Top Fall Beverage Industry Trends, According to Experts

While celebrity endorsements of products may be commonplace, there is a new trend in the beverage industry. In addition to celebrities such as George Clooney and Jennifer Aniston endorsing products such as Smart Water and Nespresso, vineyards and champagne houses are collaborating with well-known figures to expand their brand portfolios. Cameron Diaz, for instance, has introduced a line of "clean" wines, including an organic French rose and a sugar-free Spanish white. These celebrity endorsements reflect the growing popularity of the wellness trend in recent years.

According to Matthew Iovane, several beverage industry trends have already begun to emerge this fall. Sugar consumption continues to decline as more consumers attempt to reduce their consumption of sugary beverages. In response, manufacturers of popular beverages now offer reduced-sugar and sugar-free options. Dr. Pepper Zero Sugar, Red Bull Sugar Free, Monster Energy Zero, and other popular zero-sugar products are available. In addition to lowering sugar content, beverage companies are blurring product categories.

The popularity of hard seltzer and spiked beverages continues to rise. Within a year, the first major beer-branded soft-seltzer produced in Mexico became the most popular soft drink in the world. Some journalists hypothesized that Coca-Cola will introduce additional alcoholic beverages in the future. Multiple breweries are expanding into the spirits market, concentrating on vodka and metal, whose consumption has increased in recent years. However, whiskey and vodka have not caught up to beer.

In the beverage industry, low-cost drinks have become a major trend. The popularity of inexpensive drinks has also benefited alcohol manufacturers. AB InBev, for instance, experienced significant growth during the third quarter of 2020 in the United States, due in part to streamlined logistics for delivering beverages to consumers. Both Michelob Ultra and Bud Light Hard Seltzer contributed to the growth, while Bud Light's growth in the United States could prepare other beverage manufacturers to enter the CBD market.

Matthew Iovane believes that the beverage sector embraces collaboration. For instance, C4 Energy collaborated with Mars Wrigley last fall to introduce four new flavors inspired by STARBURST candies. This year, the companies have increased their collaboration efforts with Skittles. These types of partnerships are growing in popularity among consumers, and beverage manufacturers will have many more opportunities to increase their brand equity.

The rise of low-ABV beverages is an additional trend that is thriving. While many consumers have focused on alcoholic beverages, consumers have embraced non-alcoholic beverages. In fact, sales of non-alcoholic spirits have increased 33 percent over the past 52 weeks and are expected to increase 33 percent by 2023. This shift towards a healthier lifestyle has had an effect on the beverage industry.

Similarly, functional beverages are on the rise. A growing number of consumers seek out beverages with added benefits. According to research conducted by Mintel, the leading functional beverages of 2019 are anti-inflammatory beverages, non-alcoholic beverages, and beverages containing medicinal mushrooms. Increasingly, these products are sold as teas, powders, and tinctures. If you're looking to spice up your menu, consider offering these inventive beverages.

Coca-Cola is a company that relies heavily on troubled categories. Despite the negative effects of soda, the company has expanded its portfolio of beverage categories to combat the decline. PepsiCo and Coca-Cola, two of the leading soda brands, introduced seltzer water in 2018. Coca-Cola has aggressively acquired diverse companies, such as Starbucks and Costa Coffee, in addition to expanding its beverage portfolio.

Another trend that will make waves in the beverage industry is bubble tea. Although controversial, bubble tea has become a global beverage. By 2027, the bubble tea market is anticipated to reach $4.3 billion. The experts also anticipate that the popularity of hard seltzers will continue to rise over the next few years. Consider enrolling in this college course if you are an expert in food and drink to stay abreast of current trends.

In partnership with Molson Coors Beverage, Coca-Cola will release Topo Chico Hard Seltzer in early 2021. Matthew Iovane described that the volume of the new beverage has skyrocketed, helping the category surpass spirits consumption. Although Topo Chico's growth has slowed this year, it remains one of Coke's first alcoholic beverage launches in decades.

Pop-ups and street food vendors have increased in number in North America as a result of the expansion of street food vendors. In Vancouver, for instance, over 100 food carts are permitted. While some critics are annoyed by this trend's growth, others are pleased to see it flourish. According to Bon Appetit magazine, pop-ups are not restaurants. This new trend is exposing consumers to new types of foods and beverages.