What's hitting the shelves? New products: July 2018

Rose gin​

Bacardi’s Bosford Rose Premium Gin & Strawberry Liqueur - a ‘cheerfully pink-hued and strawberry and raspberry naturally flavored distilled spirit’ – is making its way to the US following its debut in Southern Europe.

The liqueur is a gluten-free premium rose gin made with a natural strawberry flavor and a hint of natural raspberry flavor. The liquid is first distilled using all the botanicals of Bosford London Dry gin: juniper, coriander, angelica, lemon peel and orange peel.

“This is the first pink gin to launch nationwide, appealing to the millennial-led desire for all things rosé,” ​says Bacardi.

“​Designed to be enjoyed as a spritz with lemonade, a cocktail with Martini & Rossi Prosecco and strawberry garnish, or an exciting twist to a classic gin and tonic, Bosford Rose aims to become the go-to drink for young urban millennials and female cocktail enthusiasts.”​

Bosford Rose will be initially available at liquor stores in target markets including Maryland, Georgia, New York, Illinois, California, and Florida for an average retail price of $14.99 per bottle.

Yenda Session​

Australian Beer Company has launched a mid-strength 3.5% ABV beer – Yenda Session – to complement the existing range.

The brew debuted at this year’s GABS (beer, cider and food) festivals and the Wallabies / Ireland rugby game at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium in June. Session is now being launched across Australia in 330ml bottles and on tap, in on-premise venues, selected off-premise retailers and independent bottle shops.

Brewed by the Australian Beer Company in the town of Yenda in the New South Wales Riverina, Yenda beers are made with water from the Snowy Mountains and barley from local farmers. 

“Mid-strengths are the second largest segment in beer, and fastest growing at 16% year on year as more consumers are shifting to more sessionable beers,”​ said Sam Johnstone, Yenda beerologist.

“Drinking in moderation is a key driver for that, mid-strengths are popular because they can be enjoyed for their lower alcohol and their crisp fresh flavours.​

“Unlike most craft brewed mid-strengths, Yenda Session is a lager, making it a refreshing, not too challenging alternative to heavier, more challenging beers. It’s made in a traditional style but with more flavor and premium cues, which is what we think makes it a bit different.”​

Australian Beer Company is jointly owned by Coca-Cola Amatil and Casella Family Brands.

New​ flavors for Treo​

Treo, an organic brand of fruit and birch water beverages, has launched three new flavors and a new look.

The new flavors are raspberry lemonade, kiwi watermelon and orange apricot.

The new look features a simplified design focusing on the product’s key attributes: organic, fruit flavor, 10 calories, 1g of sugar and 1 net carb per serving. 

“We’ve learned a lot since our ​product​ launch just over a year ago,”​ said Bob Golden, Founder/CEO.

“We’ve invested heavily in sampling and field marketing during our first year, allowing our customers to become the real drivers of our brand. We’ve listened to their feedback, reacted quickly and come to market with a revitalized brand architecture/communication and ​new​ flavors suggested by our consumers.”​

The complete line-up includes blueberry, coconut pineapple, peach mango, strawberry, raspberry lemonade, kiwi watermelon and orange apricot. Treo is found in retailers in the US including Stop & Shop, Giant Food, 7-Eleven, Earthfare, ShopRite and Acme.

Craft beer: from Korea to the US​

The Booth Brewing has released its fourth edition of signature series EurekaSeoul Hop Ale with Huell Melon hops.

The Booth Brewing was founded in Seoul, Korea, in 2013. Its three founders, initially working as Korean medical doctor, financial analyst, and Economist correspondent, came together with their love of craft beer and an ambition to create a “booth” where young-minded people can gather to change the world while enjoying quality beer. In May 2017 The Booth extended operations into its current Eureka facility in California.

“The Booth’s signature Hop Ale is forged by combining the city of Seoul’s passion for flavor with the freshest hops in the West Coast.  Its hazy golden hue will leave you with a vivid impression of summer time. Double dry-hopped to give it a burst of honeydew melon, apricot, and strawberry aroma and flavor. With an ABV of 6.5% and low IBUs, this beer is a perfect refresher for those hot summer days!”​

The brew is available in 16 oz. cans and 5.2 gallon keykegs, in limited locations in Humboldt County and in the Bay Area.

