For the first time in its 30-year history, Lakefront Brewery is releasing its crowd favorite and No. 1 selling Riverwest Stein Amber Lager in cans, the company says.

In the beverage, supply chain and packaging markets, tradeshow season is in full swing. I recently attended ProMat and ProFood Tech at McCormick Place in Chicago, and will be heading to Las Vegas later this month to attend the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting & Food Expo, which will take place June 26-28.

HFactor announced a complete redesign of its packaging. To upgrade functionality, HFactor now features a twist-off spout. In addition, the new look and feel includes an enhanced hour-glass structure, along with a revamped modern aesthetic, the company says.

Today’s consumers arguably are more engaged with a beverage’s packaging than ever before, increasingly reading ingredient lists and Nutrition Facts labels and researching products on their mobile phones before purchasing in the store, while at the same time engaging with brands on the Internet. This interaction, along with the proliferation of products on store shelves, continues to solidify the relationship between a beverage brand and its packaging. 

As Perrier Artist of the Year, HOTTEA will kick off a year-long partnership with the brand and will have his original design featured on limited-edition packaging, which will be available in the United States later this year.

Van Gogh Vodka unveiled new packaging for its self-titled lineup of vodkas. The project was a collaboration between Van Gogh Vodka and Spring Design Partners, which sought to re-imagine the on-shelf expression of the iconic namesake by creating a standout design that would elevate the flavored vodka segment, capture the millennial market and contemporize the brand, it says.

Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits announced the launch of a new bottle and label design for its premium American whiskeys: Redemption Rye, High Rye Bourbon and Bourbon.

It’s crazy to believe that 2016 is almost at a close. Although there still is much to accomplish before 2017 arrives, the latest trends already are popping up. In the beverage market, much attention usually is given to the finished products because, as many will tell you, taste is king. However, one must not overlook the upcoming trends in packaging attributes.

As a part of its collaboration with DreamWorks Animation and the film “Trolls,” Sparkling Ice launched the UnconTROLLable Flavor campaign, which featured a variety of elements, including custom coloring cans. Through the end of the month, Sparkling Ice is offering a series of “Trolls” fridge packs that include limited-edition coloring cans, which enable consumers to directly color on the packaging, the company says.

Pepe Zevada Z Tequila released a new look for its line of tequilas. The new label still features the brand’s iconic Z, but takes inspiration from colonial and mid-century modern Mexican styles, the company says. Dee Kelleher, president of Empresario Brands, the parent company of Z Tequila, led the design initiative.