AB InBev Launches a Corona NA with 30% of Daily Vitamin D Need

Anheuser-Busch InBev has launched a truly innovative product in Canada– Corona Sunbrew 0.0%.  It’s the first non-alcoholic beer that contains Vitamin D.

Vitamin D is important — it helps our bodies absorb Calcium, helps protect us fom developing osteoporosis. Vitamin D deficiency has now been linked to breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, heart disease, depression, weight gain, and other maladies.

Vitamin D is important enough that your body makes it by itself — nu only after skin exposure to sunlight.  And if you live north of a line drawn from Los Angeles to Columbia, S.C., you don’t get enough sunlight for adequate Vitamin D production all year long.  It’s a special problem for dark-skinned people.

“After numerous and rigorous trials, Corona Sunbrew 0.0% proudly showcases our ability to find solutions, gaps, and opportunities for growth as a brand,” said Brad Weaver, Global Vice President of Innovation Research & Development for AB-InBev. “The journey was not easy as vitamin D is sensitive to oxygen and light, and not easily soluble in water. But thanks to our ongoing investment in innovation and research and development, our team was able to create the only non-alcoholic beer with vitamin D, providing a unique opportunity in the market.”

The idea didn’t originate with ABI, but with DAVID Miami, the brand’s creative agency. “Each detail of the project is special. From the product ideation to the final campaign. It’s not every day that we have the chance to present a product idea and have an innovative client like Corona buy, develop and take it to the next level. A true collaborative effort,” says Pancho Cassis, Global Chief Creative Officer at DAVID.

Corona Sunbrew 0.0% will be available to consumers in a few distinct phases. The global brand will first launch Corona Sunbrew 0.0% in Canada, precisely at the time of year where most Canadians experience limited sunlight, making it an ideal market to launch an innovation from a brand synonymous with the beach and celebrations outdoors.

Later this year, Corona will extend the non-alcoholic product offering in the UK followed by key markets across the rest of Europe, South America, and Asia.  We’ve asked Constellation Brands, which owns the brand in the U.S., if it will obtain a license for the product.

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Breakthru to Acquire Missouri’s Major Brands

Breakthru Beverage Group said it agreed to purchase Missouri-based Major Brands.  Terms weren’t disclosed. The move follows acquisition of a controlling interest in Major Brands by the Wirtz family, co=owners of Breakthry, in 2020.

The transaction is expected to be completed this spring.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for Breakthru to further solidify our standing in the Midwest. We have an ambitious growth agenda, and this move marks another step forward as we continue to seek opportunities across North America,” said Tom Bené, Breakthru Beverage Group President/CEO. “We intend to align our family-led businesses, embrace opportunities for innovation and build on Major Brands’ strong service, community and people-oriented culture to expand our relationships in Missouri.”

“Major Brands always has been about its people and the relationships we have built with our customers, suppliers and the communities we have served. We have aggressively defended the responsibilities with which the state has entrusted us. Breakthru’s acquisition of Major Brands now gives one of Missouri’s largest wholesale premium beverage alcohol distributors the added resources and capabilities of Breakthru’s outstanding team.  It will strengthen our position in the industry, while maintaining our values and commitment to community and culture,” said Sue McCollum, Major Brands CEO.

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NY Gov. Moves to Make Cocktails-To-Go Permanent

Cocktails-to-go should be permanent in New York State, Gov. Kathy Hochul said in her State-of-the-State address.

“This is great news for New York’s hard-hit hospitality industry, said Lisa Hawkins, semor vp-public affairs, Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S.   “Restaurants have a very challenging road ahead with the lingering pandemic and staffing shortages.  Recovery is going to take some time and making cocktails to-go permanent will provide these businesses with a stable revenue source as they begin to bounce back.

“Sixteen states plus the District of Columbia have made cocktails to-go permanent and 15 states have passed legislation to extend the measure long-term.  Legislators in these states have been extremely receptive to cocktails to-go because they recognize that restaurants help boost jobs and tourism, and generate important tax revenue for the state.”

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Demand for Non-Alc Grew in December, Remained High in January

Demand for non-alcoholic beverages, including non-alcohoic beers and “mocktails,” grew sharply in December 2019 and 2020, “then absolutely skyrocketed” in January, according to Pattern, a consultancy that tracks activity on Amazon.com.

Searches for “non-alcoholic” on Amazon gew 52% in 2021 from 2020, Pattern’s analysis found, with non-alcoholic spirits up 51%, non-alcoholic beer up 34%.   Pattern attempts to use demand for glassware — shot glasses, Martini glasses, etc. — to measure demand for alcoholic beverages, but we think that’s a reach and won’t report it.

“It’s clear more and more people are looking” to non-alcoholic beverages, Pattern says.  The consultancy found three companies in particular see “a particularly outsized lift in demand in January:” Seedlip (NA Spirits), demand up 67% compared to the average for the rest of the year, Kin Euphorics ( NA spirits), up 38%, and Fre Wine up 29%.

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Lack of Proxies Leads Eastside Distilling to Cancel Special Meeting

The Special Meeting has been postponed until 2 p.m. Pacific Time Feb. 8 to allow additional time for the Company’s stockholders to vote on a plan to issue  common stock purchase warrants to purchase up to 900,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price equal to $3.00 per share.

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Truly Intros New Margarita-Inspired Flavors

Truly Margarita Style Hard Seltzer comes in four flasorss — Classic Lime, Strawberry Hibiscus, Watermelon Cucumber and Mango Chili.   They are available nationwide.  Each flavor is made with real ingredients including lime juice concentrate, agave nectar and sea salt, and is 5.3% ABV, 110 calories, 1g sugar and gluten free.

“With the Truly Margarita styles, we wanted to marry everything drinkers love about hard seltzer with the flavors of a classic margarita,” said Casey O’Neill, Director of Product Development at the Boston Beer Company. “The margarita is such a beloved, iconic cocktail and we’re excited to bring it to life in a fun, new way.”

The margarita is so beloved, in fact, that it’s the number one cocktail featured on menus[1] in bars and restaurants across the country. In just eight months, the Truly product development team tested more than 100 recipes to find the best of both the hard seltzer and margarita worlds, giving drinkers a new way to enjoy refreshing margarita-inspired flavors while imbibing at their favorite establishment or hanging out with friend

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