March 2014 Issue | Beverage Industry

The March 2014 Beverage Industry includes a cover story on F.X. Matt Brewing Co., as well as articles about wine blends, rebranding, and more. Don't forget to check out the 2014 U.S. Beer Category Report, as well.

F.X. Matt Brewing Co. celebrates 125 years in business

Craft brewer overcomes Prohibition, recessions, and a fire in its more than a century in business

Stephanie Cernivec

March 10, 2014

Back in the late ‘50s and ‘60s, talking beer stein characters Schultz and Dooley promoted the mellow taste and naturalness of Utica Club lager in TV commercials. At the time, the brand was a strong regional competitor produced in Utica, N.Y., by West End Brewing Co., which is known today as F.X. Matt Brewing Co.

Wine blends offer craft beverage appeal

Wine consumers trading up to premium red, white wine brands

Stephanie Cernivec

March 10, 2014

In recent years, the beverage industry has seen craft beers and — even more recently — craft spirits increase in popularity.

Hard cider draws in consumers from outside the beer category

Gluten-free aspects appeal to health-conscious consumers

Jessica Jacobsen

March 10, 2014

When it comes to the overall alcohol market, manufacturers not only are analyzing their own brand sales but also the respective categories in which they compete. For the beer category, hard ciders are offering consumers an entry point into this multibillion dollar industry, experts note.

Craft brewers' sales growth continues

Seasonals, IPAS and craft beer variety packs lead growth

Jessica Jacobsen

March 10, 2014

Although craft beer case and dollar sales came in at a distant third to domestics and imports during the 52 weeks ending Dec. 29, 2013, in Information Resources Inc. (IRI)-measured channels, the burgeoning segment is making strides to garner more of that market share.

Mexican beers dominate imported beer growth

Dos Equis', Corona's aggressive marketing connects with fans

Jennifer Storelli

March 10, 2014

As the economy stabilizes, consumers are trading up for the premium beer offerings available through the imported beers segment, says Edward Hyseh, U.S. research analyst for Euromonitor International, Chicago.

Bud Light 'Ritas,' Redd's line extensions support FMB growth

Consumers drawn to sweeter flavor profiles

Jennifer Storelli

March 10, 2014

Appealing mostly to female consumers and younger consumers of legal drinking age (LDA), the flavored malt beverages (FMBs) — also known as progressive adult beverages (PABs) — segment of the beer market brings in a slightly different demographic than the typical beer drinker, says Jeff Nowicki, chief strategy officer at Bump Williams Consulting Co., Stratford, Conn.

Domestic beer case sales decline

Super-premium beer segment shows potential

Stephanie Cernivec

March 10, 2014

The beer category, which includes domestic beer, imported beer, craft beer, hard cider and flavored malt beverages, has mostly remained flat or suffered minimal declines in off-premise accounts in recent years, according to market research firms.

Good2grow appeals to kids, parents through animated characters

Jennifer Storelli

March 10, 2014

“We know through all of our research … that a kid is not [just] a kid,” says Carl Sweat, chief marketing officer of In Zone Brands Inc., Atlanta.

In Zone Brands rebrands as good2grow

New branding positions juice company to grow into other beverage categories

Jennifer Storelli

March 10, 2014

Growing up from its former TummyTickler and BellyWashers kids juice brands, In Zone Brands Inc., Atlanta, combined the sibling brands into one and rebranded them under the universal brand name good2grow. The result is a better-for-you juice brand that incorporates lessons learned from the company’s more than 12 years of experience in the market.

F.X. Matt Brewing Co. adds equipment to maximize craft beer quality

Craft brewer plans to expand pilot brewery to promote craft beer experimentation

Stephanie Cernivec

March 10, 2014

Upon entering the century-old F.X. Matt Brewing Co. offices in Utica, N.Y., visitors are greeted with Victorian-era furnishings, including an old bank teller counter with a slanted bottom to accommodate women’s hoop skirts. Historic furnishings like this continue throughout the 400,000-square-foot campus. However, despite its historical appearance, the facility offers many modern touches.

Brewers Association to host 31st annual Craft Brewers Conference

Craft Brewers Conference, BrewExpo America expected to attract 7,000 attendees

March 14, 2014

The Brewers Association will host the 31st edition of its Craft Brewers Conference (CBC) & BrewExpo America from April 8 to 11 in Denver.

Beer brands support hoop dreams during March Madness

MillerCoors to donate $75,000 to revamp community basketball courts

Jennifer Storelli

March 14, 2014

As college basketball fans gear up for March Madness, beverage brands are using their marketing power to bring other hoop dreams to life.

New equipment offers additional beverage product protection

Beverage operations suppliers release new equipment, software

March 14, 2014

KHS developed the new, horizontally arranged Feedflow feed module for conveying very light preforms to its InnoPET Blomax stretch blow molder.

SKU proliferation demands flexibility from beverage mixing equipment

Operators can utilize processing automation data to increase efficiency

Jennifer Storelli

October 9, 2014

As brands expand their portfolios to include a variety of beverages, they require automated mixing and blending systems that are flexible enough to handle different types of batches efficiently.

Fleet managers turn to route optimization to cut delivery costs

Route optimization, tracking software boost distribution efficiency

Tom Kelley

March 14, 2014

Even though fuel costs have stabilized somewhat, few other items are immune from upward price trends, and competition shows no signs of letting up. With this in mind, it’s as important as ever for fleet managers to wring every penny possible out of delivery costs.