Tequila Don Julio​

Tequila Don Julio has launched the brands first innovation in six years - Tequila Don Julio Reposado, Double Cask – a limited-edition, innovative Reposado tequila finished in the casks used in the making of Buchanan’s Blended Scotch Whisky.

Double Cask is first matured in American White Oak barrels for eight months as with Tequila Don Julio’s traditional Reposado.

The tequila is then finished for 30 days in casks used in the making of Buchanan’s Blended Scotch Whisky. “This unique ageing process creates a distinctive flavor profile that is rich and complex,” ​says the brand.

Tequila Don Julio Reposado, Double Cask is available at participating retailers across the US while supplies last and has a suggested retail price of $59.99.

Bread Board​

UK supermarket Iceland and Welsh brewer Tiny Rebel are rolling out a beer made from the supermarket’s surplus bread. 

Bread Board replaces some of the malt in a brew with bread, extracting starches and breaking them down into fermentable sugars.

The beer has ‘tropical fruit and citrus aromas with a refreshing hopped bite’. 

The beer retails at £1.80 for a 330ml bottle, with 10p from each product going to Surfers Against Sewage, which works to reduce plastic pollution in the sea. 

Alkaline water​

Southern California-based Villager Goods - a brand created by a team of surfers, skateboarders, snowboarders, photographers, and artists - has launched Villager Goods Alkaline Water. 

Villager Goods Alkaline Water joins Villager Organic Premium Coconut Water as the health and wellness start-up's second premium beverage offering.

“Villager Goods Alkaline Water is the ultimate ingredient for those seeking to nourish a healthy and active lifestyle,” ​according to the brand.

“Engineered to increase the alkalinity of pure water to a 9.5 pH, the enhanced water is processed through a reverse osmosis, using the finest mineral salts, and is BPA free; resulting in water that not only tastes clean and refreshing but is rich in alkalizing compounds including calcium, silica, potassium, magnesium, and bicarbonate. ​

“The results are believed to neutralize the acid in your bloodstream and help the body to metabolize nutrients more effectively; ultimately leading to better health and performance.”​

Hard tonic​

Percival & Co has launched a ‘hard tonic’ - an alcoholic elderflower tonic water - in the UK. 

With an ABV of 4%, the drink is made by infusing fortified apple wine with elderflower and other botanicals. 

The drink retails at £3.50 for a 330ml bottle. 

Lavazza coffee capsules​

Italian coffee company Lavazza has launched a new range of capsules in France, compatible with Nespresso machines.

The four varieties are Espresso Vigoroso, Espresso Deciso, Espresso Armonico and Lungo Avvolgente.

“With the ​new​ range, consumers can discover four varieties of coffee adapted for different tastes and preferences,”​ says the brand.

The capsules retail at €2.80 for a box of 10 capsules.

Ming River baijiu launches in the US​

Ming River Sichuan Baijiu, a spirit from China’s oldest continuously operating distillery, has launched in the US. 

“Baijiu has for years been the world most popular spirits category, but it's still not well understood outside of China,” ​said Derek Sandhaus, co-founder and author of ‘Baijiu: The Essential Guide to Chinese Spirits’. 

“There’s a tendency in Western media to focus on the drink's potency and otherness, which misses the fact that baijiu is a diverse category of spirits with expressions that come in many strengths and styles. Two baijius can be as distinct from one another as gin is to tequila.​

“Baijiu is inseparable from the Chinese culinary tradition, and it contains a range of aromas and flavors one can’t find in any other type of spirit.”​

Baijiu is traditionally enjoyed neat at room temperature, but can also be used in mixed drinks.

Ming River is available in a 750-ml format, beginning in the states of New York, New Jersey, and California through Park Street Imports. Ming River is currently available now for purchase at Brooklyn Wine Exchange for $34.