Introductions in the beer, wine and spirits beverage category continue to enter the marketplace at a rapid pace. Below are a handful of new products that touch on a variety of category trends including botanical infusions, cannabis drinks and innovative flavor pairings such as cold brew coffee and wine.
First, let’s start with a new product that defies category: Henry's Hard Sparkling Water. That’s right, an alcoholic sparkling water. It’s lightly flavored with a clear composition. And, it’s an alcoholic sparkling water. A water, that contains alcohol. Sorry, I don’t think we should overlook that specific detail.
Henry's Hard Sparkling Water is available in 6-pack 12-ounce slim cans in three varieties including Lemon Lime, Passion Fruit, and new Strawberry Kiwi.
BEER
Moosehead Launches Pale Ale in US
Moosehead Pale Ale has been brewed using the same recipe since 1933
Moosehead Breweries is Canada's oldest and largest independent brewery - and now, for the first time, the company's most historic beer will available across the US. Moosehead Pale Ale has been brewed using the same recipe since 1933 and has built a loyal following in Canada for its inherent strength, taste and clean European character.
Starting this month, the beer will be available in 4-pack 16-ounce cans, and 12-ounce 15-pack cans across the United States.
Moosehead Pale Ale is a sessionable, top-fermented ale, 5% ABV. Made with 100% Canadian barley, Moosehead Pale Ale features floral aromatics and warm caramel notes.
Bud Light Orange, Bud Light Lime
Brewed with real orange and lime peels, Bud Light's Citrus portfolio is primed for Summer
Bud Light is expanding the brand's citrus portfolio with a refreshed Bud Light Lime and the addition of Bud Light Orange. Both light lagers are brewed with real lime and orange peels, and deliver a clean and crisp taste that highlights natural citrus flavors in every sip.
In a continued commitment to quality it was natural to incorporate real citrus peels into the brewing process and as always, consistently check quality and taste.
Beyond the consistent quality beer drinkers have come to appreciate with Bud Light, ensuring that consumer needs are being met continues to be of the utmost importance to the brand. That's why Bud Light has carefully analyzed the market. With the flavored beer segment on an uptick, citrus flavors now account for 84% of the overall flavored category. Beyond that, in the past five years, sales in the orange flavored beer category have grown to six times the size.
Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold
Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold is made with organic grains and offers a refreshing taste with only 85 calories and 2.5 carbs
Michelob ULTRA unveiled the newest innovation to join the ULTRA portfolio – Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold. Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold is made with organic grains and offers a refreshing taste with only 85 calories and 2.5 carbs. Like Michelob ULTRA, the new brew will be free from artificial colors and flavorings. The brand's sustainable efforts extend to the packaging, having received the Sustainable Forestry Initiative stamp of approval.
Puerto Rico's Award-Winning Beer, Medalla Light, Arrives to the Florida Market
Cervecera de Puerto Rico's flagship beer is available in over 200 establishments in the Sunshine State
Medalla Light, Puerto Rico's light beer brand, arrived in Florida this month ready to reconnect with its many fans in the Puerto Rican community, while making new ones among beer lovers from all backgrounds.
Award-winning Cervecera de Puerto Rico, which has crafted Medalla Light for 80 years, teamed up with Orlando-based Titan Products of Puerto Rico for wide distribution of the product in Florida. Titan's portfolio has more than 60 Puerto Rican brands, including Titan, La Aguadillana, Sofrito Montero, Marvel, Serranito, Indulac and Lotus juices.
Medalla Light is available at 60 Walmart stores and Walmart Neighborhood Supermarket, Sam's Club, Sedano's Supermarkets and Winn-Dixie stores across the Central Florida. It can also be found in selected establishments in South Florida and Jacksonville. Medalla Light is available in 10-ounce six can packs and 12 packs, and has 98 calories, three carbohydrates, and 4.2% alcohol per volume.
WINE
New Red Wine Infused with Cold Brew Coffee
Apothic Brew targets coffee and wine fans with new small-batch limited release
A wine brand known for challenging convention through its innovative blends, Apothic has created a one-of-a-kind wine infused with cold brew coffee labeled Apothic Brew.
Apothic Brew is a response to the growing demand for cold brew coffee in the United States, which grew a staggering 430% between 2015 and 2017.
Using more coffee grounds than traditional coffee and requiring a significantly longer and more delicate steep, cold brew coffee is smoother than its warmer counterparts. Cold brew's smooth texture and supple flavors come from the brew's temperature, which doesn't bring out bitter components of coffee grounds like hot water can. The result is a taste that captures the smooth mouthfeel and velvety chocolate notes of cold brew with the juicy blackberry characteristics of a dark red wine.
Available in limited quantities beginning in April, Apothic Brew can be served either at room temperature or slightly chilled.
