Harpoon Launches THC-Infused, ‘Hop-Forward’ Non-Alc Beverage in Massachusetts
Boston-based Harpoon Brewery is expanding beyond bev-alc and into cannabis, announcing the launch of Rec. Weed, a THC-infused non-alcoholic beverage.
Zoe Licata
Senior Reporter, Brewbound.com
Zoe Licata joined Brewbound in 2021 after several years of freelance reporting and documentary work. She’s a Massachusetts native, guinea pig for bev-alc innovation and savant in Gen Z culture.
Posts by Zoe Licata
Adult Non-Alcoholic Beverage Association Now At 90 Members; Sets Sights on International Markets
A year after its founding, the Adult Non-Alcoholic Beverage Association (ANBA) has more than doubled its membership to more than 90 beverage companies across beer, wine and spirits.
Study Suggests Spirits-Based RTD Excise Tax Cuts Cost Consumers More; DISCUS Calls Study ‘Misleading’
Trade groups across beer and spirits continue to fight over whether spirits-based, ready-to-drink canned cocktails (RTDs) should be taxed at the same as malt-based alternatives. The argument came to a head this month when Public Sector Consultants (PSC) released a study claiming decreased excise tax rates for spirits-based RTDs have cost consumers more on shelf.
Tilray to Acquire Montauk Brewing
Global cannabis firm Tilray is adding an East Coast craft brewery to its growing brewery portfolio, with the acquisition of Montauk Brewing Company. Financial terms of the transaction were not immediately disclosed, but the deal is for 100% of the New York craft brewery.
Cross-Category Purchases Now ‘the Norm Rather Than the Exception,’ Says Bump Williams Consulting
Ready-to-drink beverage-alcohol (RTDs) has crossed into every alcoholic-beverage category, with spirits-based and wine-based RTDs, hard seltzers, flavored malt beverages (FMBs) and more. And RTD consumers aren’t sticking to just one category, according to Bump Williams Consulting (BWC).
Schilling Cider CEO: Newly Launched Non-Alc Vida Maté Line Has Potential to Outsell Cider Portfolio
Schilling Cider launched Vida Maté, a line of non-alcoholic yerba maté beverages, earlier this month that CEO Colin Schilling believes has the potential to outsell its hard cider portfolio.
Diageo Opens New $110 Million Illinois Manufacturing Facility to Increase RTD Production
Diageo North America has opened a 225,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Plainfield, Illinois, expanding the company’s production capacity by more than 25 million cases. Diageo Lincolnway, a $110 million project, includes the installation of two new high-speed canning lines, which will support production of both malt- and spirit-based ready-to-drink canned cocktails (RTDs).
Boston Beer and PepsiCo Launch Hard MTN Dew in Florida, Iowa and Tennessee
Hard MTN Dew – the partnership project between Boston Beer Company and PepsiCo Beverages – launched in three states this week: Florida, Iowa and Tennessee.
Flying Embers Closes $20 Million Funding Round Led by Beam Suntory
Ojai, California-based hard kombucha and hard seltzer-maker Flying Embers has closed a $20 million series C funding round, led by global spirits giant Beam Suntory. The investment will help fund expanded marketing and sales initiatives, as well as new product launches and the expansion of the company’s beyond beer portfolio.
Constellation Brands and Coca-Cola Partner on Fresca Branded Spirits-Based RTD
Constellation Brands has entered a brand agreement with The Coca-Cola Company to manufacture, market, distribute and launch Fresca Mixed – a spirit-based ready-to-drink cocktail based on the citrusy soft drink.
Drizly: RTDs To Continue Growth in 2022, Regardless of Pandemic Status
While the COVID-19 pandemic may have accelerated growth for ready-to-drink canned cocktails (RTDs) over the last two years, alcohol delivery platform Drizly said the segment is more than “a pandemic-driven fad” and has the potential to drive retail sales.
New Adult Non-Alcoholic Beverage Association Aims to Unify NA Producers Across All Beverage Categories
More than 40 beverage companies and their leadership have joined forces as the founding members of the Adult Non-Alcoholic Beverage Association (ANBA), an industry trade organization created to support companies in the non-alcoholic beer, wine, and spirits spaces.
Gopuff Expands to New York City
E-commerce convenience delivery platform Gopuff launched in New York City this week, with the promise of delivery to New Yorkers in 30 minutes.
BDSA: U.S. Cannabis Sales to Surpass $24 Billion This Year
Cannabis sales in the U.S. are predicted to surpass $24 billion this year, a growth of 38% compared to 2020, according to BDS Analytics (BDSA), a Colorado-based global cannabis market research firm.