LAS VEGAS -- Mexican imports, sweet flavors and packaging variety were clear trends in the beer and wine categories of new products on the NACS Show floor.
Anheuser-Busch sampled its new Montejo Mexican import, while Constellation Brands flaunted the recent success of its Corona and Modelo imports. And Heineken USA gets in those waters, too, with its new Desperados Lager (not pictured), a “Latin-inspired European import” aged in tequila barrels and blended with lemon and tequila flavors, and Tecate Michelado Diablo.
Flavored beers and malts introduced this year range from lemonade to strawberry daiquiri, while Moscato and Prosecco wines earn their bubbles.
And small packages got bigger, while big packages got smaller, all in an effort to drive more consumers to pick up a can or bottle on more frequent occasions.
Here’s a look at alcohol products that caught CSP Daily News’ eye:
Heineken USA is playing with flavor and package sizes. Strongbow cider has added a “gold” line that includes Gold Apple and Honey & Apple flavors. Dos Equis’ Dos-a-Rita and Tecate Michelado Diablo were upsized to in 24-oz. cans, while Heineken beer itself was downsized to 8-oz. cans to attract multicultural and millennial consumers, according to the company. The company also introduced Desperados Lager (not pictured), a “Latin-inspired European import” aged in tequila barrels and blended with lemon and tequila flavors.
Mike’s Hard has added two new flavors to its namesake lime: Tropical Pink Lemonade and Blackberry Lemonade. It also debuted a new line of TGIFridays-branded beverages. The “mixed drinks 2go” are available in Long Island Ice Tea and Wild Strawberry Daiquiri. Also new, but not pictured, is the addition of a Dragonfruit flavor on Mike’s Harder line in 24-oz. cans.
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