Craft Distilling Conference showcases segment's growth
The American Distilling Institute's annual event provides insight into the burgeoning craft spirits niche.

Preston, Wash.-based TalkingRain Beverage Co. recently placed a focus on its Sparkling Ice enhanced water brand, which in turn has experienced a national surge. 

Similar to how superheroes like Spiderman and Batman have been known to blur the boundaries between advocates for justice and vigilantes, sports and protein drinks are transitioning from being separate categories to the emergence of one overall sports performance market, experts say. 

A person’s taste preferences might be affected by the region in which he or she lives, according to a 2009 University of Nottingham study.

 The 1980s commercial tagline: “Milk. It does a body good” helped to educate the American population about the health benefits of milk. However, the wellness-boosting nutrients found in milk, such as calcium and vitamin D, are not limited to what you find in the dairy aisle at the local grocery store.  

Following the debut of its new “No Bollocks” national advertising campaign, White Plains, N.Y.-based Heineken USA brand Newcastle Brown Ale launched its “No Bollocks Guarantee” summer retail program.

Caribou Coffee Co. Inc., Minneapolis, introduced six new all-natural sparkling teas and juices as well as 64-ounce growlers at its coffeehouses.

 Transporting cases, crates, kegs and additional point-of-sale items from warehouses and trucks into retailers often is a physically demanding task.  

 New solutions from Aleco, Big Ass Fans, Schneider Packaging and more. 

Beam Inc.’s Skinnygirl brand expanded upon its Margarita ready-to-serve cocktail with a new White Peach Margarita offering.

Koppla Nutrients launched Calm-fidence dietary supplement shots that were formulated to relieve stress and provide calm and focused energy, it says.

Spyru Inc. developed a line of same-named sports drinks derived from spirulina, a blue-green freshwater algae composed of nearly 70 percent protein.

Treasury Wine Estates launched a line of wines called Be., created to appeal to female millennial consumers, including those new to the wine category, the company says.