Barbara Harfmann

Between Drinks

Goose Island, Chicago White Sox ink sponsorship deal

Sox Golden Ale official beer of team, available at retailers across Chicagoland

March 20, 2020

On a warm summer day, there’s nothing like a cold beer and baseball. As a longtime Chicago White Sox fan, I was beyond excited to attend my first Chicago WhiteSox Fest.

Up Close With

OWYN powers market with plant-based, vegan lineups

New 30G Elite RTD for post workout recovery to launch in June

Barbara Harfmann

March 12, 2020

As the demand for healthy, functional, performance-based beverages continue their upward trajectory, OWYN is literally “owning” its share of the marketplace through truth and transparency.

Dave Burwick, Jim Koch and Sam Calagione

Boston Beer Co. and Dogfish Head join forces

Diverse portfolio includes Samuel Adams, Twisted Tea and newly released Truly Lemonade Hard Seltzer

Barbara Harfmann

March 9, 2020

Just like The Force in the infamous ‘Star Wars’ franchise, The Boston Beer Co. and Dogfish Head Brewery, two iconic independent craft breweries founded in 1984 and 1995, respectively, are joining forces to take their brands to the next level.

Citromax lemons for beverage ingredients.

Domestic and exotic fruits exemplify health and flavor

Functional benefits expand use of sunny-tasting ingredients

Barbara Harfmann

February 20, 2020

Domestic and exotic fruits finding favor in the beverage market include lemon, lime, peach and strawberry, while up-and-coming exotic flavors include blood orange, passionfruit and guava.

Discount variety stores sustain modest 4 percent growth to 2019

Value-focused ALDI features easy store layout, less selection but cheaper prices

Barbara Harfmann

February 17, 2020

The discount retailer channel generated $87.4 billion in sales at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4 percent.

Coca-Cola roles out new energy drinks with help from Amazon Alexa

Alexa Coca-Cola Energy Wall uniquely serves up beverages before national launch

Barbara Harfmann

February 14, 2020

At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas (Jan. 7-10), The Coca-Cola Co. teamed up with Amazon Alexa to literally bring energy to the world’s largest consumer tech conference.

What beverage trends will be hot in 2020?

Blueberry named flavor of the year

Barbara Harfmann

January 14, 2020

To find out what 2020 holds for the beverage industry, a few market research firms weighed in on their upcoming top trends and predictions.

Performance, safety key to success of canning equipment

Quality control impacts diverse products on filling line

Barbara Harfmann

January 13, 2020

Today’s can fillers and seamers are doing more than ever before to hygienically fill diverse products.

Reusable packaging protects planet, improves bottom line

91 percent of plastic still not recycled

Barbara Harfmann

January 9, 2020

In an age where sustainability, recyclability and reusability are not just buzzwords to protect the earth, beverage manufacturers are “reading the signs” and stepping up their actions when it comes to reusing materials and reducing packaging waste.

2020 Beverage Bottler of the Year: Refreshment Services Inc. (RSI) Key West

Southern Pepsi bottler embodies ‘conch life’ through local servic

Barbara Harfmann

January 7, 2020

A privately held independent bottler of PepsiCo Inc., Refreshment Services Inc. (RSI) Key West has been quenching the thirst of residents and visitors for more than 51 years.