Alcohol Outlook: Gen Z Pregaming and Exploring New Flavors

City National Bank’ Steve Ramirez and RBC Capital Markets’ Nik Modi discuss the alcohol outlook for beer, wine, and spirits.

A Closer Look at Alcoholic Beverage Trends

Steve Ramirez is a Vice President and Relationship Manager with City National Bank’s food and beverage group. Based in Los Angeles, he provides cash flow, asset-based lending, real estate and equipment financing expertise to family …

A Clear-Headed Look at the ‘Sober Curious’ Movement

The term “sober curious” has become part of the national lexicon in recent months. What is it, exactly? “Sober curious” is a social wellness movement that involves self-selecting out of alcohol consumption at times, without …

3 Key Takeaways from New York’s Recent Wine Industry Events

In a strong sign that the COVID pandemic is (finally) on its wane, two important wine events, Vinexpo and La Paulee, took place in New York City recently, after a nearly 2-year hiatus. Judging by …

Inflation, Supply Chain Creating Rare Challenges in Champagne World

To say that the champagne world is a bit “off-kilter” these days would be a significant understatement. The Financial Times reported in late December that retail champagne prices (especially vintage champagne) had increased 30% in …

FI Small Bites: Top Drink Trends of 2022

With a new year comes new insights into consumers’ habits, and that’s especially true for the beverage industry. Check out the Food Institute’s latest Small Bites video, where we go over the top anticipated drink …

What would a Monster-Constellation Merger Mean?

Energy drink-maker Monster Beverage Corp and Constellation Brands Inc., which brews Corona beer, are reportedly in talks for a possible merger. What would a Monster-Constellation mash-up mean? Jameson Sharp, investment group partner and analyst with …

Supply Chain Update: Port Negotiations, Omicron Variant and Trucker Shortage

Amid surging inflation and a new coronavirus variant, here’s an update on what’s happening across the supply chain. LABOR TALKS AT WEST COAST PORTS West Coast port facility operators will open negotiations with the International …

Barbecue Is a Smokin’ Hot Global Taste Trend

Barbecue is red-hot worldwide, according to new research from Irish food company Kerry. “It’s clear that people and cultures intersect on the general topic of open-fire cooking,” said Soumya Nair, Kerry’s global director of consumer …

The Rising Influence of Professional Wine Ratings

Editor’s note: Part 3 of a three-part series analyzing the current state of the wine industry. With the strong increase in online wine sales in recent years has come an equally significant increase in the …

Supply Chain Inspiring Rising Concerns in Wine World

Editor’s note: Part 2 of a three-part series analyzing the current state of the wine industry. The effects of supply chain disruptions in the global food industry are well-known and easy to identify: low inventories, …

What’s Driving Retail Alcohol Sales?

Retail alcohol sales are significantly higher than 2019 levels. According to a report recently published by Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, during the worst months of the COVID pandemic (March-September 2020), U.S. alcohol …

Survey: Gen Z Drawn to Cannabis Products  

A new survey signals that marijuana is competing with alcohol for Gen Z’s dollars. Technomic’s recent Adult Beverage Planning Program report shows that, in states where recreational cannabis is legal, nearly two-thirds (65%) of Gen …

Whole Foods Unveils Top 10 Food Trends for 2022

Whole Foods Market’s Trends Council unveiled its seventh annual top 10 anticipated food trends for 2022. “Last year, we saw tremendous pandemic-related shifts in grocery buying habits as the world adjusted to spending more time …

Delivery Landscape Changing as DoorDash, Rivals Go All in on Alcohol

As major companies are turning to alcohol delivery, they’ll face more regulation in New York City and perhaps beyond. Here’s a closer look at the issues at play: FOOD DELIVERY EXPANDS INTO ALCOHOL DELIVERY Food …

GUEST COLUMN: 5 Predictions for the Wine World

What will the post-pandemic future hold for wine retailers? The global wine sector is large and highly fragmented, so it’ll take some time to fully measure and understand COVID’s impact on the segment. For wine …

