Content about Alcohol

May 9, 2013

Cider may be the most exciting new segment in the beer category. A recent report from Mintel indicated that in the United Kingdom, the market penetration of cider is now equal to lager.

Cider may be the most exciting new segment in the beer category. A recent report from Mintel indicated that in the United Kingdom, the market penetration of cider is now equal to lager.

March 19, 2013

Craft brewers saw a 15% rise in volume and a 17% increase in dollar growth, the Brewers Association said today as they released preliminary 2012 data on U.S. craft brewing growth ahead of the Craft Brewers Conference to be held in Washington, D.C., March 26 to 29.

BOULDER, Colo. — Craft brewers saw a 15% rise in volume and a 17% increase in dollar growth, the Brewers Association said today as they released preliminary 2012 data on U.S. craft brewing growth ahead of the Craft Brewers Conference to be held in Washington, D.C., March 26 to 29. The trade association representing small and independent American brewers estimated these findings represented a total barrel increase of almost 1.8 million.

February 25, 2013

Hy-Vee's new store in Overland Park, Kan., will include a beer and wine bar, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Hy-Vee's new store in Overland Park, Kan., will include a beer and wine bar, according to published reports.

The Kansas City Star reported that the company's new store would be the first in the Kansas City, Mo., area to offer such a bar and one of the few in the country to do so.

Many of Hy-Vee's newest stores throughout the Midwest already include sushi bars, cafes and other food-service venues in addition to traditional supermarket products and services.

 

February 6, 2013

Wine and liquor next year may be available for sale in retail outlets, including pharmacy, across Pennsylvania.

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Wine and liquor next year may be available for sale in retail outlets, including pharmacy, across Pennsylvania. 

Pa. Gov. Tom Corbett on Tuesday submitted the spending plan for the 2013/2014 state budget, which includes a provision to replace the more than 600 state liquor stores with twice as many privately run liquor and wine stores, according to an AP report published Tuesday by the Patriot News

November 7, 2012

Liquor can cost $2 more at liquor stores in states where the government has a monopoly on sales than at privately owned stores, according to a new study.

NEW YORK — Liquor can cost $2 more at liquor stores in states where the government has a monopoly on sales than at privately owned stores, according to a new study.

Researchers at Boston University School of Public Health, the Boston Medical Center and Johns Hopkins University analyzed the prices of 74 different alcohol brands in 13 "control states" — states where the government has a monopoly on liquor sales — and at 50 private retailers in "license states." The study appeared online in the journal Addiction.

September 5, 2012

Heineken USA has launched its Tecate Michelada beverage in the United States.

NEW YORK — Heineken USA has launched its Tecate Michelada beverage in the United States.

Tecate Michelada follows the same traditional brewing process of Tecate to the master brewer's exact specifications, the company said. The beer then is carefully blended with the taste of lime, spices and a hint of chili pepper to create a bold flavored beer mix with a deep golden color. Tecate Michelada can be enjoyed cold, straight from the can or poured over ice, into a traditional goblet-style glass with a salted rim.

June 21, 2012

The beer category wants its mojo back. After losing share to wine, spirits and small breweries for several years, major brewers are out to win consumers back to the category with new products that are a big departure from their classic offerings.

The beer category wants its mojo back. After losing share to wine, spirits and small breweries for several years, major brewers are out to win consumers back to the category with new products that are a big departure from their classic offerings.

The success of Bud Light Platinum, with its higher alcohol content and sweeter taste, has sparked a flurry of flavored malt beverages into the beer market. This year alone, Anheuser-Busch InBev is launching nearly 20 new products to the U.S. market.

June 21, 2012

A new study conducted by Denmark researchers revealed that low to moderate alcohol consumption during the early stages of pregnancy may not be as dangerous as previously thought.

NEW YORK — A new study conducted by Denmark researchers revealed that low to moderate alcohol consumption during the early stages of pregnancy may not be as dangerous as previously thought.

