From the ever-increasing array of antioxidant-rich “superfruits” to stevia and — gasp! — the return of sugar, the following ingredients are topping beverage formulation trends and consumer headlines.

Jean-Charles Boisset, president of Boisset Family Estates, says audacity is a word he loves. That bold spirit is evident in his company’s innovative lineup of wine brands such as French Rabbit, Louis Bernard, Mommessin and Yellow Jersey, packaged in everything from Tetra Pak Prisma cartons to aluminum bottles, bag-in-box and PET.

The U.S. beverage container industry is an estimated $22.5 billion business.

Uncle Matt’s Organic, Clermont, Fla., started with three acres of orange groves in Founder and Chief Executive Officer Matt McLean’s father’s backyard. As the company celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, Uncle Matt’s Organic now boasts 1,000 acres that are capable of producing organic citrus between McLean-family holdings and 15 other groves the company manages.

Although athletes are the long-standing target consumers of sports drinks, more companies are broadening their options to meet the demands of “everyday athletes.”

Sometimes a package needs a little tweak here and there to stay fresh; other times it requires a complete overhaul.

To promote innovative flavor development, Givaudan conducts ongoing TasteTreks to bring its flavorists to countries all around the world to experience exotic foods, be inspired by nature, and to discover new flavors, molecules and ingredients.

The decline in disposable personal income this year has led consumers to make budget cuts, and the on-premise industry is one area feeling the belt tightening.

Domestic beer continued its recovery in 2008, thanks in large part to a renewal of mainstream brands, as well as growth in the craft segment.

This year, The Pike Brewing Co., Seattle, will celebrate its 20th anniversary with the release of Entire, a stout aged in bourbon barrels. Specialty beers like Entire offer a classic example of what the family-owned brewery is all about: “We just want to develop a really high-quality brewery,” says Charles Finkel, president and founder of the brewery.