Although John’s column will no longer be part of Beverage Industry, he left a legacy with us and you the readers that was just as impressive as his time on earth. 

A budding marketing opportunity for brand owners, NIL is gaining traction, but as beverage companies look to engage in this realm, it is important to understand the dynamics.

Given the rise of ready-to-drink RTD cocktails, Upgraded Points recently released a study unveiling the most popular canned cocktails and mocktails in each U.S. state. 

This year marked the 29th iteration of the New Product Pacesetters report from Circana. The 2023 New Product Pacesetters garnered a $6.1 billion in combined year-one sales across food, beverage and nonfood products, which was slightly less than the $7 billion achieved by 2022 Pacesetter sales.

In the consumer packaged goods space there’s no shortage of celebrity-backed products, particularly beverages. Although proliferating across all segments, alcohol brands are seeing the most activity.

A survey conducted by Dig Insights and released in partnership with the National Coffee Association (NCA) and Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) reveals that adult coffee consumption hit a two-decade high.

Honey has a rich history in beverage alcohol whether it’s with the creation of meads — a honey wine — or its addition to whiskey. Now the ingredient is finding itself in more spirits categories as brands look to differentiate.

As the pumpkin spice market is primarily driven by changing consumer preferences toward new and unique flavors, beverage-makers are developing pumpkin spice flavor concentrates, syrups and powders for customization into an array of beverages.

Market research firm Circana released its report “Tapping Into the Global Consumer Well-Being Opportunity,” where it identified ways consumers pursue their well-being across various sectors, including hydration and increased energy.

Recent IWSR analysis highlights some key reasons millennials are the age cohort boosting the non-alcohol segment in the United States, noting that the generation is consuming non-alcohol products with greater frequency than other age cohorts.

With wine capturing high eCommerce user penetration in the past couple of years, experts examine the demographic factors and consumer behavior driving online wine purchases.

In a video interview with Beverage Industry, Justin Solomon, category marketing director of alcoholic beverages at ADM, discussed what’s driving innovation in beverage alcohol not only in terms of the products but how consumers are approaching alcohol consumption. 

With Sober October kicking off, here are a few non-alcohol options to get in the spirit, sans spirit.

Treasury Wine Estates (TWE), Melbourne, Australia, announced the launch of its new line of premium wines, Drop of Sunshine, in partnership with Candle Media’s Hello Sunshine, a multi-channel media company founded by Reese Witherspoon that puts women at the center of every story it creates, celebrates and discovers. 

Three Chord Bourbon announced the highly anticipated release of its 2024 Backstage Series with The Allman Brothers Band, a blend of straight bourbon whiskey finished with toasted peach wood.

Driven by opportunity and a belief that strong community, family and friends are paramount to leading a purposeful life, Golden Eagle Vodka’s Co-Founder and CEO Dakota Blaze Rader shares how the brand aims to reinvigorate the premium vodka segment by blending American heritage with modern luxury.

As the official spirits partner of Universal Pictures’ “WICKED,” in theaters Nov. 22, Absolut is toasting to the power of friendship and inclusivity by offering “WICKED” consumers mystifying cocktail recipes.

Colgate Optic White and the McBride Sisters Collection introduced the McBride Sisters Collection x Colgate Optic White Limited-Edition Set, designed to help everyone “Live Life to the Brightest” this red wine season. 

Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg announced the launch of Still G.I.N. By Dre and Snoop, an ultra-premium gin now available for purchase nationwide. 

The American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA), along with SOVOS ShipCompliant, a beverage alcohol compliance company, released a 2024 consumer data report, highlighting consumers’ desire for buying craft spirits legally through DTC shipping.

Consumers have the chance to win an exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime experience to watch the Green Bay Packers play the Chicago Bears on Nov. 17 with Simone Biles, whose husband plays for the Chicago Bears and formerly played for the Packers.

As consumer package companies are increasingly designing more products with sustainability in mind, experts note that within the label industry, more companies are recognizing the need for labeling equipment that also supports a circular economy.

With consumers demanding more from their beverages, brand owners are employing a myriad of concepts to help the next generation of new products succeed. 

When it comes to beverage manufacturing and packaging practices, OEMs are creating the machinery necessary to help beverage-makers conserve and reduce their energy output. For plastic bottle manufacturing, it’s not just the increasing adoption of rPET plastic bottles, but also reducing the amount of carbon dioxide that it takes to power these machines, experts note.

Back after four years, PACK EXPO International convened more than 44,000 attendees, surpassing the 2018 event. With 2,200 exhibitors and more than 1.2 million net square feet at McCormick Place in Chicago, PACK EXPO International took place Oct. 23-26, showcasing the latest innovations and trends impacting the packaging and processing markets.

When it comes to beverage packaging operations, today’s diverse beverage marketplace necessitate can filling and seaming equipment that supports flexible, safe operations.

The latest addition to EndFlex’s lineup of case and tray packing machines is the PKR modular pick and place cell with delta robot. 

A five-axis Delta robot is the latest innovation in ABB’s FlexPicker portfolio.

Beverage operations are juggling SKU proliferation, varying pack sizes and a changing workforce. Packing machinery is helping these manufacturers minimize disruptions to those operations.

As beverage-maker’s need to do more with today’s filling equipment, original equipment manufacturers are prioritizing changeover speeds, safety and efficacy in their solutions.

Beverage packaging and manufacturing operations have married speed and accuracy to inspect and protect today’s beverages through a variety of applications and environments.

Sustainability and on-the-go consumption are among the key packaging influencing coding technology as these solutions look to support high line speeds and varying pack sizes.

Although safety is a top priority when it comes to labeling, trends in beverage labeling materials — mainly sustainability — also are greatly impacting labeling equipment. 

As the beverage industry works toward tackling environmental degradation, experts highlight how sustainable packaging efforts are having an impact on plastic bottle manufacturing.

AstroNova Inc. introduced a variety of new digital printer solutions under its flagship QuickLabel and TrojanLabel product brands. 

With market trends, SKU proliferation and more, experts highlight how flexible can filling and seaming equipment works to fill a variety of container sizes, while ensuring product safety.

As the retail market continues to drive demand for flexible case packing and wrapping equipment, experts highlight how these packaging systems work to meet beverage market trends.

With market trends, SKU proliferation, and more, impacting filler technology, experts highlight how technological advancements work to address issues from sustainability to product safety.

Packaging machinery manufacturer Deitz Co. has produced a neck banding machine that automatically applies tamper-evident shrinkbands onto tiny bottles. 

Experts weigh in on the various forms of packaging inspection equipment used in the beverage industry.

Experts share insights on coding technology for beverage packaging.

As sustainability is a driving force for change in labeling materials for beverage packaging, experts highlight how labeling equipment is evolving to support these trends.

Given the high interest in sustainability from consumers, today’s plastic bottle manufacturers are taking the steps to ensure their business aligns with what consumers are looking for.

As consumers are spending less on discretionary items and more on essentials, experts note that mass merchandisers are capitalizing on value, variety and services.

More and more shoppers today are exploring the eCommerce channel for beverage purchases as awareness and accessibility are making it easier to navigate.

As inflationary trends continue to impact the grocery channel, experts highlight how supermarkets are employing various strategies to increase market share.

Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA), Washington, D.C., released the findings of a new survey conducted in partnership with Morning Consult that measured current alcohol shipping practices, consumer sentiment and purchasing behaviors.

The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, announced the launch of Coca-Cola Leader Lab, a people-centric leadership program that addresses a significant issue facing the future of foodservice: attracting, developing and retaining an engaged frontline workforce.