May’s top stories: Vodka made from fog launched, Búcha and New Age Beverages to merge

Hangar 1 creates vodka from fog

US-based Hangar 1 Vodka created Fog Point, a vodka made from fog in San Francisco, California.

The company stationed fog catchers at various places in the city, including Sutro Tower and El Sobrante, which convert fog into water.

Hangar 1 Vodka was quoted by the website as saying: "This water is then blended with vodka distilled from premium wine sourced from a sustainable vineyard on the Central Coast.

The company’s head distiller Caley Shoemaker told KPIX: "60% of vodka is water."

Bucha and New Age Beverages to merge

California-based Búcha is to merge with New Age Beverages in a cash-and-equity transaction worth approximately $20m. The merged entity will lead to cost and revenue synergies of more than $7.5m.

Búcha owns the Búcha Live Kombucha brand, while the Colorado-based New Age Beverages Group manufactures natural tea and other health beverages and is valued at $50m.

The deal includes New Age Beverages’ assets and brands, including XingTea, XingEnergy, and Aspen Pure.

Hiland Dairy Foods launches Hiland Dairy milk in three flavours in US

Hiland Dairy Foods Company introduced Hiland Dairy milk in three flavours in the US.

The drinks are available in quart cartons in sea salt caramel, chocolate truffle and honey cookie flavours. They do not contain artificial growth hormones and have been tested for antibiotics.

Hiland Dairy president Gary Aggus said: "Consumers want greater options when it comes to balancing good-for-you beverage choices with appealing flavour combinations and serving options.

Coca-Cola Great Britain launches bottled water brand Glacéau Smartwater

 

Coca-Cola Great Britain (CCGB) has launched a new bottled water brand, called glacéau smartwater, to tap the £1.38bn bottled water market of the UK.

The country’s bottled water segment is growing by 6% year-on-year and is expected to grow by a further 8% over the next three years.

Glacéau Smartwater will be produced and bottled in Northumberland, as part of the company’s commitment to the Made in Great Britain campaign.

The company has invested £3.5m in the production facility at Morpeth. This is the 22nd brand to be launched under CCGB.

Launched first in the US in 1996, glacéau smartwater has grown in the last seven years and is now considered to be a leading premium water brand in the country, the company claimed.

Glen Grant to launch three single malt Scotch whiskies

Glen Grant, a brand of Gruppo Campari, is set to launch three new single malt Scotch whiskies, as well as unveil a packaging and logo redesign.

The three expressions, comprising 12 Year Old, 12 Year Old Non Chill-Filtered and 18 Year Old varieties, will be launched in June.

Glen Grant 12 Year Old will come in a golden colour, and include aromas of orchard fruit, almond and citrus.

This whisky is reported to offer delicate notes of apple pie crust and caramel, and finishes with lingering fruit and subtle hints of spice.

The 12 Year Old Non Chill-filtered is said offer full and creamy textures and comes in a bright, golden colour, offering notes of toffee and rich fruit, with nutty finish and subtle bursts of spice.

Glen Grant 18 Year Old is reported to have intricate flavours of malted caramel, vanilla, and raisins.

The 12 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky will be available at the Whisky Exchange, the 12 Year Old Non Chill Filtered will be available from duty free and travel retailers, while the 18 Year Old expression will be available at Tesco outlets.

Smirnoff launches limited edition Smirnoff Red, White & Berry in US

Smirnoff, a vodka brand owned by Diageo, launched Smirnoff Red, White & Berry in the US.

The limited edition vodka, which is a mix of cherry, citrus and blue raspberry flavours, has been rolled out ahead of the US presidential election and is designed to ‘celebrate freedom’.

Smirnoff vice-president for marketing Jay Sethi said: "From Memorial Day to Independence Day and beyond, there are so many opportunities during the summer months to celebrate American pride and inclusivity.

Dean Foods launches lactose-free milk in US

US-based Dean Foods Company introduced lactose-free milk under its DairyPure brand.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), between 30 and 50 million people in the country are lactose-intolerant.

DairyPure Lactose Free fresh milk delivers eight essential nutrients, comprising calcium, protein, vitamins A, D and B12, riboflavin, phosphorus and potassium. It has also been tested for antibiotics and is produced by cows fed on a healthy diet.

Budweiser to be rebranded as America until US election

Budweiser been granted approval to temporarily rebrand itself as ‘America’, in the lead up to elections in the US.

Starting later this month, the labels on bottles and cans will read ‘America’ instead of Budweiser.

The label will continue to be carried through to the election in November, reported the Guardian.

Although the label’s typeface will remain the same, the words will change to "E Pluribus Unum" instead of "The King of Beers", meaning "Out of Many, One."

Vandergeeten to distribute C&C Group’s Tennent portfolio in China

C&C Group signed a three-year agreement with Vandergeeten for the distribution of its Tennent’s portfolio in China.

As per the agreement, Vandergeeten will initially launch Tennent’s 1885 Lager, Tennent’s Stout, Tennent’s Whisky Oak Aged Beer, Tennent’s Scotch Ale, and Tennent’s Extra into both the on premise and off premise channels in China.

Vandergeeten has been distributing food and beverage products from Belgium and other countries of Western Europe into China for over two decades.