Beverage Industry Top Stories

Beverage-makers have increasing options in terms of color concepts

alversonc@bnpmedia.com (Chloe Alverson) — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 15:00:00 -0400

Color concepts have shifted in a variety of way recently within the beverage segment, experts share.

Plastic bottle manufacturing equipment evolves with the times

Sabettal@bnpmedia.com (Lauren Sabetta) — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 14:54:16 -0400

Beverage producers are under increasing pressure to reduce material consumption and carbon emissions. Experts highlight how plastic bottle manufacturing solutions can support these goals.

Mass merchandisers appeal to the masses

alversonc@bnpmedia.com (Chloe Alverson) — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 15:08:00 -0400

Inflation has presented opportunities and pressure on the mass merchandiser channel.

Canadian import ban prompts shift

jacobsenj@bnpmedia.com (Jessica Jacobsen) — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Following the import ban on certain Canadian beverage alcohol products, experts anticipate a change in consumer behavior.

Software systems play key role in cognitive warehousing

Sabettal@bnpmedia.com (Lauren Sabetta) — Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

As beverage operations manage SKU proliferation, experts highlight how software solutions provide inventory visibility, intelligent slotting and efficient product movement.

AI keeps the ball rolling for beverage-makers

alversonc@bnpmedia.com (Chloe Alverson) — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Experts share how AI continues to be a useful tool for beverage-makers across categories.

Protein’s usage in beverage extending beyond sports nutrition

jacobsenj@bnpmedia.com (Jessica Jacobsen) — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Once highly associated with athletics and sports nutrition, research shows that protein is playing a bigger role in consumers’ overall wellness needs.

AI assists beverage brands in array of areas

alversonc@bnpmedia.com (Chloe Alverson) — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Beverage-makers are finding uses for artificial intelligence (AI) beyond consumer insights.

Female engagement leads to stronger beverage operations

Sabettal@bnpmedia.com (Lauren Sabetta) — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

With more women succeeding in operational leadership roles, experts highlight that representation matters because it shows what is possible.

GRIZZLY Energy, Bear ‘n Beaver offer consumers nostalgic flavors

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

DD Beverage & Nutrition is looking to expand distribution and drive awareness of its GRIZZLY Energy and Bear ‘n Beaver Premium Craft Soda brands.

What happens when the power fails?

Sun, 18 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Beverage manufacturers often have backup generators or other measures in place to help safeguard critical operations during power outages. In many facilities, that does not necessarily mean maintaining full production.

Plant milks market shows signs of maturation

jacobsenj@bnpmedia.com (Jessica Jacobsen) — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Once an emerging entrant to the beverage market, plant-based milks have shown signs of reaching maturation.

2026 sees cherry-inspired innovation peppered throughout beverage categories

Sabettal@bnpmedia.com (Lauren Sabetta) — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Last year, T. Hasegawa tapped Dark Sweet Cherry as its 2026 Flavor of the Year, meanwhile beverage brands have taken full advantage of the flavor trend with cherry-inspired flavor innovations.

Brand licensing moves well beyond one-off products

Sabettal@bnpmedia.com (Lauren Sabetta) — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The beverage market has seen more non-alcohol brands embark on licensing partnerships with food and candy brands.
Meanwhile, brand licenses also are crossing lines with non-alcohol products venturing into alcohol.

Delivering more capabilities in robotics

jacobsenj@bnpmedia.com (Jessica Jacobsen) — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 07:00:00 -0400

When it comes to robotics, the ties to artificial intelligence (AI) weren’t always so linked, but experts note that those connections have grown in recent years.

Ingredients that help drive performance

jacobsenj@bnpmedia.com (Jessica Jacobsen) — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 07:00:00 -0400

With interest in performance beverages on the rise, beverage-makers are turning to a variety of ingredient solutions for pre-, during and post-activities.

Beverage-makers turn to carton, pouches for flexibility

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

Alongside flexibility and sustainable attributes, experts highlight the benefits that carton and pouches have to offer.

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

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 01:00:00 -0400

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

Combining technologies

Sabettal@bnpmedia.com (Lauren Sabetta) — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Rather than manual and automated picking as an either/or decision, experts note that voice-picking technology is playing an important role within beverage warehouse’s broader automation strategy.

Clean fleets support safer driving culture

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Proper vehicle cleaning is about much more than aesthetics. There’s a direct causal link between vehicle cleanliness and safety.

Voice-picking helps create more efficient beverage warehouses

Sabettal@bnpmedia.com (Lauren Sabetta) — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400

As beverage operations continue to navigate SKU proliferation, experts highlight how voice-picking systems can help manage this complexity by providing precise, step-by-step instructions directly to the operator.

Robotics adapts to existing beverage warehouses

jacobsenj@bnpmedia.com (Jessica Jacobsen) — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Robotics technology is bringing automation support to end-of-line tasks in beverage warehouses.

Flavor innovations, wellness benefits offer bottled water manufacturers opportunities

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

Hydration needs are keeping consumers reaching for bottled water data shows.

Sustainable measures prompt beverage-makers’ interest in cartons, pouches

Sabettal@bnpmedia.com (Lauren Sabetta) — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 12:44:29 -0400

Beyond consumer demand, recycling and other sustainability measures are having an impact on beverage packaging and the materials being used, prompting interest in cartons, pouches.

Performance beverages offering more benefits for consumers

jacobsenj@bnpmedia.com (Jessica Jacobsen) — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400

As consumers take greater control of their health and well-being, performance beverages that were once designed to fuel athletic and fitness activities also are being incorporated into broader wellness goals.

Beverage-makers turn to botanicals, adaptogens for functional benefits

alversonc@bnpmedia.com (Chloe Alverson) — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Experts share that beverage makers are utilizing botanicals and adaptogens within functional formulations.

Convenience stores shift offerings based on consumer preference

alversonc@bnpmedia.com (Chloe Alverson) — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The convenience channel remains popular among consumers thanks to its affordability and array of options.

Cann beverages appeal to sober curious, cannabis curious consumers

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

Founded in 2019 as an “all-natural social tonic,” Cann sits at the intersection of sober curiosity and cannabis curiosity.

Beverages bring increasing value to restaurants

jacobsenj@bnpmedia.com (Jessica Jacobsen) — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Foodservice operators see value in diverse beverage portfolios with franchise brands introducing new creations and ways for consumers to customize their drinks.

College students seek function, flavor from campus dining

Sabettal@bnpmedia.com (Lauren Sabetta) — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This fall semester, functional meals and beverages are top of mind for college students, influencing campus dining, according to Chartwells Higher Education.