offered on draught to Robinsons’ pubs and consumers from this week.
Coconut water with pineapple
Zola Coconut Water in introducing a 1-liter Tetra Coconut Water with Pineapple, which pairs slightly sweet coconut water with the ‘season’s hottest flavor’, pineapple juice.
Meanwhile, the brand has reformulated and transitioned to all vegan ingredients and has removed dairy and carrageenan from its 17.5 fluid ounce Espresso and Chocolate Coconut Water cans.
The brand says these new recipes enhance the natural coconut water flavor and chocolate and espresso.
