ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The newly renamed FIFCO USA continues to shake up the flavored malt beverage (FMB) market with the release of what it says is the first FMB made with hemp seeds.
FIFCO USA, formerly North American Breweries, is launching the "hemp-style" flavored malt beverage Hemptails in February 2019. Hemptails is a ready-to-drink alcohol beverage intended for consumers looking to embrace the hemp movement in their drinking experience.
With 8% alcohol by volume, Hemptails is made with organic, sterilized hemp seeds and contains no psychoactive ingredients, "allowing consumers to enjoy an herbal hemp aroma and flavor in a delicious FMB," the company said.
Starting in February 2019, Hemptails will be available nationwide in single-serve 23.5-ounce cans and four packs of 16-ounce cans. Consumers can choose from three flavors: Hemp’d, Citrus Gold and Passionfruit Express. "Each flavor balances the earthy hemp quality with a light, fruity taste," the company said.
“Hemp is an amazing, versatile plant and by introducing it into the FMB space, we’ve created an entirely new drinking experience,” said Jennifer McCauley, brand manager for Hemptails. “Hemptails allows consumers to enjoy hemp in a completely different and exciting way.”
Earlier this month, FIFCO rolled out Pura Still, a malt beverage marketed as a spiked still water. Other recent releases by the Rochester, N.Y.-based company have included Sniki-Tiki, a line of malt beverages with 9.9% alcohol, and the continued expansion of its Seagram's Escapes Spiked line of malt beverages.
The company also brews the Labatt, Genesee, Magic Hat and Original Honey Brown Lager beers, among others.
CHICAGO -- MillerCoors will add a watermelon flavor to its Redd’s Wicked Ale lineup and bring back last year's limited-time strawberry kiwi this March.
Redd’s Wicked Watermelon's Feb. 1 debut doubled as the unveiling of redesigned packaging across the Redd’s Wicked brand, a change made to strengthen its visibility on shelves and in cooler doors, according to the brewer.
The 8% alcohol-by-volume (ABV) beer, which has a dark golden copper hue and distinct watermelon aroma, will be sold in 16-ounce and 24-ounce single-serve cans, as well as 12-packs of 10-ounce cans.
A month later, Redd’s will rerelease Wicked Strawberry Kiwi as part of its Limited Pick series. That beer, also clocking in at 8% ABV, was originally released in March 2017 and helped the brand surpass internal sales goals, said Frank Cirone, senior marketing manager for Redd’s, Redd’s Wicked and Crispin Hard Ciders.
The packaging redesign does away with the primarily black cans and apple imagery in favor of bigger splashes of color that better correspond with each Redd’s Wicked flavor, helping each stand distinctly on its own. The overhaul, Cirone said, “will strengthen visibility” and help drinkers “find us more accurately and easily.”
Province Brands, a Canadian research and development company and an emerging brewer of alcohol-free beers, has filed a provisional patent around technology to create "the world's first beers brewed from the cannabis plant."
The Canadian government legalized the development of edibles and beverage products made from marijuana in October 2017.
Province Brands has created an alcohol-free, yet highly intoxicating, marijuana beer with a dose-response curve similar to that of alcohol, according to the company. Province's marijuana-powered beers and spirits are designed to challenge the $1.2 trillion alcohol industry by offering a safer and healthier alternative.
The Boston Beer Co. has rolled out a new hybrid beer dubbed Sam ’76, a union of lager and ale. Brewed using a unique process, Sam ’76 captures the best attributes of these two beer styles, according to the company.
With a 4.7% ABV, Sam ’76 is available nationwide in six-pack cans for a suggested retail price of $8.99-$9.99, 12-pack cans for an SRP of $15.99-$17.99, and 16-ounce single-serve cans for an SRP of $1.99-$2.49.
Left Hand Brewing Co., Longmont, Colo., has partnered with Allegro Coffee Co. on its new Hard Wired Nitro Coffee Porter. The new beer features Allegro's Hard Wired Coffee, a blend of beans selected specifically for the desirable characteristics for this smooth nitro porter, the company said. Hard Wired Nitro has an ABV of 6% and will be available for a limited time. It is available in six-packs of 12-ounce bottles.
Alaskan Brewing is changing up its rotating seasonal offerings, launching a new focus on three products that will not be strictly tied to seasons. The new packages and beers will concentrate on beer style and the Alaskan brew crew’s dedication to local ingredients and brews that are long-standing fan favorites, the company said.
The new rotating beers will feature labels with iconic symbols of Alaska, the company said. Snowy Owl represents Spruce IPA, which debuted in January and will be available through April.
Alaskan Summer, a Kolsch-style ale will be renamed Alaskan Kolsch. The beer’s recipe, iconic Orca and vibrant orange label will stay the same. In fall 2018, beer drinkers can look for a brand new seasonal offering: Alaskan Cranberry Tart Ale, which was inspired by Alaskan high bush cranberries and features Sitka spruce tips in a refreshing wheat-based beer.
Craft-beer brewer Rogue Ales & Spirits, Newport, Ore., announced two beer developments.
Hazelnut Brown Nectar is now available in 12-ounce cans with an updated design that features a hand-drawn cracked hazelnut, bringing the Pacific Northwest twist to the inside and out, the company said. Hazelnut Brown's new look is available in 22-ounce bottles, 12-ounce bottles and 12-ounce cans.
Secondly, Rogue launched its Straight Outta Newport, a bold, hoppy double IPA, for the new year. Dedicated to the Oregon Coast, Rogue’s home and world headquarters, Rogue brewers were challenged to create a uniquely West Coast beer using citra, mosaic and comet hops. At 8.7% ABV and 73 IBU, Straight Outta Newport features a bold and flavorful profile, bursting with aromas of grapefruit, tangerine and orange, fruity hop notes and a juicy finish, the company said. Straight Outta Newport is available in 16-ounce four-pack cans.
Seattle-based Pyramid Brewing launched Pyramid Lemondrop Citrus Pale Ale. The beer is made with real lemon peel, wheat and oats, as well as nugget and cascade hops. It's available in six- and 12-packs and 22-ounce bottles. Meanwhile, Pyramid has celebrated its local NBA team, the Portland Trailblazers, with a brew of its own: Pyramid Blazermania IPA. The beer is made with four different hops, 6.5% ABV and 70 IBUs. It's available in six-packs and 22-ounce bottles.
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