FI Fast Break audio news: June 5, 2024

The latest Food Institute news podcast provides an update on shipping rates related to diversions around the Red Sea.

Athletic Brewing – The King of NA Beer?

It comes down to how to make craft beer flavor and aroma become credible as a basic refreshment on occasions currently dominated by soft drinks. This is the real NA beverage battle the brand faces.

FI Fast Break audio news: Jan. 3, 2024

The latest weekly Food Institute news podcast touches on the United Arab Emirates’ first brewery in its history.

FI Fast Break audio news: Nov. 22, 2023

The latest Food Institute Fast Break news podcast touches on PepsiCo’s bold plans for its convenient foods items.

Analysis: Assessing Modelo Especial’s Ascent in America

For the first time, Mexican beer Modelo Especial recently became the top-selling beer in North America, surpassing Bud Light, which had been the number one beer for two decades. Modelo’s ascent in North America begs …

Play Ball! Inflation, Value & SNCKRmetrics at the Ballpark

Sixty to seventy percent of what is sold at the American ball park is standard stadium fare – hot dogs, peanuts, pretzels, and beer. In a year of inflation and supply chain havoc, can fans still afford the bare necessities for a day at the park?

How High Can No/Low-Alcohol Go?

No/low-alcoholic drinks are more ubiquitous than ever before. From every segment of the retail and restaurant beverage sectors, moderation is the name of the game.

Young Adults Embracing No- and Low-Alcohol Products

The low- and no-alcohol trend has only heated up in recent months, according to one industry expert.

Amid Labor Shortage, Michigan Allows Self-Service Alcohol Taps

After more than a decade of rapid growth, Starbucks is retrenching and closing several U.S. outlets due to security concerns.

Canned Cocktails Seen Growing on Convenience, Health Halo

Coca-Cola is teaming up with Jack Daniel’s distiller Brown-Forman to make a Jack-and-Coke cocktail in a can. The mashup is the latest development in the rapidly growing canned cocktail segment. In fact, the ready-to-drink cocktail …

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.

How Much Inflation Can Consumers Handle?

Inflation at the grocery store continues to rise — and consumers are noticing. In fact, the CPI food at home index rose 7.4 percent over the last 12 months, according to The Bureau of Labor …

Economist: Higher Costs Expected for Super Bowl Parties

What will the cost of your Super Bowl spread be this year? About 8% to 14% more than 2021, according to Wells Fargo’s inaugural Super Bowl Food Report— a light-hearted look at food and beverage …

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 …

National Dog Day: Food Companies Catering to Pets Like Never Before

As the calendar turns to National Dog Day, it’s apparent as ever that food and beverage companies are catering to pets these days. BEER BRANDS CATERING TO DOGS Is American beer going to the dogs? …

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 …

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 · …

Molson Coors Prioritizes Premium Beer, Splashes into Spirits

Molson Coors is mixing up its long game by eliminating eleven economy beers and launching a new line of whiskey. The moves align with the company’s recent shift towards portfolio premiumization, which has been led …

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, …

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% …

Food Industry in the Spotlight as Fourth of July Celebrations Return

Two-thirds of Americans plan to return to normal Independence Day celebrations this weekend, according to Numerator. So, as pandemic restrictions ease and Americans resume their Fourth of July traditions, The Food Institute takes a closer …

Outlook Bright for Non-Alcoholic Beverage Market

The mindful drinking movement has been gaining traction for several years, with “sober curious” consumers opting for no- or low- alternatives to reduce their alcohol intake.   Throughout the pandemic, demand for non-alcoholic beers, wines, and spirits increased, with consumers drinking most frequently while relaxing at …

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 …

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 …

Beverage Companies Lean into Health

Several beverage brands are launching new products that have a stronger focus on consumer health. PepsiCo is launching a new drink called Driftwell to aid sleep as consumers struggle with stress, reported CNBC (Sept. 14). …

Brewing Companies Move into Other Categories

Food Institute Focus – Brewing Companies Move into Other Categories