In Rabobank's new report about the U.S. brandy market, the New York-based financial services company identifies a clear market gap in what logically should be the segment’s strongest price segment — premium brands. Between the value, low-growth end of the brandy spectrum and the fast-growing, super-premium Cognac end, there is a potential opportunity for spirits companies to tap into the growing appetite for premium spirits among sophisticated, affluent U.S. consumers, it suggests.

Keurig Green Mountain Inc., Waterbury, Vt., released Keurig K-Mugpods. The pods brew a large travel mug-size of coffee through the company’s Keurig 2.0 brewing system. Keurig 2.0, which debuted in Fall 2014, is the first Keurig brewer with the ability to brew a single cup, a four-cup carafe, and now a travel-mug size of coffee.

Beverage Marketing Corp. (BMC), New York, and Technomic Inc., Chicago, announced a new strategic alliance between the two firms. Through this alliance, BMC and Technomic will provide unparalleled depth of market information to the ever-evolving beverage industry, its suppliers and advisers, the companies report.

Jones Soda Co., Seattle, announced its spring- and Easter-themed bottles, featuring the return of retired flavors: Pineapple Cream and Grape.

Heineken USA, White Plains, N.Y., unveiled BrewLock, its patented new on-premise technology that transforms the quality, consistency and environmentally sound delivery of draft beer, the company says. The BrewLock draft beer system is designed to consistently provide a freshly brewed beer taste in an easy-to-install format, it says.

Following last year’s launch of Sprite 6 Mix by LeBron James, the brand of Atlanta-based The Coca-Cola Co. and the NBA superstar have given the limited-edition flavor a new look and a new name: Sprite LeBron’s Mix.

Official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby to support Wounded Warrior Equestrian Program, Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund

As retailers, bars and restaurants see their fair share of green-clad consumers on March 17, they might be taking an informal tally of the most popular alcohol beverages purchased that day.

Charlotte, N.C.-based BYB Brands Inc. launched a multi-pack line extension for its Tum-E Yummies portfolio of fruit-flavored water drinks.

The Brewers Association (BA), Boulder, Colo., released 2014 data about the growth of U.S. craft brewing. For the first time, craft brewers reached double-digit (11 percent) volume share of the marketplace, the association reports.