2023 November

2023 Executive of the Year: Michael Kirban, co-founder and executive chairman of The Vita Coco Co.

Kirban aims to introduce more consumers to coconut water

November 8, 2023

Michael Kirban, co-founder and executive chairman of The Vita Coco Co., has seen the company accomplish one of its best quarters in history, but still aspires to introduce more consumers to the benefits of coconut water.

Special Report

Craft brewers captivating consumers with innovative creations

Brands adapt to ever-changing demands of consumers

Chloe Alverson

November 2, 2023

Although craft beer sales are slowing, experts note that IPAs continue to dominate the category.

Category Focus

Digesting the future for dairy, alternative milks

Total milk looks to stabilize volume declines

Jessica Jacobsen

November 1, 2023

Total milk ― comprised of dairy, plant and all other milks ― is in hopes of a revival as the category continues to be challenged following its spikes in volume and dollar sales in 2020.

Up Close With

Phocus combines hydration, energy

Beverage brand provides caffeine from tea

Chloe Alverson

October 25, 2023

Experts suspect that the future is bright for both the energy drink and sparkling water market, Phocus is looking to be the go-to solution for consumers seeking both.

Ingredient Spotlight

Beverage-makers work to deliver convenient, nutritional protein options

Health and wellness influences consumer interest in protein beverages

Chloe Alverson

October 20, 2023

Experts suggest that beverage brands can further innovate their portfolios by offering plant-based protein-fortified alternatives within various beverage categories.

SGWS highlights generation wine trends

Younger consumers prefer natural, organic wines

Lauren Sabetta

November 3, 2023

As younger adults consume less wine, baby boomers dominant wine consumption, in part because they’re still the largest generation by population.

Key fleet data points influencing insurance policies

Jeff Cioletti

October 31, 2023

Technology is playing a greater role when it comes to calculating insurance costs for fleets, particularly as some look into adding electric vehicles to the mix.

Operations Perspective

Understanding safety practices and related costs in beverage warehouses

Private companies, government approved agencies offer valuable resources

John Peter Koss

October 27, 2023

From an operations perspective, safety is an important investment in the warehouse.

Beverage Beat

Sports sponsorships enter transformative phase

New beverage alcohol brands shake up status quo

Jessica Jacobsen

October 17, 2023

Shedding light on beverage alcohol sponsorships, SponsorUnited, a sports and entertainment platform, released its inaugural “Alcohol Beverages Marketing Partnerships 2023” report, which analyzes sponsorship trends and spend across various alcohol brands.

Full Glass Wine Co. acquires Wine Insiders

Company expands its direct-to-consumer wine operations

Staff Beverage Industry

October 2, 2023

Los Angeles-based Full Glass Wine Co., a brand acquisition and management firm focused on direct-to-consumer (DTC) wine, announced the acquisition of Wine Insiders from DRINKS, the pioneering and leading operating system for alcohol eCommerce. The acquisition of Wine Insiders marks the second DTC wine brand purchased by Full Glass Wine Co., founded earlier this year by alcohol industry veteran Louis Amoroso and entrepreneur Neha Kumar, following its purchase of the DTC operating assets of wine and lifestyle brand Winc.com from AMASS Brands Group.

Uncle Matt's Organic Superfruit Punch

September 21, 2023

Uncle Matt's Organic is adding a new functional juice-based beverage to its portfolio: Uncle Matt's Organic Superfruit Punch.

FUNNY WATER Pomegranate

September 14, 2023

FUNNY WATER, a hard water brand with natural flavors and no carbonation, announced its latest flavor release: Pomegranate.

Rowdy Mermaid’s good mood soda

September 27, 2023

Rowdy Mermaid, a functional beverage brand, announced the release of its latest innovation: good mood soda, a low-sugar, low-calorie, functional soda infused with 200 mg of ashwagandha extract.

Kentucky Coffee Hard Cold Brews

September 18, 2023

Kentucky Coffee, a brand of Atomic Brands, announced its expansion into the ready-to-drink (RTD) category with the debut of its new Hard Cold Brews, a mixed cocktail made with premium whiskey and cold brew.

NDO H2O ultra-premium waters

September 25, 2023

No Days Off (NDO) announced the launch of its NDO H2O ultra-premium canned waters.

Sagamore Spirit Amaro

September 20, 2023

Sagamore Spirit announced the release of its-first-ever liqueur: Sagamore Spirit Amaro.

BODYARMOR Flash I.V. Hydration Boosters

October 3, 2023

BODYARMOR Sports Nutrition announced the launch of its latest innovation: BODYARMOR Flash I.V. Hydration Boosters.

PLAY HARD Vodka Seltzers

September 26, 2023

Playboy Spirits, in a joint venture between Spirits Investment Partners (SIP) and PLBY Group, announced the launch of PLAY HARD, a premium line of vodka seltzers.

ShineWater debuts ‘Trolls Band Together’ cans

October 6, 2023

ShineWater will debut the limited-edition “Trolls Band Together” cans and pouch packaging this fall ahead of the film’s Nov. 17 release. Through this partnership, ShineWater pouches also will be distributed in limited-edition packaging, which will also feature characters from “Trolls Band Together.”

Johnnie Walker launches limited-edition bottle for Blue Label Elusive Umami

October 5, 2023

Johnnie Walker unveiled its limited-edition bottle featuring a new blend: Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami.

REBBL debuts new packaging

September 21, 2023

REBBL unveiled its occasion-based packaging design. Available on shelves nationwide, the new design is featured across the beverage portfolio, spanning six daily occasions with more than 16 varieties, all developed with the mantra of “Empower the People.”

Oak Ridge Winery unveils Old Soul rebrand

September 28, 2023

Oak Ridge Winery officially unveils a new identity for its estate-grown wine brand, Old Soul. The rebrand celebrates the tapestry of its vineyards, blending past traditions with aspirations for Old Soul’s next chapter, the company says.

Channel Strategies

Mass merchandisers capitalize on grocery items, services

Consumers spending more on food and drink, reducing discretionary spend

Lauren Sabetta

October 26, 2023

As consumers are spending less on discretionary items and more on essentials, experts note that mass merchandisers are capitalizing on value, variety and services.

Packaging Equipment

Plastic bottling systems keep pace with sustainable packaging trends

Growing interest in rPET bottles highlights importance of inspection equipment

Lauren Sabetta

October 30, 2023

As the beverage industry works toward tackling environmental degradation, experts highlight how sustainable packaging efforts are having an impact on plastic bottle manufacturing.

Natural colors help beverage-makers break from conventional

Functional, color association vital in connecting with consumers

Lauren Sabetta

October 23, 2023

As wellness trends have taken hold in the beverage space, experts highlight how natural and organic trends are impacting color choices used in the market.

Sustainable facilities benefit environment, beverage operations

Solar panels among most popular sustainable solution for facilities

Jessica Jacobsen

October 18, 2023

In beverage warehouses, the demand for more sustainable operations has prompted distributors and manufacturers to incorporate practices that are less taxing to the environment, but also benefit operations.

Warehouse software in beverage facilities

Warehouse software helps beverage facilities keep up with shifting market

Cloud-based applications allow software management enter artificial intelligence realm

Jessica Jacobsen

October 24, 2023

SKU proliferation and automation are among the many trends prompting beverage warehouses to select software solutions that can manage and execute efficient and effective operations.