Amanda Del Buono

Inspired by less-traditional sports, like skateboarding, snowboarding and the X-Games, as well as the personality of energy drink brands, Roly Nesi, founder and chief executive officer of Huntington, N.Y.-based ROAR Beverages, was dedicated to changing the game in sports drinks in order to speak to a new generation of consumers.

Whether its coolers or wall clocks, branding on everyday items is not a new phenomenon; however, throughout the summer, an onslaught of beverage brands announced branded fashion items that consumers could either purchase or win.

Relaunching with a focus on made-from-scratch spirits, Milton, Del.-based Dogfish Head Distilling Co. aimed to provide a premium experience that also disrupts the craft spirits space when it introduced the first selections in its new spirits line, featuring Dogfish Head Analog Vodka, Dogfish Head Compelling Gin and Dogfish Head Whole Leaf Gin, it says.

Originally operating out of a 4,000-square-foot warehouse and running a fleet of three delivery trucks, Bronx, N.Y.-based Manhattan Beer Distributors has become one of the largest beer distributors in the United States.

As the number of label-reading consumers grows exponentially, beverage-makers that are looking to appeal to these consumers are launching botanical-based beverages in increasing numbers across various categories.

An increasing number of SKUs, changing packaging formats and sizes, and a growing interest in personalization are driving a constant need for faster production. Labeling equipment is one area that has felt the pressure from these trends, and the industry continues to innovate to provide beverage manufacturers with the fastest, most flexible machinery, experts say.

Although a tidal wave of new flavors have been flooding the market, staple flavors, like citrus, have held their ground, according to experts. The two most popular citrus options, lemon and orange, remain solid competitors against newer fruit entrants in the market.

As speed and efficiency become increasingly important in warehouse operations, the use of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and other autonomous vehicles continue to proliferate.

Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, the international music festival Lollapalooza, which makes a stop each year at Grant Park in Chicago, is an event that always has excited locals and drawn tourists from throughout the country.

Across the beverage market, the craft phenomenon seems to have made an impact. As the craft beer segment grows and more brands enter the market, craft brewers are utilizing secondary packaging as a means to stand out on the shelf and tell their stories, experts say.