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Alcoholic beverages that go beyond beer

Consumers are embracing lower-calorie beverages lighter in taste than beer

Holly Petre, Assistant Digital Editor

May 27, 2021

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Alcohol saw significant retail sales increases during COVID, and the trend shows no signs of stopping even as restaurants and bars begin resuming normal service.

Data from research firm Nielsen shows that dollar sales of hard seltzer were up 176.5%, to about $3.9 billion, at retail stores (grocery, convenience and liquor stores — excluding restaurants and bars) in the 52 weeks ending Nov. 14, compared with the year-ago, 52-week span. That’s on top of a 203.8% increase in the 2019 period.

Nielsen reported that wine sales were up 16.1% in 2021, to about $20.5 billion, in the 52 weeks ending Nov. 14, compared to the year-ago span. Beer sales, meanwhile, were up 8% in the most recent 52 weeks, to $39.95 billion.

And while beer may hold a strong first-place when it comes to alcohol sales (especially as summer approaches), there are plenty of new companies targeting the younger consumer who wants a lower-calorie option to beer with a fruiter flavor. Here are some of the newest products in that category.

About the Author

Holly Petre

Assistant Digital Editor

Holly Petre is a content producer and assistant digital editor as well as the host of Nation’s Restaurant News’ podcast, Extra Serving, and producer for Informa Restaurant and Food Groups other three podcasts, One On One by Food Management, Off the Shelf with SN and In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn. Holly holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Sculpture, fibers and Material Studies and Ceramics from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. A native New Yorker, Holly enjoys her place on staff as the resident pop-culture expert and millennial with a sassy attitude and great sense of style.

Holly Petre’s work on Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality often covers marketing and trends, either aimed-at or examined-through the millennial mindset. Holly is responsible for introducing TikTok and Twitch to NRN and RH readers as well as explaining terms like “Karen” to staff and readers alike. She also spends her time on staff trying not to make every headline a pun.

Holly Petre hasn’t spoken at any events or on panels, but she is readily available with a killer shoe wardrobe and several witty quips.

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