Alcohol and beverage news covering brewers, distillers, wine, regulations, and consumer drinking trends.
The Indian food regulator contends that Old Monk rum variants do not qualify as rum because they are made with neutral spirit and flavoring. The article details the regulatory battle in Maharashtra, where sales were halted pending legal review regarding product classification standards.
The Boston Globe profiles Trillium Brewing's distinctive beer labels, designed by Kevin Cimo. The article suggests that the infrastructure-themed artwork is a deliberate branding strategy by co-founder JC Tetreault to establish a unique, confident identity for the brewery, distinguishing it from competitors through artistic detail rather than just product quality.
Axios covers the debut of Martini Expo in Chicago, expanding from its New York origins. The piece details events celebrating cocktail history and culture, quoting founder Robert Simonson on the drink's global popularity and Chicago's significance as a destination for martini enthusiasts.
The Sydney Morning Herald argues that blaming Gen Z for the global alcohol industry's decline is reductive. It contends that consumption has been falling across all cohorts in Australia for decades and highlights the impact of GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic on middle-aged drinkers as a significant factor.
The piece outlines Constellation Brands' refined beer strategy, emphasizing tailored marketing for mature brands like Corona while expanding Modelo. It notes mixed demand trends but highlights the company's reaffirmed outlook and supply-chain savings as key factors supporting its financial performance.