Capping a decades-long streak of vigorous growth, bottled water achieved a major milestone in 2016, when it surpassed carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) to become the largest beverage category by volume in the United States, according to New York-based Beverage Marketing Corporation (BMC). Total bottled water volume grew from 11.8 billion gallons in 2015 to 12.8 billion gallons in 2016, an increase of nearly 9 percent, which marked the third year of accelerated growth, the market research firm says. 

The San Rafael, Calif.-based Mighty Leaf Tea Co., which specializes in artisan blends of whole leaf teas, herbs and fruits, launched a new multi-tiered tea program, offering three distinct lines of teas to serve the multi-faceted needs of its foodservice customers. The new program is a part of the company’s broader strategy to offer a high-quality tea program for the foodservice channel at every price point and for every venue, the company says.   

Delicato Family Vineyards, Napa, Calif., announced the addition of a Rosé to its Noble Vines Collection. The 2016 Noble Vines Vine Select 515 Rosé releases nationally this month, the company says.

Redd’s Brewing Co., a brand of Chicago-based MillerCoors, announced the return of the Redd’s Wicked Limited Release series. Kicking off the return of the series is Redd's Wicked Strawberry Kiwi, a new flavor. The second flavor in the series, Redd's Wicked Strawberry Kiwi hit shelves nationwide on March 1 and will only be available for a limited time, the company says.

Miami-based Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits LLC announced the launch of its new Travel Sales and Export division, becoming the first major U.S. wholesale distributor to offer brokerage services to travel and export market channels, the company says. The new division will serve supplier partners as a broker across the Caribbean and Latin American regions, the cruise line industry, and duty-free operators in the Americas. As a broker, Southern Glazer’s will act as an agent of record and provide sales, marketing and logistical support to these markets, it says.

Stella Artois, a brand of Anheuser-Busch InBev, Leuven, Belgium, and National Geographic announced that a new documentary, "Our Dream of Water,” a film spotlighting the effects of the global water crisis, will make its world premiere on March 22 in celebration of World Water Day. The documentary, debuting on the National Geographic channel, was commissioned by Stella Artois as a part of its Buy A Lady A Drink campaign, an ongoing partnership with Water.org to help provide clean water to people in the developing world, the company says. 

Southwest Spirits & Wine, a joint venture between Southwest Distillery and Prairie Creek Beverages, announced the release of Calamity Gin. 

More than 14,000 brewery professionals are expected to attend the 34^th edition of Craft Brewers Conference & Brewexpo America, which takes place April 10-13 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. At the event, Imola, Italy-based Sacmi will focus on new solutions for the total quality control of labelled bottles at booth No. 2155.

Amestel, a brand of Heineken USA, White Plains, N.Y., announced the launch of of a new light beer: Amstel Xlight. With 90 calories, 2 grams of carbs, 4.2 percent alcohol by volume and 4 international bittering units, Amstel Xlight is a sessionable, premium quality light beer with a full beer flavor not expected from a light beer, the company says. The new product, which launched March 1 in Arizona, Texas, and Boston, Mass.,is available in six-pack bottles, 12-pack cans and bottles, and a 24-ounce single-serve can.  

Beginning March 1, Wauconda, Ill.-based Small Town Brewery, the makers of Not Your Father’s Root Beer, will introduce a new collection of artisanal brews that put a fresh spin on three classic American flavors. The new lineup includes Not Your Mom’s Apple Pie, Not Your Mom’s Strawberry Rhubarb and Not Your Mom’s Iced Tea.