House Wine Launches Limited-Edition Rainbow Bubbles Cans in Support of LGBTQ Equality
Benefiting the Human Rights Campaign from May 1 to August 31, House Wine stands behind its "Everyone's Welcome in Our House" motto by donating $2 per case of special cans sold
House Wine launched Limited-Edition Rainbow Rosé Bubbles cans to celebrate and support LGBTQ equality and love in all its forms. Between May 1 and August 31, House Wine will donate $2 for every case sold of the Rainbow Rosé Bubbles cans to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America's largest organization working for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer equality.
Can wine reigns as the fastest-growing packaging format in the wine category, with sales experiencing triple digit growth year after year. House Wine is one of the leaders of the 375-mL can format and it is thrilled to put its leading brand to raise awareness and funds for HRC.
The HRC represents a grassroots force of more than 3 million members and supporters working every day to make LGBTQ equality a reality. This is the first time House Wine has partnered with the HRC and Evans said she hopes to continue this impactful relationship for years to come.
House Wine Rainbow cans are an extension of House's new Rosé Bubbles, offered year-round in standard pink cans nationwide. The 375mL cans are line-priced at $5.99 per can, alongside everyday House Wine cans sold nationwide.
SPIRITS
Whip Saw Rye Whiskey
The mash bill is 77% rye 21% corn and 2% malted barley and the Rye is bottled at 90 proof
Splinter Group Spirits, producers of Straight Edge Bourbon Whiskey, Slaughter House American Whiskey and Partner Vermouth launched Whip Saw Rye Whiskey.
The newest addition to the portfolio is Whip Saw Rye Whiskey. Smooth, with rich vanilla, yet spicy, it's crafted from a blend of aged whiskeys, up to 7 years old, and finished in experienced French oak wine barrels using artesian water from an aquifer deep beneath the vineyards on Sonoma Valley's Moon Mountain. The mash bill is 77% rye 21% corn and 2% malted barley and the Rye is bottled at 90 proof. Whip Saw Rye Whiskey is blended by rye lovers and master winemakers Steve Matthiasson (Matthiasson Wines) and Bob Cabral (formerly Williams Selyem), the elite palates behind the rest of the range.
According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS), rye whiskey had the largest volume increase for any spirit category tracked (end-year 2015). Volume was up 19.5% adding to a six year stretch which has seen volume increase 662%, from 88,000 to 671,000 cases sold. Craft spirits as a whole continues to trend upward fueled by the continued popularity of cocktail culture.
www.thesplintergroupspirits.com
Stoli Cucumber
Stoli Cucumber will be sold with Tajín chile seasoning affixed to the bottle
Stoli® Vodka launched Stoli® Cucumber. The latest flavor from Stoli is crisp and clean on the palate with savory cucumber taste and a smooth finish.
Stoli Cucumber pairs well with mint, lemon and lime. Signature drinks include a Stoli Cucumber Spritz, Cucumber Martini, Cucumber Mule, and a Cucumber Bloody Mary. At various retail outlets, Stoli Cucumber will be sold with Tajín chile seasoning affixed to the bottle, providing a zesty garnish to coat the rims of glasses.
www.stoli.com
Humboldt's Finest
Craft Distillery Showcases Legal Cannabis-Infused Vodka Cocktail
Humboldt Distillery’s award-winning infused vodka is available in a growing number of markets across the country including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, Texas, and Wisconsin.
The infused vodka uses a locally grown hemp, whose domestic cultivation was only recently authorized with the passage of the 2014 United States Farm Bill. Hemp is the strain of cannabis grown for food, fiber and other industrial purposes. Hemp is distinguished from marijuana in that by law its THC content must be less than 0.3%. The hemp used for the vodka infusion is from some of the first legally grown crops in the country since prohibition.
Humboldt's Finest® is 80-proof and available in 750-ml bottles, with a suggested retail price of $29.99.
Ketel One Botanical
New vodka is distilled with real botanicals and infused with natural fruit essences
Crafted with the care and passion of 11th generation family distillers Carl Nolet Jr. and Bob Nolet, Ketel One Botanical is vodka distilled with real botanicals and infused with natural fruit and botanical essences. Made with 100% non-GMO grain, this first-of-its-kind 30% ABV spirit is a smooth, fresh-tasting drink with no carbs, no artificial flavors, no added sugars, no artificial sweeteners and only 73 calories (40% fewer calories than a glass of white wine3).
Ketel One Botanical launches as a series of three varietals in illustrated, botanical-inspired bottles: Peach & Orange Blossom, for those who enjoy lush, juicy white peaches and bold notes of fragrant orange blossoms; Cucumber & Mint, for those who appreciate crisp cucumbers and light tones of fresh garden mint; and Grapefruit & Rose, for those who seek zesty grapefruit and the refined elegance of rose petals.
The crafting of Ketel One Botanical starts with Ketel One Family-Made Vodka (made with 100% non-GMO grain) which is blended with the Nolet family's botanical recipe and re-distilled in small batch copper pot stills. The spirit is then infused with naturally-extracted essences of crisp, fragrant fruits and botanicals for a smooth, fresh-tasting drink.
Ketel One Botanical (30% ABV) is available nationwide beginning in May at local spirits retailer for a suggested retail price of $24.99 per 750ml bottle.
