The latest food and beverage industry news and trend analysis

Carlsberg Malaysia has expanded its portfolio by launching ChongQing beer, a 3.8% ABV Chinese lager brewed locally to capitalise on the surging regional demand for authentic Asian food and beverage brands.

Adult novelty brand Buzzbar has partnered with New York restaurant Serendipity Three to launch a range of premium spirit-infused desserts, targeting high-margin experiential dining.

Craft brewery Beavertown has expanded its Cosmic Drop portfolio with a new fruit-infused tropical lager, targeting growing UK consumer demand for lighter, flavour-forward beer styles.

The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley has acquired Colorado-based craft mixer brand Strongwater to expand its premium beverage portfolio and capture high-growth functional and on-premise trends.

Heineken has launched Heineken Ultimate in Brazil, utilising a lower-alcohol, gluten-free, and low-calorie formulation to capture the fast-growing premium well-being category.

Au Vodka partners with Britvic’s Tango to launch a premium RTD range, leveraging high-equity British flavours to capture the growing convenience-led alcoholic beverage market.

Brown Brothers has expanded into the Ontario market with an LCBO-exclusive, 8% ABV Moscato Strawberries & Cream LTO, leveraging its Australian heritage to target the low-ABV "liquid snack" trend.

Ritual Zero Proof has entered the RTD category with a trio of canned non-alcoholic cocktails, leveraging its existing spirit alternatives to capture high-velocity summer consumption occasions.