North American Breweries introduced Seagram’s Smooth in response to consumer feedback regarding the quality and taste of current flavored malt beverages (FMB) in the market, the company says.
The frequently asked question, “What should I have to drink?” was the inspiration for Diageo’s flavored malt beverage (FMB) strategy. This summer’s advertising for Diageo’s Smirnoff Premium Malt Mixed Drinks answers that question featuring a “Fridgetender,” a portable bartender character who appears in refrigerators and coolers at the right time. In addition to Smirnoff Premium Malt Mixed Drinks, Diageo’s FMB lineup also includes the recently launched Jeremiah Weed FMBs and Smirnoff On The Rocks, which is a multi-serve version of the Premium Malt Mixed Drinks.
Roswell, Ga.-based Gila Brew Co., re-launched its CJ Crunk Juce line of flavored malt beverages in new packaging and flavors. The new design targets CJ’s audience of 21- to 29-year-old males and females, the company says. Packaged in 23.5-ounce cans, CJ Crunk Juce features colored bands representing the flavor profiles between the gray gothic text on a distressed black background. The design is intended to help the brand stand out from other flavored malt beverages, the company says. CJ Crunk Juce is available in Fruit Punch, Grape and Watermelon varieties and contains 6 to 12 percent alcohol by volume depending on the market, the company says.
After the previous year’s trend of trading down to below-premium brands, in 2010 brewers narrowed the price gap between below-premium and premium brands.