One of the big themes BD will mine this year is the new aggressive approach by non-alcoholic beverage powerhouses to find revenue growth in the alcohol beverage market. What appeared last year to be an experiment is quickly looking like strategy.

Of particular interest now are the divergent paths taken by Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Monster Beverage, spurred by the fragmented nature of the US alcohol distribution system.

Coke has quickly expanded its Topo Chico licensing test started a year ago with Molson Coors. That deal now includes Simply, a household name in the chilled juice segment. And Coke has partnered with a second brewer and spirits company, Constellation Brands, to create a canned cocktail headlined by Fresca. In both cases, distribution will be handled by the brewers’ networks.

PepsiCo’s go-to-market strategy couldn’t be more different than Coke’s. The company has opted to build its own alcohol distribution and merchandising network around a flavored malt beverage called Hard Mtn Dew. (Be sure to check out our Blue Cloud map published last month and available only to subscribers.) Boston Beer will develop and produce the drink under license from PepsiCo.

Monster Beverage has chosen yet another path....

A collection of recent developments from around the industry to keep you up to speed...

Constellation Brands, under a new agreement with Coca-Cola, will launch a Fresca-branded canned alcoholic cocktail in the U.S. this year. Called Fresca Mixed, the ready-to-drink beverage will be spirit based, according ...

A collection of recent developments from around the industry to keep you up to speed...

This year’s NACS trade show in Chicago offered an early glimpse at innovation being sold into US convenience channel retailers for 2022. This story includes a BD slideshow of products featured at the show by Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Keurig Dr Pepper, and Monster. Below are select highlights based on details provided by the companies and NACS....

A collection of key deals from around the industry so you don't miss a beat...

Results for the first half of this year show dollar sales growth across all US non-carbonated beverage categories tracked by BD. Shelf-stable juice drinks was the only tracked category that did not ...

Coca-Cola has agreed to sell three hot-fill plants to Refresco as part of an ongoing “asset right” market strategy, according to Mark Rahiya, Coke’s chief supply chain, technical and innovation officer. The plants in...