June 6, 2012

Some people in Washington state may be having "buyer's remorse" over the privatization of liquor sales there, which took effect last week, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Some people in Washington state may be having "buyer's remorse" over the privatization of liquor sales there, which took effect last week, according to published reports.

February 29, 2012

Budweiser is letting consumers trace the origins of its beer to one of the company's 12 U.S. breweries through a new digital campaign that is integrated with Budweiser beer packaging.

ST. LOUIS — Budweiser is letting consumers trace the origins of its beer to one of the company's 12 U.S. breweries through a new digital campaign that is integrated with Budweiser beer packaging.

January 4, 2012

Craft beers — particularly seasonals — have provided much-needed innovation to the beer category, providing the category with double-digit sales increases for the last several years.

Craft beers — particularly seasonals — have provided much-needed innovation to the beer category, providing the category with double-digit sales increases for the last several years. Craft brews’ sales were up 16.2% for the 52 weeks ended in early October 2011, according to the Brewers Association. While craft brews represent 4.9% of total beer category volume, the segments accounts for 7.6% of retail dollar volume.

December 7, 2011

The state government of Washington is set to bow out of the liquor business on June 1 thanks to a ballot initiative that passed last month, but two labor unions are hoping to stop it, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — The state government of Washington is set to bow out of the liquor business on June 1 thanks to a ballot initiative that passed last month, but two labor unions are hoping to stop it, according to published reports.

December 5, 2011

Bootlegging, debauching and murdering its way through the second season, HBO’s Prohibition-themed series “Boardwalk Empire” has dramatized an era alien to its viewers but whose vestiges have remained in much of the country.


Bootlegging, debauching and murdering its way through the second season, HBO’s Prohibition-themed series “Boardwalk Empire” has dramatized an era alien to its viewers but whose vestiges have remained in much of the country.


November 30, 2011

A new line of 100-calorie cocktails has hit store shelves.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A new line of 100-calorie cocktails has hit store shelves.

International Spirits said its Ivana B Skinny cocktails are wine-based cocktails that are available in margarita, cosmopolitan and appletini flavors. Each cocktail features 10% alcohol and less than 100 calories per 5-oz. serving.

November 10, 2011

Anheuser-Busch InBev announced that it is expanding its Bud Light portfolio with what it is calling "a trendy blue-bottle line extension."

BRUSSELS — Anheuser-Busch InBev announced that it is expanding its Bud Light portfolio with what it is calling "a trendy blue-bottle line extension."

The company said that Bud Light Platinum appeals to a key group of beer drinkers and expands consumer occasions and that the introduction is part of the company's plan to accelerate growth of Bud Light in the United States.

Bud Light Platinum is expected to roll out in Jan. 2012.

October 4, 2011

After the Federal Trade Commission charged the maker of an alcoholic, carbonated malt beverage with deceptive advertising, the company has agreed to make changes to its product's packaging.

WASHINGTON — After the Federal Trade Commission charged the maker of an alcoholic, carbonated malt beverage with deceptive advertising, the company has agreed to make changes to its product's packaging.

September 7, 2011

Phusion Projects, the maker of Four Loko flavored malt beverages, has introduced a new product that comes in a smaller can size with lower alcohol by volume.

CHICAGO — Phusion Projects, the maker of Four Loko flavored malt beverages, has introduced a new product that comes in a smaller can size with lower alcohol by volume.

Unlike Four Loko, which comes in 23.5-oz. cans and contains up to 12.5% alcohol by volume, Poco Loko is available in 16-oz. cans at 8% ABV, Phusion Projects said. Poco Loko, which comes in green apple, black cherry, mango and lemonade varieties, does not contain caffeine, guarana or taurine.

August 15, 2011

Seagram's has introduced a line of fruity malt beverages that now are available nationwide.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Seagram's has introduced a line of fruity malt beverages that now are available nationwide.

