Craft Beer Innovations

830 Words2 Pages

Innovation is a key trend for craft beer and cocktails.
Millennials are changing the market for craft beer and cocktails toward fresher and natural ingredients.
Overview

Overview

Hello, and thank you for your question on craft beer and cocktail trends! In general, we have found that some of the trends overlap between craft beer and cocktails such as innovation and the ways in which flavors are innovated as well as the focus on premium drinks. Trends in 2018 involve the Instagrammability of drinks.

Methodology

To research your question, we looked at industry websites such as “Beverage Industry” as well as sites that track business and fashion trends more generally such as Vogue or Forbes. Beverage Industry provided the inside look at what …show more content…

Innovation is “essential to the success of craft breweries.” Packaging is one area where craft beer innovation is strong. Packaging allows craft breweries to stand out in a competitive market. Different boxes, holders, as well as attractive art are all techniques used by craft beer breweries.

Flavors are also innovated by craft breweries. Younger consumers may not be “brand loyal” so they must be attracted with standout flavors. The taste itself is but one quality considered; texture, visuals, and style are equally important. Younger consumers are “more adventurous than loyal” which means they’re willing to taste non-traditional flavors. Organic, non-GMO, clean labels, and natural ingredients are all innovative trends fueled by millennials. A “back to nature” approach fuels the decision to include honey, maple syrup, and other natural ingredients.

For cocktails, innovation has fueled a rise in dark spirits with ingredients such as fruit or vanilla. Like younger craft beer drinkers, cocktail drinkers are more open to new tastes and sensations that may not be completely traditional. “Botanicals” as well as “vegetable flavors” are current innovative trends. Spirits that are “better for you” are a hot trend similar to craft …show more content…

The premium trend began with spirits and cocktails but also spread to craft beer. For both drink types, consumers are willing to pay more for higher quality. Enthusiasts are the most likely consumers to spend more, but some consumers would buy an expensive product to taste it knowing full well that they may never buy the product again.

COCKTAILS

SMOKE AND HEAT FLAVORS

Smokey flavors are a current trend for spirits. Smoked woods such as applewood, pecan wood, and mesquite as well as smoked flavors such as chocolate and cherry are burgeoning. Industry experts claim that cocktails with complex mixed smoke flavors may be seen in the future, especially in premade ready to drink cocktails. Heat is another flavor valued in cocktails trending now, especially heat that adds complexity rather than simple spiciness.

TRADITIONAL UPDATES

Cocktails are being treated as a type of “elixir” by some consumers. Cocktails can be seen as an “aperitivo” or “digestivi” by consumers who prefer natural flavors in their cocktails. These cocktails can help open the palette or aid in digestion like traditional Italian foods that serve the same purpose.

CRAFT

Open Document