Hard Cider Could Be the Next Big Thing for the Alcoholic Beverage Market

With signs of the beer industry slowing and hard seltzer fizzling out, what’s the next big thing for the alcoholic beverage market? It might be hard cider. Made from the fermented juice of apples, hard …

FI Fast Break audio news: Aug. 11, 2021

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we examine how consumers are stocking their pantries due to the Delta variant, the restaurant industry’s recovery, and more. The Food Institute Podcast · FI …

Do the Dew (Responsibly, of Course): Boston Beer, PepsiCo Partner on Mountain Dew Drink

One of America’s favorite sodas is getting a boozy makeover. The Boston Beer Company and PepsiCo are teaming up to produce an alcoholic version of Mountain Dew called HARD MTN DEW. The new drink will …

FI Fast Break audio news: Aug. 4, 2021

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we examine Kroger’s unique new ghost kitchen setup, how restaurants are addressing wage “compression,” and the dwindling American beer market. The Food Institute Podcast · …

What’s Brewing with U.S. Beer Makers? COVID-Related Shifts

With the rise of hard seltzer and other low-cal alcohol options, Americans seem to be drinking less beer, and U.S. producers are making less of it. Boston Beer Co. the maker of Samuel Adams beer, …

Hard Seltzer Market Could Be Softening  

The hard seltzer market may be falling on hard times. While it may not seem that long ago that beverages like Truly Hard Seltzer were a highlight of many summer get-togethers, the popularity of the …

DTC Delivery, New Flavors Key to Alcohol Growth

The pandemic, revision of direct-to-consumer delivery laws, and development of new flavors helped lift U.S. distilled spirits consumption in 2020, but it was unclear whether the trend would hold. IWSR reported consumption was up 2% …

Spurred by Innovation, Beverage Market Making Waves in 2021

U.S. beverage demand is forecast to increase 2.9% yearly in nominal terms through 2025, as income rises and the population grows, according to Beverages: United States, a report by Freedonia Focus Reports. Here’s a look at which …

Cinco de Mayo 2021 Highlights Thriving Avocado Market

Nothing says Cinco de Mayo like tacos and guacamole, and this year avocados appear to be plentiful – at least in the near term. Some 100 million Americans are expected to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, …

Alcohol Industry Innovating Like Never Before

With Memorial Day around the corner and signs of the pandemic easing, the alcoholic beverage industry is gearing up for summer and beyond. Here are some recent highlights and innovations from the sector. Champagne sales are popping Whether it’s for meeting up with friends and loved ones in person or …

Why is Hard Seltzer So Popular with Consumers?

Anheuser-Busch is boosting production of its latest hard seltzer offering after the beverage, developed alongside rapper Travis Scott, saw furious demand. The drink — called Cacti Agave Spiked Seltzer — launched earlier this week, reported CNBC …

7-Eleven Adjusts, Pushes for On-Site Alcohol Consumption in Ontario Amid Pandemic

Just like grocery stores and restaurants have changed operational strategies during the pandemic, so have convenience stores. Whether it’s selling more ready-to-eat and heat-and-eat foodservice items to make a dent in lower gasoline sales or …

Revisiting the No- and Low-Alcohol Beverage Market Ahead of St. Patrick’s Day

COVID-19 restrictions on parades, parties and pub crawls will likely dim the mood of many this St. Patrick’s Day. For the producers of no- and low-alcohol beverages, however, spirits remain high with a veritable pot …

Distillers Raise Their Glasses to At-Home Spirits Growth

With the pandemic keeping consumers away from restaurants, bars and other establishments, the growth in at-home alcohol consumption continues. When the pandemic began, Americans turned to convenient, familiar alcohol and bought name brand items in …

Restaurants Look to Government for Guidance

Restaurants across the U.S. are resuming operations in accordance with guidelines to ensure health and safety and patrons and employees. However, states, cities, and counties have different requirements for operating during the pandemic. In New …

Foods with Emphasis on Wellness to Dominate 2020

Food Institute Focus – Foods with Emphasis on Wellness to Dominate 2020