What's Brewing in Beer, Wine, & Spirits?

What’s Brewing in Beer, Wine, & Spirits?

Viral specialty cocktails, at-home mixologists, canned seltzers, conscious consumption: These trends and others have taken the beverage industry by storm during the last few years, evolving the market and impacting sales, consumer mindsets, and the future of alcohol.

Read on to discover the biggest trends in the BevAlc industry and how suppliers and distributors can maintain high spirits and sales as they navigate the market.

The Buzz of Boozeless Drinks

A short-lived trend or the future of beverage?

Non-alcoholic beer, wine, and spirits saw $396M in sales in 2022.

85.3%

OF SALES

19.5%

13.4%

OF SALES

23.2%

1.03%

OF SALES

88.4%

2022

NON-ALCOHOLIC BEER

NON-ALCOHOLIC WINE

NON-ALCOHOLIC SPIRITS

$396M NON-ALCOHOLIC BEER, WINE, AND SPIRITS SALES

4 out of 5 buyers of non-alcoholic beverages also purchase beer, wine, and spirits with alcohol

Gen Z has

Gen Z: The Conscious Consumer

$360M in

The largest generation in history, Generation Z (anyone born between 1997-2012) now consists of 2.5 billion members—or one-third of the

disposable

global population. As more Gen Zers become of drinking age, they are going to have a big impact on the beverage industry.

GEN Z IS DRIVING THE NON-ALCOHOLIC MOVEMENT.

20%

income.

38%

45%

38% of Gen Z drinkers bought more non-alcoholic beverages in 2022 than 2021.

Gen Zers are drinking 20% less alcohol than millenials.

WHEN THEY DO DRINK, WHAT IS GEN Z HAVING?

45% of 21+ Gen Zers completely abstain from alcohol consumption.

TOP BEER ALTERNATIVES

48%

Liquor

28%

Wine

13% Hard Ice Tea

Beer

13% Malt Liquor

21%

14% Hard Lemonade

& Beer Alternatives

3%

10% Hard Seltzer

Extras

8% Hard Kombucha

BUILDING LOYALTY WITH GEN Z PRIORITIZE MOBILE

With a generation so focused on digital accessibility,

EMPHASIZE TRANSPARENCY

data privacy, and peer recommendations, how can brands build brand

AIM FOR CONVENIENCE

loyalty and relationships?

ADAPT TO TASTES & TRENDS EMBRACE SUSTAINABILITY

ETHICAL MANUFACTURING EMPLOYEE WELLNESS 1

https://nielseniq.com/global/en/insights/education/2022/non-alcoholic-beverage-trends-in-the-us/#:~:text=As%20of%20August%202022%3A,88.4%25%20from%20a%20year%20ago.

2

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jefffromm/2022/07/20/as-gen-zs-buying-power-grows-businesses-must-adapt-their-marketing/?sh=60b638b02533

3

https://www.drinkripples.com/blog/5-stats-behind-the-gen-z-drink-trend-thats-not-going-away

4

https://bevalcinsights.com/exploring-the-ins-and-outs-of-gen-z-purchasing-trends/

RTD spirit-based

The Rise of Ready-to-Drink

cocktail sales increased

Canned = Convenience, Cost, Choice

by 68% in off-premise channels in 2022

2021 RTD COCKTAILS SALES BY SPIRIT BASE

46% Vodka

33% Tequila

8% Rum

5% Whiskey

4% Multiple

WHY DO CONSUMERS CHOOSE RTDS?

94%

94% choose RTDs because they offer their preferred flavor choice

92%

92% choose RTDs for convenience

2% Gin

88%

88% choose RTDs because the taste aligns with their favorite alcoholic beverage

Dominating a Dynamic Market As consumers’ lifestyles, finances, and preferences are always evolving, it’s up to brands to serve these needs by leveraging a relevant and strategic go-to-market approach.

1.

Know your consumers and meet them where they are, especially the influential Generation Z.

2.

Improve employee engagement and training for stronger supplier/distributor relationships.

3.

Track competitor and market trends.

4.

Explore new technologies, like FORM's industry-leading image recognition AI app, to improve execution on- and off-premise and cut survey times by 75%.

5

https://www.distilledspirits.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Final-DISCUS-Handout-9.14.22-v2-1.pdf

6

https://www.forbes.com/sites/joemicallef/2022/09/14/why-demand-for-rtd-beverages-is-skyrocketing-the-distilled-spirits-council-report/?sh=768a0ab924f3

To learn more about FORM’s Image Recognition AI, visit our resource hub, featuring overview videos, exclusive market reports, and interactive product tours.