Industry

Megan Klein (Little Saints), Emily Onkey (Aplós), and Olivia Ferdi (TRIP) named to Inc.’s 2026 Female Founders 500. (Megan Klein | Emily Onkey | Olivia Ferdi)

Cheeky Cocktails launches Kickstarter for functional botanical seltzers with prebiotic fiber designed for sipping or mixing. (kickstarter.com)

Molson Coors measures creative effectiveness by sales impact and brand growth, using its internal “MUSCLE” framework. (adexchanger.com)

Celebrity-backed non-alcoholic beverage brands surge as declining alcohol consumption accelerates growth across the NA drinks category. (bloomberg.com)

BioInnovation Institute backs Étiquette, whose fermentation tech enables wineries to produce non-alcoholic wine during production. (bii.dk)

De Soi spent about $42K on Expo West, using sampling, tote bags, and stunts to drive booth traffic. (linkedin.com)

BrewDog sold to Tilray for $44M, leaving “Equity for Punks” investors with nothing. (nytimes.com)

Crescent Canna leads U.S. THC beverages in dollar sales, driven by Crescent 9 seltzers and Ellora THC spirits. (linkedin.com)

CPG brands must win the scroll first as social feeds replace shelves for product discovery. (redantler.com)

Lower-ABV lagers lose consumer appeal as tax-driven reformulations impact flavor and challenge craft brewers. (mca-insight.com)

Hemp-THC drinks gain mainstream traction in venues and stores, bypassing dispensary restrictions. (hightimes.com)

Vibes you can taste. oHHo Seltzers deliver natural flavors, fast-acting effects, and only 20 calories per can. A smooth, booze-free buzz with zero hangover that turns curious shoppers into loyal repeat buyers.(Stock oHHo)

30-year-old California winery Aloria Vineyards files Chapter 11 as U.S. wine demand declines. (thestreet.com)

JuneShine shifts to outsourced production, cutting 30 jobs to reduce costs and focus on growth. (brewbound.com)

Functional soft drinks surged 28.5% during Dry January, outperforming low and no-alcohol beverages. (thegrocer.co.uk)

Ready to Drink Podcast: Hightail founder discusses low-dose THC beverages targeting professionals seeking relaxation without traditional alcohol. (youtube.com)

Ready to Drink Podcast: Edibles.com executive says hemp beverages will scale through traditional alcohol distribution and wellness-focused positioning. (youtube.com)

US of NA Podcast: Aplós CEO discusses building premium non-alcoholic spirits designed for mixology and the future alcohol-free bar. (usofna.com)

Business of Drinks Podcast: Hyatt beverage director explains how distribution, pilots, and local activation determine which drink brands scale in hotels. (youtube.com)

AI + Shopping

AI shopping agents are beginning to find, compare, and purchase products, forcing brands to rethink discovery. (hbr.org)

Retailers launch third-party marketplaces to expand assortment and prepare for AI-driven product discovery. (retailtouchpoints.com)

More than 100 brands have tested ads in ChatGPT, with retail and grocery dominating early campaigns. (marketingdive.com)

Supermarket AI forecasting tools are worsening supplier planning, creating unreliable demand signals and operational challenges. (thegrocer.co.uk)

Health

Culture

“Regularmaxxing” shows Gen Z trying to rebuild bar regular culture as venues shrink and drink prices rise. (proofpoints.substack.com)

Bars introduce mini cocktails and tasting flights as consumers seek moderation and smaller alcohol servings. (nypost.com)

Palm Springs’ Modernism Week revives midcentury cocktail culture through themed parties and mixology classes. (wsj.com)

Gen Z leads shift toward at-home happy hours, with growing interest in low and non-alcoholic drinks. (nypost.com)

Feedspot lists the Top 100 sober influencers to follow in 2026 for alcohol-free lifestyle and recovery content. (feedspot.com)

Luxury homebuyers are replacing wine cellars with wellness spaces like saunas, gyms, and meditation rooms. (sfgate.com)

Despite wellness trends, Gen Z still marks turning 21 with alcohol, though drinking habits moderate afterward. (vinepair.com)

Non-Non-Alc

Diageo cuts roughly 200 U.S. hospitality roles after ending its on-premise partnership program. (fingers.email)

Beverage brands win long term by overdelivering early and building loyalty with retailers, fans, and founders. (beercrunchers.substack.com)

“Recession Pop” nostalgia is driving measurable consumer behavior, influencing media engagement and purchase patterns. (advertisingweek.com)

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