Canteen Spirits will receive investments and a distribution agreement from beverage alcohol giant Anheuser-Busch (NYSE: BUD). The Austin-based spirits company produces Canteen Vodka Soda and Cantina Especial Tequila Soda, both of which are ready-to-drink (RTD) canned cocktail lines. In addition to the distribution deal, Canteen has secured investment from ZX Ventures, AB InBev’s growth and innovation group.
Canteen Spirits was founded in 2019 and has grown rapidly, selling a whopping 517,000 cases last year. “Ready to drink cocktails are one of the fastest-growing and most competitive alcohol beverage categories in the U.S. market and we couldn’t be more thrilled at what we’ve been able to accomplish at Canteen Spirits in just two years,” states Canteen Spirits CEO Brandon Cason.
“We are incredibly proud of this distribution partnership with Anheuser-Busch, which will allow us to leverage their expertise in logistics and distribution to help us grow at an expedited pace,” said Cason.
The partnership signals Anheuser-Busch’s continued commitment to their own Beyond Beer portfolio. The company has been focusing on a Beyond Beer approach since 2018 and even recently announced plans to invest $1 billion into their production facilities in order to keep up with consumer demand for hard seltzer products.
Anheuser-Busch’s website clarifies, “While we’re first and foremost a brewer, we are constantly evolving to keep up with consumer trends across the industry. Our Beyond Beer roster includes hard seltzers, canned wines, canned cocktails, and more — adding innovative products to our industry-leading portfolio.”
Canteen Vodka Soda RTD canned cocktails come in seven flavors including Watermelon, Pineapple, Strawberry, Black Cherry, Lime, Cucumber Mint and Ruby Red. Each 12 ounce can contains real vodka, only 99 calories and an ABV of 5%. The beverages contain no sugar, carbs or sodium. Canteen is available in 6-packs featuring individual flavors and a 12-can variety pack.
Canteen launched Cantina Tequila Soda RTD canned cocktails last month. Cantina is made with blanco tequila and comes in three flavors including Grapefruit Paloma, Watermelon Margarita and, West Texas favorite, Ranch Water. Each 12 ounce can contains 99 calories, no sugar, 1 gram of carbs and an ABV of 5.6%. The drinks can be purchased in 4-packs of individual flavors. Both Canteen Vodka Sodas and Cantina Tequila Sodas are sold nationwide.
Teaming up with industry titan Anheuser-Busch gives Canteen the opportunity to grow with a family of RTD brands that includes Bud Light Seltzer, Cutwater Spirits, Cacti, Bon V!V, and more. Cutwater Sprits, which the company acquired in 2019, has a similar line of vodka soda products. The investment indicates the US consumer’s appetite for more varieties of canned cocktails.
“Canteen Spirits has quickly built-up a following in the U.S. since launching in 2019 and has had an impressive introduction to the category,” says Anheuser-Busch’s President of Beyond Beer, Fabricio Zonzini. “Consumers sit at the center of everything we do at Anheuser-Busch and that’s why we’re focused on expanding and innovating within our Beyond Beer portfolio to meet their changing needs. I’m excited to work with the team at Canteen Spirits and look forward to bringing their amazing lineup of products to our unparalleled distribution network.”
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