As 2018 comes to a close, the editors of Beverage Industry want to highlight the Top 3 most-viewed beverage news headlines for the year. No. 1 was the announcement by SONIC's Drive-In, Oklahoma City, that it was releasing SONIC’s new Cookie Jar Shakes as part of its Summer Nights event.

Chattanooga, Tenn.-based The Double Cola Co. announced the return of Tropical SKI, a carbonated soft drink (CSD) known for its bright blue color. The limited-edition flavor will return this month in select market in the Midwest and Southeast, including Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio and Kentucky.

When you look at the U.S. spirits market, consumers continue to turn to the whiskey/bourbon segment in large numbers. It stands to reason that the readers of Beverage Industry also might be taken with the spirit segment.

Chicago-based Information Resources Inc. (IRI) announced last year’s most successful consumer packaged goods (CPG) launches in its 2017 New Product Pacesetters report, the CPG industry-recognized benchmark analysis of exceptional first-year new product sales success.

Stella Artois, a brand of Leuven, Belgium-based Anheuser-Busch InBev, introduced Joie de Bière, a new campaign that urges consumers not to let life and all its modern distractions get in the way of savoring the moments that matter. 

Humboldt Distillery, Humboldt County, Calif., is planning to celebrate 4/20 with cocktails using its cannabis-infused vodka Humboldt’s Finest. 

Through their joint-venture, Nielsen, N.Y., and CGA Strategy, U.K., announced the launch of Check-Level Insights Pool (CLIP) data.

As part of its latest campaign, Tiger Beer, a brand within White Plains, N.Y.-based HEINEKEN USA’s Five Points Trading Co., takes the idea of “uncaging” beyond emerging talent to local heroes and focuses it on a specific type of creative: those whose bold approach to their craft serves a good cause.

The study will explore the impact of legalized marijuana on major industries, including adult beverages and foodservice.

Coca Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, Charlotte, N.C., reported operating results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2017.