New Seagram's Smooth, available in classic lemonade, tea lemonade and mango, limeade and pomegranate lemon varieties, offers consumers premium flavored drinks with zero aftertaste, the company said.

Seagram’s Smooth has 5% alcohol by volume and is available in 12-count and 24-count variety packs.

August 4, 2011

Budweiser has redesigned its can and secondary packaging, which will make its debut in the U.S. market before rolling out worldwide.

ST. LOUIS — Budweiser has redesigned its can and secondary packaging, which will make its debut in the U.S. market before rolling out worldwide.

The new can and secondary packaging that shows off Budweiser's iconic bowtie, complemented by the Budweiser creed and Anheuser-Busch medallion. This marks the 12th can redesign since 1936.

August 3, 2011

A recent Gallup poll found that more U.S. drinkers ages 18 to 24 years favor wine and beer as their alcoholic beverages of choice.

PRINCETON, N.J. — A recent Gallup poll found that more U.S. drinkers ages 18 to 24 years favor wine and beer as their alcoholic beverages of choice.

According to a survey of 1,016 adults, 64% of U.S. adults reported that they consume alcohol. Among those respondents, 35% named wine as their drink of choice, while 36% said they preferred to drink beer, a drop from 41% in 2010. Only 23% said they preferred to drink liquor.

April 11, 2011

Pabst Brewing has expanded its Colt 45 brand with a fruit-flavored beverage.

WOODRIDGE, Ill. — Pabst Brewing has expanded its Colt 45 brand with a fruit-flavored beverage.

Blast, a malt liquor made with real fruit juice, is available in strawberry watermelon, raspberry lemonade, blueberry pomegranate and grape flavors. The beverage comes in 23.5-oz. cans, as well as a 7-oz. bottle.

In line with the launch, Blast has tapped rapper Snoop Dogg as its brand ambassador.

February 24, 2011

The Spaniards drink Rioja wine with a hearty “Salud!,” while the Irish knock back Jameson whiskey and Guinness beer with “Slainte.” Nobody can say who coined the two calls to imbibe, both of which mean “health,” but according to two recent studies, it looks as though they were on to something.

NEW YORK — The Spaniards drink Rioja wine with a hearty “Salud!,” while the Irish knock back Jameson whiskey and Guinness beer with “Slainte.” Nobody can say who coined the two calls to imbibe, both of which mean “health,” but according to two recent studies, it looks as though they were on to something.

February 22, 2011

Forgiven Bottling Group launched its hangover product Forgiven, a vitamin B1 supplement the company claims helps metabolize alcohol.

LAS VEGAS — Forgiven Bottling Group launched its hangover product Forgiven, a vitamin B1 supplement the company claims helps metabolize alcohol.

“Forgiven is the first and only alcohol burner available to the consumer seeking a healthy solution to sober quickly when the night is over,” stated Chas Aday, CEO of Forgiven Bottling Group.

One packet of Forgiven will retail for a suggested $3.99, the company reported.

February 18, 2011

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Supreme Court in December ruled in favor of Wegmans and supermarkets across the state over whether or not the grocers could sell beer on their premises — the ruling expands what many consider to be the most restrictive alcohol distribution laws in the country. 


In Pennsylvania, beer can be purchased only from a restaurant/bar or beer distributor. Beer distributors can sell only by the case or keg, while restaurants and bars cannot sell more than 16 12-oz. beers per purchase. 


January 12, 2011

Supermarket wine kiosks are being reintroduced into the Pennsylvania market in the coming week after being taken offline in the days before Christmas, according to a report published Monday in the Beaver County Times, a newspaper based in Beaver County and northwest of Pittsburgh.

BEAVER, Pa. — Supermarket wine kiosks are being reintroduced into the Pennsylvania market in the coming week after being taken offline in the days before Christmas, according to a report published Monday in the Beaver County Times, a newspaper based in Beaver County and northwest of Pittsburgh.