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Pittsburgh-based H.J. Heinz Co. and Northfield, Ill.-based Kraft Foods Group Inc. announced that they have signed a definitive merger agreement to form The Kraft Heinz Co., which would make the new company the third-largest food and beverage company in North America and the fifth largest in the world, the companies report. 

Although it might not look it outside, if you are in the Midwest or Northeast, summer isn’t too far away. In anticipation of summer activities and the food and beverages that accompany many of them, beverage-makers have started rolling out new products to complement the season. And it looks as though the readers of Beverage Industry are excited for some new summer flavors.

In Rabobank's new report about the U.S. brandy market, the New York-based financial services company identifies a clear market gap in what logically should be the segment’s strongest price segment — premium brands. Between the value, low-growth end of the brandy spectrum and the fast-growing, super-premium Cognac end, there is a potential opportunity for spirits companies to tap into the growing appetite for premium spirits among sophisticated, affluent U.S. consumers, it suggests.

Keurig Green Mountain Inc., Waterbury, Vt., released Keurig K-Mugpods. The pods brew a large travel mug-size of coffee through the company’s Keurig 2.0 brewing system. Keurig 2.0, which debuted in Fall 2014, is the first Keurig brewer with the ability to brew a single cup, a four-cup carafe, and now a travel-mug size of coffee.

Beverage Marketing Corp. (BMC), New York, and Technomic Inc., Chicago, announced a new strategic alliance between the two firms. Through this alliance, BMC and Technomic will provide unparalleled depth of market information to the ever-evolving beverage industry, its suppliers and advisers, the companies report.

Jones Soda Co., Seattle, announced its spring- and Easter-themed bottles, featuring the return of retired flavors: Pineapple Cream and Grape.

Heineken USA, White Plains, N.Y., unveiled BrewLock, its patented new on-premise technology that transforms the quality, consistency and environmentally sound delivery of draft beer, the company says. The BrewLock draft beer system is designed to consistently provide a freshly brewed beer taste in an easy-to-install format, it says.

Following last year’s launch of Sprite 6 Mix by LeBron James, the brand of Atlanta-based The Coca-Cola Co. and the NBA superstar have given the limited-edition flavor a new look and a new name: Sprite LeBron’s Mix.

Official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby to support Wounded Warrior Equestrian Program, Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund

As retailers, bars and restaurants see their fair share of green-clad consumers on March 17, they might be taking an informal tally of the most popular alcohol beverages purchased that day.