Operations

Urban South Brewery has added three tropical-inspired flavors to its Paradise Park hard seltzer lineup just in time for summer.

Hard seltzers are dominating the alcoholic beverage industry. The hard seltzer market reached $3.8 billion last year and is projected to hit $11 billion by 2027. We examine the profitability of the popular beverage and the approach by Anheuser-Busch (NYSE: BUD), Molson Coors (NYSE: TAP), Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ), and Boston Beer (NYSE: SAM).

The party just got a little harder in Michigan. Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a package of bills into law that will allow Michigan distillers to produce stronger canned cocktails, while lowering the tax burden on consumers.

Bud Light Seltzer today launches a new 24-pack that combines Bud Light Seltzer Lemonade and Bud Light Seltzer Iced Tea. The suitcase of hard seltzer from Anheuser-Busch (NYSE: BUD) meets demand for larger variety as consumers return to pre-pandemic style events and gatherings.

Sonic Drive-In restaurants will not sell hard seltzer, in spite of releasing the branded beverage alcohol on May 18 at retail outlets. Initial distribution is limited to certain Oklahoma retailers, including Casey’s, Costco, Home­land, Rea­sor’s, Sprout’s, Tar­get, Wal­mart, and Whole Foods.

Molson Coors (NYSE: TAP) is investing $100 million in Canadian operations to ramp up production capability for hard seltzer. The investment will more than quadruple capacity.

Lunar hard seltzer is the first hard seltzer to use MSG, but its connections with Asian American culture runs much deeper. Founded in New York City by Sean Ro and Kevin Wong, Lunar is a brand born during the pandemic and rapidly gaining national attention.

Jim Beam just launched two brand new ready-to-drink (RTD) canned cocktails. Both the Classic Highball and the Ginger Highball are made with actual bourbon.

Salt Lake City-based Simplicity Cocktails has introduced a new line of canned spirits complete with innovative resealable lids. The premium vodka and bourbon will be Simplicity’s first foray into spirits. The company is known for their extensive line of ready-to-drink canned cocktails.

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 ready-to-drink (RTD) canned cocktails. The investment indicates the US consumer's appetite for more varieties of canned cocktails.