R&D

Bevi cuts 150 million bottles and cans from the workplace

By Beth Newhart

Complimentary workplace snacks and beverages are now a relatively common practice for US employers, but the mounting costs and environmental drawbacks have offices turning more to eco-friendly drink systems like Bevi.

KO Kombucha at the Probiota fermented foods showcase

Editor's Spotlight: Startup Focus

Kefir and kombucha going mainstream but science is yet to ferment

By Nikki Hancocks

The mass market is already convinced that fermented food and drink is healthy but the more mass produced these products become the less likely they are to offer health benefits, meaning consumers could lose faith, so better science and education are needed...

Bacardi goes ‘back to the bar’ in search of cocktail trends

By Beth Newhart

Bacardi is enlisting the help of 7,000 global employees to track new trends in cocktails and wider alcohol by sending them to local bars and restaurants. This year mindful drinking is expected to go mainstream, and natural, fresh ingredients will be at...

Getty | Energy drinks

Decision bias: Study compares energy drinks to alcohol and drugs

By Nikki Hancocks

Energy drink consumers show the same biased decision-making processes often seen in people addicted to alcohol, tobacco, drugs and chocolate, say researchers, but the amount they drink does not reduce through cognitive modification techniques.

Alcohol brands

Alcohol brands are making billion-dollar ecommerce mistakes

By Beth Newhart

US consumers spent $2.6bn buying alcohol online last year, but experts say it could be billions more. Alcohol ecommerce penetration is ‘abysmally low’ which Rabobank believes could have 'profound consequences' on the industry.

“We’re doing so much more in DC than we were four years ago. We’re speaking up for common sense labeling regulations, lobbying for legislation to lower excise taxes.

Cider association rebrands and highlights dry offerings

By Beth Newhart

The United States Association of Cider Makers (USACM) was officially renamed to the American Cider Association (ACA) on December 31. It called 2019 ‘a year of resilience’ for cider in the face of flavored malt beverage (FMB) popularity.

The Sans Bar x DRY 2020 National Pop Up Tour kicks off on January 10 in Seattle.

Dry Soda and Sans Bar partner for sober bar pop-up tour across the US

By Beth Newhart

A sober bar from Texas will take its alcohol-free drink partners and signature mocktails on tour to 15 cities across the US this year. It’s joined forces with ‘botanical bubbly’ Dry Soda in a shared mission to help people connect without alcohol.

Pic:getty/jovanepn

Cutting carbon footprints: Tax treats not meat?

By Rachel Arthur

Japanese households with higher carbon footprints are also larger consumers of alcohol and confectionery. Researchers therefore suggest that reducing consumption of these items - such as with a carbon tax - could be a way of reducing carbon footprints....

“More than two-thirds of Americans across the political spectrum want excise tax relief for the beer industry, which supports more than 2.1 million American jobs.

US House votes to extend craft beverage tax act

By Beth Newhart

Craft brewers and importers will not face a $130m tax increase in 2020 thanks to a one-year extension of relief from the the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act.

Consumer appetite for hard seltzer is based on occasion and flavored refreshment, which has given the category year-round success. Pic: Getty/hiro-y

No end in sight for US hard seltzer domination

By Beth Newhart

US hard seltzer consumption is set to triple by 2023. But will consumers be able to support the stream of new launches? And can other global markets mimic the success of seltzer in the US?

Vineyards in South Australia's Barossa Valley. Pic: getty/moisseyev

How Aussie wine has thrived over a decade of change

By Richard Whitehead

“We always say the best wine is yet to be made, and every year we get a little bit closer despite all the risks nature throws at us,” says Dan Johnson as he considers his 13 years at the Australian Wine Research Institute in Adelaide.

Mexico is the world's largest exporter of beer, but craft brewers have yet to catch up. Pic: Cerveza Mexico

Mexican craft beer looks to mimic big-brand success with exports

By Beth Newhart

At the recent Cerveza México 2019 event, it was revealed that the country’s craft beer market is nearly up to 1,400 independent breweries with a 29 million litre output. The industry relies heavily on exports to the US and Europe to keep up with annual...

Following a $10m investment in local businesses, the Chicago Starbucks Reserve Roastery opened to the public on Michigan Avenue.

World’s biggest Starbucks opens in Chicago

By Beth Newhart

The newest Starbucks Reserve Roastery is the company’s largest location in the world, with five floors and more than 35,000 square feet. It opens its doors November 15 in downtown Chicago.

Truly has recently announced a reformulation, a hard lemonade product and a sponsorship with the NHL.

Truly will be the first hard seltzer served in-flight

By Beth Newhart

In a new deal inked with JetBlue, Truly Hard Seltzer will be the first official alcoholic seltzer of a US airline. Starting this fall, the Wild Berry flavor will be available on all JetBlue flights.