What's hitting the shelves? New beverage launches
New energy drinks
German social media star MontanaBlack has launched GÖNRGY, a range of new canned energy drinks.
The name GÖNRGY riffs on the German verb ‘gönnen’ (to treat), and the range is based on a ‘flavor explosion formula’ specially developed by MontanaBlack to communicate his philosophy that everyone should regularly treat themselves to something they enjoy.
“Low-calorie, no-sugar GÖNRGY is not only designed to delight the tastebuds through rich and sensuous flavours, it also provides a pleasurable lift through an innovative mix of ginseng, ginkgo and natural caffeine from green coffee beans and green tea, along with useful B vitamins,” says the brand.
The GÖNRGY cans from Ardagh Metal Packaging are filled by Austrian beverage experts Spitz, and are available now in REWE and Kaufland German supermarkets, with expansion to a wide range of other retail partners to follow shortly.
Peace Hard Tea
Molson Coors and The Coca-Cola Company have launched Peace Hard Tea in the US.
The lineup of ‘vibrant, fruit-forward hard teas’ is available in convenience and retail stores across the Southeast: with a particular emphasis on convenience store sales.
“Known for the mischievously playful persona of the namesake brand it's inspired by, Peace Hard Tea features three flavors in 24-ounce single cans: Freedom of Peach, Really Really Razzy, and More Peace More Lemon,” says Molson Coors.
“With the launch of Peace Hard Tea, we’re bringing 21+ consumers the bold and fruit flavored hard tea they’ve been searching for to shake up the norms of everyday life.”
Cannabis-infused cold brew meets pumpkin spice
The Drinkable Company – a newly launched cannabis beverage brand providing premium beverage options including soda, cold brew and tea – is launching its first ever limited edition.
Zenith Nitro Cold Brew: Pumpkin Spice launches this month, ‘combining cold brew craftsmanship with the essence of autumn, resulting in a one-of-a-kind beverage experience’.
“As a newly available brand in the cannabis beverage space, we want to make sure we’re offering cannabis consumers something new, yet relatable,” said Mark Mahoney, CEO and Co-Founder of The Drinkable Company. “When you think fall, you think pumpkin. This limited-edition flavor is just one of many future seasonal flavors, and we’re excited to continuing giving new and existing consumers something to look forward to.”
The brew ‘infuses the smoothness of nitro cold brew with the warm, comforting flavors of pumpkin…. The pumpkin powerhouse will awaken your senses and invigorate your mind in under 20 minutes, making it easier than ever to fine-tune your buzz.’
All beverages from The Drinkable Company – which include cannabis infused Zenith Cold Brew Coffee, Tiger Tea, and Swivel Craft Soda – contain 5mg of THC per 12 ounce can.
Zenith Nitro Cold Brew: Pumpkin Spice will be available in select retailers in Massachusetts. The Drinkable Company’s other products are available in select retailers in both Massachusetts and Maine.
Bodyarmor launches Bodyarmor Flash I.V. Hydration Boosters
BodyArmor Sports Nutrition has announced the launch of its latest innovation, BodyArmor Flash I.V. Hydration Boosters.
The launch follows that of the Flash I.V. ready-to-drink format; and represents the brand’s first foray into hydration boosters via single-serve powder stick form.
“Designed to deliver the latest in active hydration and functionality for consumers on-the-go, BodyArmor’s new Flash I.V. Hydration Boosters offer the ability to refuel and replenish with more than 2200mg of essential electrolytes plus added functionality with Zinc, Vitamins B and C to support a healthy immune system, and the same BodyArmor promise of no artificial flavors, sweeteners, or dyes,” says the brand.
The hydration boosters will come in compact single-serve, 6-pack, and 15-pack offerings.
The boosters can be paired with BodyArmor SportWater, a premium electrolyte-packed high alkaline water with pH 9+.
BodyArmor Flash I.V. Hydration Boosters will be available nationwide in the US and online via Amazon in five flavors including Tropical Punch, Cucumber Lime, Grape, Strawberry Kiwi, and Lemon Lime.
Brooklyn Brewery's latest fonio creation
Brooklyn Brewery has launched Fonio Rising: a ‘distinctive and delicious’ craft beer made with the climate-resistant, ancient West African grain fonio.
The beer has been brewed in collaboration with Yolélé, whose mission is to bring underutilized African ingredients like fonio to global tables.
Led by Beard Award-winning Brewmaster Garrett Oliver, Brooklyn Brewery has been working with fonio - which has long been a source of income for the most rural of African communities - since 2019, paving the way for this creation.
Fonio Rising Double Pilsner (6.4% ABV) is an ‘invigorating golden lager that exudes a robust and crisp profile, featuring vibrant tropical fruit notes’.
The beer will be available at Whole Foods Market stores across the US starting early October, and in Brooklyn Brewery’s Williamsburg-based Tasting Room.
Known as the ‘seed of the universe’, fonio – a grain in the millet family – has the ability to flourish in areas where other crops struggle: providing a nutritious grain that’s a source of income for smallholder farms in West Africa.
Brooklyn and Yolélé released their first partnership - fonio white beer - regionally in the US last year. In the UK, it's also teamed up with Brewgooder for a fonio session IPA.
Peppermint Mocha cold brew
STōK Cold Brew Coffee has launched its latest limited-edition flavor: Peppermint Mocha.
While already an annual favorite, social conversations about Peppermint Mocha have increased by nearly 70% over the past year, notes the brands.
“Not overly sweet and not underwhelming, it's the perfect coffee-forward cold brew to get you through the winter season,” says the Danone brand.
Kombucha brand Lo Bros releases two new flavors
Kombucha brand Lo Bros is releasing two new flavors in UK supermarket Sainsbury’s.
Raspberry & Blackcurrant is already a success in the brand’s native Australia; and the company hopes to replicate its success in the UK.
Meanwhile, Fruit Cash – a mix of mango, orange, apple, passionfruit and raspberry – is a limited edition.
The drinks are made with a traditional fermentation process, turning sugars into millions of live cultures.
The new flavors will be available in Sainsbury’s from 4 October with an RRP of £2.
Vegan wine
South Africa’s Lubanzi Wines has launched in supermarket Waitrose in the UK.
The range - which includes a Chenin Blanc, a Red Blend and Rose Bubbles – is made from grapes grown in South Africa’s Swartland region.
Lubanzi co-founder Walker Brown said: “We are thrilled to have landed our first major retailer listing with Waitrose – the commitment it has to both quality and sustainability feels so well aligned with our brand that the cans just seem right at home there. We cannot wait for the Waitrose shopper to discover Lubanzi and to see more Brits enjoying our wines.”
Coffee without coffee beans
Dutch food tech start-up Northern Wonder, which creates a sustainable coffee alternative without tropical ingredients - and thus without coffee beans - is launching a second version with an improved taste.
A year after the initial introduction, Northern Wonder said it has further perfected the flavor of its 'Coffee-Free Coffee.'
David Klingen, co-founder of Northern Wonder, said: "Three years ago, we embarked on our flavor exploration journey. We launched the first version of our beanless coffee a year ago, and it already had a strong coffee-like taste. With ground coffee and capsules, which we are now selling at [Dutch supermarket chain] Albert Heijn, we are taking it a step further.
“Working together with researchers from Wageningen University and others, our team of product developers has managed to extract the so much appreciated coffee taste from non-tropical ingredients. In terms of taste development, aroma, and especially intensity, we have made great new strides."
