Surprising Innovation in Alcohol Beverages

ATLANTA — There was no shortage of innovation in the alcohol-beverage category during the NACS Show in Atlanta earlier this month. In particular, the boom in canned wines, hard seltzers and other variations drove beer and wine companies’ new releases.

Here’s a look at several new products coming to convenience-store shelves …

Michael Anthony Brands, maker of the booming White Claw Hard Seltzer, promoted several new SKUs coming in spring 2020. These include a new variety pack to include Tangerine, Watermelon, Lemon and Mango flavors, as well as a higher-alcohol line called White Claw Surge, which will contain 7% alcohol by volume, compared to 5% in regular White Claw. Surge will launch in Cranberry and Blood Orange flavors.

Anheuser-Busch featured its new takes on hard seltzer: Natural Light Hard Seltzer and Bud Light Hard Seltzer. Meanwhile, it teased Bud Nitro Reserve Black and Bud Nitro Reserve Gold and offered samples of its first wine beverage in 250-mL cans in three styles: Babe Red, Babe White and Babe Rose With Bubbles.

The newest addition to Boston Beer’s Truly line is a Lemonade Hard Seltzer, intended to expand interest in the No. 2 line of hard seltzers.

MillerCoors has launched its first line of wine-based drinks. Movo Wine Spritzers come to market in 8.4-ounce cans in three styles: Raspberry Rose, Blood Orange Sangria and Peach White Blend. Each contains 5.5% alcohol by volume. MillerCoors also debuted Blue Moon Light Sky, a lighter addition to its wheat beer Blue Moon portfolio. The beer is made with tangerine peel for a citrus aroma and taste, according to the company.

E. & J. Gallo Winery expanded its Barefoot canned spritzers into new flavors. The 8.4-ounce drinks are now available in Red Sangria, Pinot Grigio, Summer Red, Pink Moscato, Crisp White, Rose and Moscato varietals.

Constellation Brands brought a number of innovations to the NACS Show, including Corona Refresca Mas, Modelo Chelada Mango Chile, Seaworthy Hard Nitro Brew and Corona Hard Seltzer, available in Tropical Lime, Mango, Cherry and Blackberry Lime flavors. All will launch nationally in spring 2020.

FIFCO, formerly North American Breweries, offered a colorful collection of new drinks, including Labatt Blue Citra, Hemptails in three flavors and Fun Wine. Fun Wine comes in 750-mL bottles and 250-mL cans in three varieties: Coconut Chardonnay, Strawberry Rose Moscato and Sangria.

CSP’s 2020 Convenience Retailing University conference will dig deep into category sales trends and best practices. We’ll also name our Category Managers of the Year. Click here to request an invitation to CRU.