Consumers are increasingly looking for functionality in their beverages. Beverage manufacturers are developing products that will appeal to consumers’ needs and wants including health, strength, energy and relaxation.

Casks, oak-barrel aging and complex full-bodied flavor is synonymous with wine. But craft brewers are changing that. Today, craft beer brewers are doing more with exotic ingredients and time-honored processes typically reserved for grapes.

Remember when nothing said summer like sitting on Grandma's porch and sipping a tall glass of ice-cold lemonade? The pure sourness and simple ingredients made taste buds dance.

Consumers are becoming more interested in the quality and nutritional benefits of the beverages and foods they are choosing. Fiber, in particular, is becoming a popular wellness ingredient because consumers are aware of its multifaceted benefits, especially for digestive health.

When observing the actions of children, it might not be uncommon for adults to remark, “I wish I had that much energy.” Athletes also can be inspiring figures in relation to knowing how to maintain higher energy levels. In the beverage market, sports and energy drink brand owners commonly have turned to these athletes as brand ambassadors for their products.

Health concerns are a major issue for many people. The United States’ first lady Michelle Obama has headed up the Let’s Move program to educate consumers about “America’s Move to Raise a Healthier Generation of Kids.” Her efforts also have led to trying to get more adults and children involved in healthier food and beverage choices.

An estimated 5.2 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, and although the majority are older than 65, younger-onset Alzheimer’s impacted 200,000 people last year, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, Chicago.

If the groundhog’s ability to predict the end of winter held true on an annual basis, it would make planning the last six weeks of winter much easier for many people. Although not as temperamental as the weather, many beverage-makers probably wish they had an ability to see into the beverage market future to predict the latest trends.

Whether it’s from your family physician or it’s used as a tag line in a national commercial, many consumers have heard the phrase, “You are what you eat.”

Color symbolism can take on many different meanings in different cultures or even within the same culture.