Going willy nilly 

Craft brewery Alpine Beer Co.introduced its fan-favorite Willy VanillyAle to consumers nationwide in 12-ounce glass bottles. A vanilla-spiced American wheat ale, Willy Vanilly previously was a draft-only offering exclusively served in the Alpine Beer Co. tasting room and restaurant in San Diego. Willy Vanilly now will be sold as a year-round beer in six-packs across the country, the company says. Brewmaster Patrick McIllhenney added vanilla to enhance the flavors in the company’s mildly-hopped American Wheat Ale, Willy. In doing so, McIllhenney was hoping to develop a gateway” beer for those just beginning to explore the world of craft beer, but found that the balanced flavor profile of Willy Vanilly appeals to craft beer aficionados and novices alike, it adds.

Changing faces 

Hansen’s and Blue Sky sodas have relaunched with new branding and fresh packaging. Hansen’s Sodas packaging now features a throwback logo and glass packaging that nods to the brand’s 40-year-old roots in Southern California, along with a new tag line, “This is What Original Tastes Like.” Blue Sky Sodas unveiled new branding and a new tag line, “Rooted in Real.”

Cracking open relaxation

In conjunction with a major rebranding effort, Marley Beverage Co. released all-new, redesigned packaging to reflect the premium, high-quality formulations inside, it says. The company revamped the packaging for its Mellow Mood line, replacing the glass bottles that were previously used and introducing more sustainable,  16-ounce aluminum cans. The new packaging features the company’s new corporate medallion, which incorporates an illustration of a youthful, spirited portrait of Bob Marley, which was provided by the Marley family and interpreted by millennial artist Miles Tsang, the company says. The illustration conjures a sense of purity and vigor reflecting the ingredients inside the can and Bob Marley’s passion for life, the company says. Additionally, the new logo redesign includes a wave-like motion, representing the positive energy that generations of consumers associate with Bob Marley’s legacy as well as the beverage’s relaxation functionality, it adds.

They need more dolphins

In partnership with Republic National Distributors, Wicked Dolphin Distillery announced it is releasing a new line of larger-sized bottles, which will offer consumers greater value, it says. Consumers can find four Wicked Dolphin rum varietals — Crystal, Coconut, Gold and Black — packaged in 750-ml, 1- and 1.75-liter bottles at several retailers,  including ABC, Publix, Total Wines & Spirits, Winn Dixie, and more, the company says. “Now that our volume has grown, we are able to compete with the larger foreign brands,” said JoAnn Elardo, founder of Wicked Dolphin, in a statement. “Now you can purchase a larger size, award-winning handcrafted Florida rum at a greater value.”

Truly varied selection

The Boston Beer Co.’s Truly Spiked & Sparkling spiked sparkling water brand announced the launch of a new variety 12-pack of slim cans. The variety pack includes four cans of each of the line’s three flavors: Colima Line, Grapefruit & Pomelo, and Pomegranate. Made with simple ingredients and no artificial flavors or sweeteners, Truly Spiked & Sparkling contains 100 calories and 2 grams of carbohydrates in each 12-ounce can. The variety packs are available  year-round for a suggested retail price of $15.99.

Enough for one 

Mocktails Brand Alcohol-Free Cocktails, a line of all-natural, ready-to-drink mock-cocktails, revealed its new look nationwide, which included the launch of single-serve bottles and new labels. The new Mocktails Brand label adds a level of sophistication in a fresh, clean way, the company says. It features an improved logo, which emphasizes that the beverage is alcohol-free and low-calorie, it adds. The new single-serve size bottles are available in four-packs of 6.8-ounce bottles and also feature the brand’s new look.

They say it’s your birthday

Jones Soda Co. released a Birthday Party-themed variety pack featuring its limited-edition Birthday Cake flavor. To celebrate Jones Soda’s 20^th birthday, the limited-edition flavor was part of a year-long celebration, while the variety pack exclusively is available at Sam’s Club locations in select states, retailing for $9.98. The 12-pack of 12-ounce bottles contains three bottles of four flavors: Birthday Cake, Green Apple, Berry Lemonade and Cream Soda flavors. "With continued success of the Jones Birthday Cake flavor, we are happy to offer our first variety pack with this flavor in time for the summer and birthday party celebration season,” said Chad Kennedy, senior vice president of sales, in a statement. “This makes for a truly unique pack for birthday celebrations that we are pleased to offer through one of our great retail partners.”