Beverage sweeteners stevia and erythritol use on the rise

Masking agents overpower associated off-notes with these beverage ingredients

Jessica Jacobsen

March 14, 2014

Whether for new product launches or reformulations, natural zero-calorie sweeteners like stevia and erythritol are gaining ground in the beverage market, says Melanie Goulson, sweetness applications leader for Cargill, Minneapolis.

Sensient Colors launches natural brown color platform

March 14, 2014

Sensient Colors LLC, a business unit of Sensient Technologies Corp., introduced its new Natural Brown color platform designed to offer alternatives to caramel and certified colors.

Iced coffee sales boost interest in cold-brew coffee extracts

Ingredient suppliers use fruit pairings to enhance iced coffee flavor

Jennifer Storelli

March 14, 2014

Although many people might not enjoy cold weather — especially as many parts of the country have faced multiple rounds of cold temperatures and snow this winter — data are showing that consumers do enjoy cold coffee.

R&D News: March 2014

Döhler fully acquires Innoval Döhler

March 14, 2014

Hilmar Cheese Co. Inc., Hilmar, Calif., announced plans to build a milk powder processing facility in Turlock, Calif.

New can, multi-pack sizes influence beverage packaging

Alcoholic drinks and non alcoholic drinks brand owners release new beverage packaging

March 14, 2014

In time for spring, Heineken USA introduced an 8.5-ounce slim can format. Twelve-packs of these new slim cans began rolling out at retail outlets across the country this month.

Packing, wrapping equipment flexes to handle SKU proliferation

Equipment updates address different packaging sizes and styles

March 14, 2014

As a proliferation of new brands and flavors continues to hit the market, the beverage industry also has experienced an influx of new package styles and designs to help those products stand out on the shelf.

E-commerce gaining share of consumer packaged goods sales

Online grocery sales hit $6.5 billion in 2013

Jessica Jacobsen

March 14, 2014

If Cyber Monday statistics are any indication of the future for the overall online sales market, it could be a bright future for the online community.

Beverage brands get social with Pinterest promotions, Twitter contests

New products draw inspiration from social media, consumer requests

March 14, 2014

Fitness water brand Buff Water signed Canadian Football League athlete Hugh Charles, a running back for the Edmonton Eskimos, to its brand team.

Beverage flavors can invoke memories, experts say

Comax Flavors releases Sweet Memories flavor line to invoke nostalgia

Stephanie Cernivec

March 14, 2014

Earlier this year, “60 Minutes” correspondent Lesley Stahl reported about a condition known as hyperthymesia or highly superior autobiographical memory.

3D salted caramel latte and Multi V Goodness

Drug store beverage sales outpace industry average

Channel offers opportunities to promote health and wellness-related beverages

Jessica Jacobsen

March 14, 2014

A trip to the drug store is no longer just an opportunity to refill a prescription or restock the family first aid kit. Today’s retailers are instituting different programs to provide shoppers with a more value-added experience, experts note.

Food Safety Summit 2014 to focus on regulation

BNP Media event offers new regulation seminars, networking opportunities

March 14, 2014

The Food Safety Summit, which will take place April 8-10 in Baltimore, will focus this year on the importance of industry regulators in the foodservice industry.

Beverage Industry launches new app

Introductory video shows how to use Bev Industry Mobile

Jessica Jacobsen

March 14, 2014

According to statistics portal Statista Inc., an estimated 140 million Americans are smartphone users, up from 121.4 million in 2012. The research firm anticipates this number will continue to grow and eclipse the 200 million mark by 2017.

On Demand In Beverage Industry’s annual State of the Industry: The Alcohol Beverage Market, analysts at S&D Insights LLC delve into these trends and how they’re shaping the industry.

Leveraging decades of beverage production expertise, join Regal Rexnord’s Jeremy Fryman, Beverage Industry Marketing Manager and Tom Eure, Senior Account Executive as they dive into the landscape of plastic conveyor belt materials on the market and how to select the proper material type by application.

Beverage Industry Magazine

2014 March

Cover Story

F.X. Matt Brewing Co. celebrates 125 years in business

Features

Wine blends offer craft beverage appeal

Hard cider draws in consumers from outside the beer category

Craft brewers' sales growth continues

Mexican beers dominate imported beer growth

Bud Light 'Ritas,' Redd's line extensions support FMB growth

Domestic beer case sales decline

Good2grow appeals to kids, parents through animated characters

In Zone Brands rebrands as good2grow

F.X. Matt Brewing Co. adds equipment to maximize craft beer quality

Columns

Brewers Association to host 31st annual Craft Brewers Conference

Beer brands support hoop dreams during March Madness

New equipment offers additional beverage product protection

SKU proliferation demands flexibility from beverage mixing equipment

Fleet managers turn to route optimization to cut delivery costs

Beverage sweeteners stevia and erythritol use on the rise

Sensient Colors launches natural brown color platform

Iced coffee sales boost interest in cold-brew coffee extracts

R&D News: March 2014

New can, multi-pack sizes influence beverage packaging

Packing, wrapping equipment flexes to handle SKU proliferation

E-commerce gaining share of consumer packaged goods sales

Beverage brands get social with Pinterest promotions, Twitter contests

Beverage flavors can invoke memories, experts say

Drug store beverage sales outpace industry average

Food Safety Summit 2014 to focus on regulation

Beverage Industry launches new app

Elevate your expertise in the beverage marketplace with unparalleled insights and connections.

Join thousands of beverage professionals today. Shouldn’t you know what they know?