Soda tax legislation debate coming to up to a dozen cities next year

With victories in Mexico and Berkeley, CA, public health advocates want to expand the fight for soda taxes. But how will the election year impact those initiatives?

By Carolyn Heneghan • Nov. 30, 2015

Cognac producers make US push

Retail cognac sales in the U.S. are predicted to rise 9% from last year to $5.2 billion, according to Euromonitor.

By Carolyn Heneghan • Nov. 23, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

Mergers and acquisitions

Declining sales and slowing consumption have more companies divesting brands, opening the door for smaller players and private equity firms to expand their portfolios.  

By Food Dive staff

Coca-Cola exec: Mini-cans to 'reinvent' the soda business

As soda volumes decline, the company is able to charge more by the ounce for transaction packages, which include mini-cans and mini-bottles.

By Carolyn Heneghan • Nov. 23, 2015

Coke CEO has a 'golden triangle' plan for a feminist boost

“Women have a better feeling, a better immersion, a better ideation on how to create positive balance between social and economic values," Muhtar Kent said.

By Carolyn Heneghan • Nov. 20, 2015

Coca-Cola hopes sparkling water can revive performance

Its sparkling version of smartwater will debut at restaurants, hotels, and stores in New York City, Los Angeles, and Miami with expansion planned for next year.

By Carolyn Heneghan • Nov. 19, 2015

Heineken to discontinue Desperados tequila-flavored beer in US

The brand is popular globally, but the company wants to focus on its four core brands, a Heineken USA spokesperson told Ad Age.

By Carolyn Heneghan • Nov. 19, 2015

Diageo launches 'Whiskey Union' to innovate varieties

The company's new products will be "unorthodox, weird and wonderful, and possibly like nothing you’ve ever tasted before," according to David Gates, head of premium core spirits at Diageo.

By Carolyn Heneghan • Nov. 18, 2015

More dollars to spend, yet no third Super Bowl puppy commercial for AB InBev

The company said last year's puppy spot didn't sell enough beer to warrant a third Super Bowl.

By Carolyn Heneghan • Nov. 18, 2015

Coca-Cola looks beyond traditional social media for Journey's growth

As Facebook's referral traffic for publishers declines, Coca-Cola is looking to "alternative publishing environments," Doug Busk, Coca-Cola's director of digital and social media communications, told Digiday.

By Carolyn Heneghan • Nov. 17, 2015

Constellation to acquire craft brewer Ballast Point for $1B

Ballast Point's volume grew by more than 100% since last year.

By Carolyn Heneghan • Nov. 17, 2015

Rye whiskey sees 536% volume growth in 5 years

The resurgence is attributed in part to the rise of consumers' preferences for classic cocktails.

By Carolyn Heneghan • Nov. 16, 2015

All about that fizz: Sparkling water surges in the beverage industry

Category sales in the U.S. increased 16.2% to more than $1.4 billion for the 52 weeks ending July 12.

By Carolyn Heneghan • Nov. 16, 2015

Molson Coors profit exceeds expectations on higher-margin brands

The better-than-expected third quarter profit was fueled by high demand for its higher-margin products, like Blue Moon.  

By David Oliver • Nov. 5, 2015

Gatorade looks ahead as a 'sports fuel company' in final anniversary spot

Gatorade is closing out its 50th anniversary campaign with a glimpse of the brand's future as more than just a hydration beverage.

By Carolyn Heneghan • Nov. 4, 2015

SodaStream: Profit plunges 76%, revenue misses estimates

Falling revenue has become a steady pattern for SodaStream, which is struggling to rebrand itself as a sparkling water maker.

By Carolyn Heneghan • Nov. 4, 2015

Guinness abandons fish bladder isinglass filtration to become vegan-friendly

The company had been pressured by a longstanding campaign and online petitions from vegan beer drinkers to change a 256-year-old filtration process.

By Carolyn Heneghan • Nov. 2, 2015

How an AB InBev-SABMiller merger could impact craft beer distribution

Craft brewers could find it more difficult to secure access to market post-merger.

By Carolyn Heneghan • Nov. 2, 2015

Honest Tea CEO: 'I had no beverage experience, but I was thirsty'

Coca-Cola purchased the organic bottled tea company in 2011.

By David Oliver • Oct. 29, 2015

Food fight: Coca-Cola vs. PepsiCo

This new occasional series will examine competing companies to show areas of strength and weakness. 

By David Oliver • Oct. 22, 2015

Pernod Ricard reports sales growth across the board

This could be worrisome for spirits giant Diageo, which has seen falling volumes in the U.S.

By Carolyn Heneghan • Oct. 22, 2015

Dr Pepper Snapple year-to-date, quarterly net sales jump 3%

Like other beverage companies, DPS saw higher growth in noncarbonated beverages than carbonated beverages.

By Carolyn Heneghan • Oct. 22, 2015

Senators planning AB InBev, SABMiller antitrust hearing

The scrutiny is no surprise — and this isn't the only country that's going to see it.

By David Oliver • Oct. 21, 2015

'Diet' soda label OK, FTC says

U.S. Right to Know had challenged the label as "deceptive, false and misleading" back in April.

By Carolyn Heneghan • Oct. 15, 2015

Treasury Wine to acquire Diageo's US, UK wine assets for $552M

"Wine is no longer core to Diageo and this sale gives us greater focus," Diageo CEO Ivan Menezes said in a statement.

By Carolyn Heneghan • Oct. 14, 2015

Beverage merger stats overwhelmingly favor AB InBev, SABMiller domination

If the deal goes through, nearly one out of every three beers consumed globally would be owned by the conglomerate.

By David Oliver • Oct. 13, 2015