The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, announced the launch of Coca-Cola Flex powered by Freestyle, a new beverage dispenser that offers an enhanced guest experience while reducing operational complexity. The next-generation dispenser debuted at the 2023 National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago.

Constellation Brands Inc., Victor, N.Y., has acquired a minority stake in TÖST, a flavor-forward and alcohol-free sparkling beverage brand. The investment was made through Constellation’s venture capital group, which aims to collaborate with people and brands driving innovation and transforming the future of the industry together.

Boston-based The Boston Beer Co., makers of Samuel Adams beer, announced at the Annual Craft Brewers Conference in Nashville a donation of $225,000 to the National Black Brewers Association (NB2A). This donation was timed to the launch of the NB2A, an organization dedicated to addressing underrepresentation of Black people in the brewing industry.

Following its successful introduction to the popular ready-to-drink category last year, Dos Equis, a brand of Heineken USA, White Plains, N.Y., is expanding its product portfolio with Dos Equis Lime & Salt ZERO non-alcoholic, Dos Equis Michelada and Dos Equis Mango Margarita.

The craft brewing business accounted for nearly $29 billion in beer sales last year, which is nearly one-quarter of the $120 billion beer industry revenue in the United States. But of the nearly 10,000 craft brewers in the country, only about 1% are Black individuals. A group of like-minded Black entrepreneurs now are setting out ― determined to change this dynamic.

PLEZi Nutrition, a public benefit company on a mission to create higher standards for how the U.S. makes and markets food and beverages for kids, leading with nutrition, taste, and truth, announced that former First Lady Michelle Obama has joined the company as a co-founder and strategic partner.

Twisted Tea Hard Iced Tea, a brand of Boston-based The Boston Beer Co., unveiled a surprise release of a new, limited-edition flavor: Twisted Tea Rocket Pop. A taste as big and as bright as fireworks on the Fourth of July, this limited-edition Twisted Tea combines the bold, iconic flavors of Rocket Pop — including lemon-lime, cherry and blue raspberry — with the smooth and delicious taste of America’s hard iced tea, the company says.

Spirit of Gallo, Modesto, Calif., has announced that it will acquire Fishers Island Lemonade, Mystic, Conn., a female-founded beverage brand. With a 9% ABV, Fishers Island Lemonade is positioned as a leader in the premium RTD category with its full-flavor taste profile of barrel-aged whiskey and premium vodka— its four-pack is offered at $15.99, the company notes. Today, the Fishers Island Lemonade family also includes Fishers Island Half and Half (7% ABV) and Fishers Island Pink Flamingo (7% ABV) line priced with a suggested retail price of $15.99 for a four-pack along with variety eight-pack offerings.

Absolut, a brand of New York-based Pernod Ricard USA, introduced the Absolut Vodka and Ocean Spray Vodka-Cranberry Range — a new ready-to-drink (RTD) line with Ocean Spray, Lakeville-Middleboro, Ma., building on the brands’ successful marketing partnership in the United States. Inspired by the classic combination of Absolut Vodka and Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice, this iconic collaboration will deliver one of America’s favorite serves with the new RTD line coming early 2024, the company says.

Vizzy Hard Seltzer, a brand of Chicago-based Molson Coors Beverage Co., is bringing the heat this summer with a new limited-edition summer flavor: Vizzy Orange Cream Pop Hard Seltzer and the debut of “Flavor For Every Vibe,” a fresh advertising campaign featuring bold, never-before-seen TV ads and a nationwide packaging glow-up.