Markets

The new essence range is considered an addition to hops, not a replacement to traditional dry hopping and hop pellets. Pic: Getty/5PH

Synergy’s water soluble hop essences tackle beer and soft drinks

By Beth Newhart

At IFT last week, Synergy Flavors debuted a new line of Synergy Pure Hop Essences as an alternative to traditional dry hopping. The water soluble ingredients are designed for beer, but can also be used with soft drinks like sparkling water, kombucha and...

pic: getty/semensalivanchuk

The world's fastest growing spirits brands

By Rachel Arthur

The world’s top 100 fastest-growing spirits brands grew collectively by 11% last year, compared to total category growth of 0.8%, according to the latest figures from the IWSR.

Bartek displays brand relaunch at IFT

By Beth Newhart

On its 50th anniversary in business, Bartek Ingredients debuted a brand relaunch at the 2019 Institute of Food Technologists show (IFT) in New Orleans. The Canada-based company manufactures malic and fumaric acid for use in beverages and confectionery.

It’s likely the craft beer industry has reached its growth peak and will continue dealing with its overcrowded market. Pic: Getty/Picnote

US craft beer slows while spirits take off

By Beth Newhart

The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies (PMMI) has released a new report on machinery and automation trends among breweries and distilleries, who are scaling back on production goals and diversifying offerings to stay competitive.

“The technology allows the craft side of coffee to replicate what’s so exciting about experiencing unique coffee.”

Shelf-stable RAIN tech could change the canned coffee space

By Beth Newhart

A concern in the RTD beverage industry is maintaining freshness and quality with a long shelf life. Special, crafted drinks like cold brew coffee struggle with this the most, but brewing technology from BKON is now extending product drinkability.

Bottled water is the most recycled product in curbside recycling systems, topping soda bottles. Pic: Getty/SergeyKlopotov

Bottled water sales continue to rise in the US

By Beth Newhart

The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) has revealed that Americans still favor bottled water over all other packaged drinks, after consuming 13.8 billion gallons of it in 2018.

“People want to avoid calories and sugar, but they also don’t necessarily want the current options that are out there in artificial.” Pic: Cargill

EverSweet fights stevia aftertaste with fermentation

By Beth Newhart

Cargill thinks the future ‘looks bright’ for stevia in beverages thanks to fermentation that extracts the smaller, sweeter compounds in the leaf. It’s been one year since Cargill launched its zero-calorie EverSweet ingredient with the technology.

Coca-Cola's bubbler dispensers put an emphasis on 'craft, elevated' beverages with low sugar options. Pic: BeverageDaily

Coca-Cola cuts back on sugar with bubbler beverages

By Beth Newhart

Shifting consumer taste is causing major beverage companies to adapt, make ‘healthy’ drinks taste better and be more accessible. Coca-Cola is using its Freestyle machines and new bubbler dispensers to highlight its ‘craft, elevated’ drinks in the market.

Consumers don’t want to be ‘couch-locked’ all day because of an edible, so the effects of Phyx only last about an hour.

New THC water offers alcohol alternative ‘Phyx’

By Beth Newhart

Joining the market of cannabis-infused products is Phyx, a THC flavored sparkling water, which hopes its low-dose and fast-acting formula will better perform as an alcohol replacement.

When it comes to purchasing behavior, product knowledge is even more important than taste physiology. Pic: Getty/Rawpixel

Should brands be marketing to ‘supertasters’?

By Beth Newhart

Taste sensitivity could be an untapped sector for beverages like wine and coffee, according to new research from Cornell University. Supertasters and nontasters respond differently to sensory information, with potential for new marketing strategies.

Unique flavors and alternate aging methods are a main focus area for craft distillers in specialized cocktails.  Pic: Getty/CabecaDeMarmore

BEVERAGE FORUM 2019

A ‘complex’ consumer base challenges US alcohol

By Beth Newhart

Over the past decade, the beverage category has been defined by the millennial generation, driven by local craft brands. The 2020s are expected to be shaped by Gen Z, with further digitization of brands using smart technology.

Most of the kombucha available in Malaysia now is imported, particularly from Australia and America. Pic: Getty/boyarkinamarina

Reviving Malaysia’s kombucha tradition

By Richard Whitehead

It’s not often that people think of a small country in Southeast Asia as a trendsetter, but when it comes to kombucha, Malaysia saw the now-fashionable fermented tea rise to wild levels of popularity—and then wither away—years before the first hipster...

Re-positioning soda and co-locating CPG divisions are just some of big brands' strategies. Pic: Getty/jonnysek

BEVERAGE FORUM 2019

How big soda is taking an ‘honest’ approach to consumer health habits

By Beth Newhart

PepsiCo, Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) and other major soda brands are still learning to grapple with the health and wellness wave that’s causing consumers to drop their sugary drinks for something ‘better-for-you’. Executives spoke at the 2019 Beverage Forum...

Can Pantone's colour of the year 2019 - 'Living Coral' - challenge the popularity of pink? Pic:getty/sanny11

Trend-spotting in spirits

By Rachel Arthur

What's the worldwide potential of whisky? Could the colour 'Living Coral' be 2019's challenger to pink? Diageo eyes up some of the top spirits trends.

Tea is taking on bigger roles out-of-home and outside cafes with food pairings and tea-infused foods. Pic: Getty/ThitareeSarmkasat

How can tea stay competitive?

By Beth Newhart

Alternate brewing methods, teas on tap, hard kombucha and more. The tea world is experimenting with “unique and more unusual, innovative ingredients” to keep consumers interested.

How to win in the UK's craft beer industry

Ten top tips for craft brewers

By Rachel Arthur

From embracing ecommerce to eying up gluten-free growth, the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) sets out 10 top tips for UK craft brewers.

Why there's a resurgence in RTD alcohol

Guest article

Why there’s a retail resurgence in RTDs

By Jen Draper, marketing director, Global Brands

Sales of alcohol-based ready-to-drink (RTD) formats are on the rise. Jen Draper, marketing director at independent drinks company Global Brands, outlines three key reasons why retailers are experiencing strong demand for RTDs.

Breweries should follow the three pillars of sustainability: social, environmental and economic. Pic: Brewers Association

Sustainability spotlight

Going green: How can craft brewers improve sustainability?

By Beth Newhart

Craft brewers may talk the sustainability talk – but find it a lot harder to walk the sustainability walk. Tracking performance can help reveal effective ways to improve, say experts.

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