Beverage Industry Top Stories

Treat inspiration reigns at Natural Products Expo

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Natural Products Expo West, part of the New Hope Network family of brands, hosted thousands of attendees and exhibiting companies March 3-6 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Recasting Our Point of Reference in Beverage

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400

The beverage marketplace has gone through repeated cycles of fragmentation, reinvention and rediscovery. Not long ago, the narrative was that big brands were finished and the future belonged to endless niche innovation.

Spirits market faces shifting landscape, RTDs continue to drive growth

Sabettal@bnpmedia.com (Lauren Sabetta) — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Despite premium-driven growth and RTD cocktails on the rise, experts highlight how the spirits market is facing real pressure from inflation, tighter consumer budgets, and a shift in consumer behavior.

Health needs, technology advancements support maturing plant protein market

jacobsenj@bnpmedia.com (Jessica Jacobsen) — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Plant-based proteins have moved from being a niche option to a go-to ingredient to meet protein needs in beverage development.

Readers’ Choice: New Product of the Month | March 2026

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 01:00:00 -0400

Beverage Industry has selected eight new beverage products introduced in March 2026.

Consumer expectations drive innovation in plastic packaging

Sabettal@bnpmedia.com (Lauren Sabetta) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Aside from its sustainable attributes, experts note that consumers and beverage-makers alike are turning to plastic packaging for its durability, portability and reliable product protection.

Zero, diet extensions keep carbonated soft drink market fresh

jacobsenj@bnpmedia.com (Jessica Jacobsen) — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Zero-sugar and diet extensions have aided the performance of the carbonated soft drink market as well as the proliferation of prebiotic sodas.

Tequila, mezcal segments remain hot among consumers

alversonc@bnpmedia.com (Chloe Alverson) — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Tequila and mezcal segments continue to be impacted by premiumization and consumer trends.

Hint delivers simple, accessible hydration

jacobsenj@bnpmedia.com (Jessica Jacobsen) — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

As the wellness space becomes increasingly complicated, Hint refreshes its branding to highlight the simple and accessible attributes from the unsweetened flavored water brand.

eCommerce market evolves to meet consumers’ shopping needs

Sabettal@bnpmedia.com (Lauren Sabetta) — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

With today’s consumers fully embracing omnichannel shopping, experts note that beyond the product sale, brands can shape both immediate purchasing decisions and future brand commitment by understanding that consumers are looking for a unified experience.

DSD technology supports beverage distributors in navigating shifting trends

alversonc@bnpmedia.com (Chloe Alverson) — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

As consumer preferences change, DSD operators need better tools to understand execution, quickly spot innovation trends, and communicate those to partners to support success in the market.

Premium beverages are booming. Is your water ready?

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 14:00:00 -0400

As the trend toward premiumization in the beverage industry grows, water quality and efficiency are moving from operational details to strategic requirements.

Survey finds beverage purchases increasingly influenced by health

jacobsenj@bnpmedia.com (Jessica Jacobsen) — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

EY organization released its Consumer Beverage Survey, which found three major aspects are reshaping beverage choice and consumption behavior: health, digital engagement and generation shifts.

Beverage brands seek filler technology that support flexibility, adaptability

alversonc@bnpmedia.com (Chloe Alverson) — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Filler technology has changed as OEMs embrace shifting beverage trends.

Beverage brands turn to innovation to meet next-gen drink trends

Sabettal@bnpmedia.com (Lauren Sabetta) — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

As functional beverages with added benefits are gaining momentum, a recent insight from Flavorchem spotlights key trends shaping tea, alcohol, as well as functional wellness beverages.

Delivery operations must account for key considerations with EV charging station maintenance

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

When considering having on-site charging stations, there are a number of key factors that all-diesel delivery fleets hadn’t had to consider that can protect electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Beverage-makers turn to coffee for the ingredient’s versatile flavors, functionality

Sabettal@bnpmedia.com (Lauren Sabetta) — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Coffee ingredients are increasingly being used in formulations as supporting components rather than the sole focus, experts note.

-196 brings Japanese craftsmanship to US market

jacobsenj@bnpmedia.com (Jessica Jacobsen) — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

With its commitment to quality and Japanese ingenuity, -196 is a vodka seltzer that brings whole-fruit flavor experience to the ready-to-drink spirits category.

2026 Beer Market Report: Moderate outlook for US beer market

jacobsenj@bnpmedia.com (Jessica Jacobsen) — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0500

With beverage alcohol consumption down across all major markets, the U.S. beer market is embracing premium, flavorful and non-alcohol options to reach consumers. For domestic beer, brands, not segments, hold the future to engaging legal drinking age consumers.

2026 Beer Market Report: Imported beer contends with tough comps as year wrapped

jacobsenj@bnpmedia.com (Jessica Jacobsen) — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0500

After approximately a decade of posting dollar sales growth, the imported beer market took a turn in the later part of 2025, resulting in decline in dollar sales.

2026 Beer Market Report: Declines impact FMBs, hard seltzer’s performance

jacobsenj@bnpmedia.com (Jessica Jacobsen) — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0500

Traditional flavored malt beverages and hard teas shine in the ready-to-drink alcohol space, while hard seltzer category looks to stop declines.

2026 Beer Market Report: Craft beer faces continued declines

jacobsenj@bnpmedia.com (Jessica Jacobsen) — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0500

Craft beer carved out a strong position within the U.S. beer market, yet recent years of declines are taking a toll on the segment as brands and even breweries have shuttered as a result.

2026 Beer Market Report: Moderation trends keep non-alcohol growing

jacobsenj@bnpmedia.com (Jessica Jacobsen) — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0500

Although moderation trends have elevated non-alcohol beer’s standing, analysts highlight that taste and supporting choice will keep the segment growing.

2026 Beer Market Report: Hard cider experiences stable year

jacobsenj@bnpmedia.com (Jessica Jacobsen) — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 11:10:00 -0500

>After suffering declines in 2024, hard cider was able to turn its performance around, showcasing modest increases in 2025, with analysts pointing to flavor innovations to continue that progress.

2026 Beer Market Report: Trends, Innovation, and Consumer Behavior

jacobsenj@bnpmedia.com (Jessica Jacobsen) — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0500

Beverage Industry provides an in-depth look at the U.S. beer market and its 2025 performance.

FDA revision opens doors for natural color labeling

jacobsenj@bnpmedia.com (Jessica Jacobsen) — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The FDA recently revised its approach to beverage labels in terms of artificial colors, while also approving two new natural color solutions. Kathleen Sanzo with Morgan Lewis details how this will impact food and beverage-makers.

The pros of processing automation

alversonc@bnpmedia.com (Chloe Alverson) — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Processing automation is useful for beverage formulators to increase efficiency while also meeting consumer and beverage trends like fortification and natural sweeteners.

Beverage brands explore aluminum packaging as alternative to traditional options

alversonc@bnpmedia.com (Chloe Alverson) — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The beverage packaging market continues to value aluminum formats for a variety of reasons, especially due to its recyclability and convenience qualities.

Nutritious, indulgent flavors reign supreme for creamers, dairy drinks

Sabettal@bnpmedia.com (Lauren Sabetta) — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

With convenience and wellness trends driving interest in the creamers and dairy drinks markets, experts note that these segments are benefiting from consumers’ desire for beverages that are naturally nutritious.

Making it sweet: beverage-makers aim to provide ideal levels of sweetness

alversonc@bnpmedia.com (Chloe Alverson) — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

With consumers increasingly opting for functional, health-forward beverages, beverage-makers must adjust formulations utilizing natural sweetener solutions.