The Gist by Sightlines

Giving context to top news from across alcohol through the reporting and research we've conducted at Sightlines: The Binge Watch High-volume drinking happens earlier in the day—a trend that tracks with other behavioral changes of American drinkers. Binge Drinking Shifts to Daytime Occasions for On-Premise https://www.sightlines.news/analysis/binge-drinking-shifts-to-daytime-occasions-for-on-premise   It's Easier Being Green (and Drinking a Beer) Cannabis and hemp-derived products are more readily available than ever, but what if a concern about consumption rates against alcohol should actually be about budgeting? How Cannabis Use Could Impact On-Premise Drink Purchases https://www.sightlines.news/analysis/how-cannabis-use-could-impact-on-premise-drink-purchases   No More Empty Nests The latest annual report from the National Association of Realtors shows a record-high of Americans buying homes for multiple generations. This will impact how people spend their money and discover new products. Key Alcohol Consumers Increasingly Live in Multigenerational Homes https://www.sightlines.news/analysis/key-alcohol-consumers-increasingly-live-in-multigenerational-homes   Subscribe to get these insights in your inbox: https://www.sightlines.news/sign-up   

Giving context to top news from across alcohol through the reporting and research we've conducted at Sightlines:   1. Better understand the THC consumer Sightlines insights have showcased how people who use cannabis also drink alcohol and what that could mean for sales of some categories. We'll also explore new data about who's using THC products. How Cannabis Use Could Impact On-Premise Drink Purchases https://www.sightlines.news/analysis/how-cannabis-use-could-impact-on-premise-drink-purchases Changing Perception of Alcohol, Cannabis Highlight Why Teens Choose Vices Differently https://www.sightlines.news/analysis/changing-perception-of-alcohol-cannabis-highlight-why-teens-choose-vices-differently   2. Everything is energy Keurig Dr Pepper recently announced plans to acquire Ghost Beverages, makers of one of the best-selling energy drink brands in the country. Looking past a $1 billion price tag, this move explains how companies see the energy category and its many different potential customers. Even Non-Alcoholic Drinks Thrive by Offering a "Buzz" https://www.sightlines.news/analysis/non-alcoholic-drinks-thrive-by-offering-a-buzz Drinkers Match Moods with Any Beverage, So Position Yours to Matter When It Counts https://www.sightlines.news/analysis/drinkers-match-moods-with-any-beverage-so-position-yours-to-matter-when-it-counts   3. Do these non-alcoholic beer moves add up? Actor Tom Holland is swinging into the segment while Athletic Brewing is trying to capture more space in stores with 19.2oz cans. Meanwhile, more breweries are trying to carve out their own opportunities. Slowly Expanding, Non-Alc Beer Category is Structurally Sound but Top-Heavy https://www.sightlines.news/analysis/non-alc-beer-category-is-structurally-sound-but-top-heavy Why a New Non-Alc Beer Bets it all on a Single SKU https://www.sightlines.news/analysis/why-a-new-non-alc-beer-bets-it-all-on-a-single-sku   Subscribe to get these insights in your inbox: https://www.sightlines.news/sign-up   

Giving context to top news from across alcohol through the reporting and research we've conducted at Sightlines: 1. Hemp-derived products have become one of the fastest-growing segments in beverage. Distributors now have a green light to pursue a segment with broad consumer interest and big margins. Format, Familiarity Push Delta-8 Drinks to Top of Growth Chart https://www.sightlines.news/analysis/format-familiarity-push-delta-8-drinks-to-top-of-growth-chart  Breweries Cash In on Delta-9 Drinks With More Opportunity on the Way https://www.sightlines.news/analysis/breweries-cash-in-on-delta-9-drinks  2. Companies continue to wrestle with how to connect with young drinkers, but years of Sightlines insights are now becoming part of everyday conversations among bev-alc leaders. It's about paying attention to what consumers are showing and telling you. How to Build a Flavor-Focused Brand https://www.sightlines.news/analysis/how-to-build-a-flavor-focused-brand  Vodka Dominates Canned Cocktails As Cost Effective Flavor Base https://www.sightlines.news/analysis/vodka-dominates-canned-cocktails-as-cost-effective-flavor-base  Young Drinkers Consume More, Most Interested in Price, Flavor, ABV https://www.sightlines.news/analysis/young-drinkers-consume-more-most-interested-in-price-flavor-abv  3. Wine has been in a rough spot for years. This October, industry leaders are launching the first collective marketing campaign in a decade. Can it work? Or do they need to look for lessons from consumers just like everyone else? Alcohol’s Growth Increasingly Comes from New Wave Drinks Built Across Category Lines https://www.sightlines.news/analysis/alcohols-growth-increasingly-comes-from-new-wave-drinks-built-across-category-lines  Subscribe to get these insights in your inbox: https://www.sightlines.news/sign-up   

Giving context to top news from across alcohol through the reporting and research we've conducted at Sightlines: 1. Beer produced and sold in the U.S. continues a downward trajectory. Latest data from the Beer Institute shows that between May and July, American breweries declined 10 million barrels compared to the same time frame a decade ago. So, what’s the cause? It’s easy to point at cannabis or the “sober-curious,” but we’ll give proper context for what’s going on. The Narrative About Gen Z Drinkers is Wrong https://www.sightlines.news/analysis/the-narrative-about-gen-z-drinkers-is-wrong Sales Data and Research Explains Cannabis Consumers and Lack of Impact on Alcohol https://www.sightlines.news/analysis/sales-data-and-research-explains-cannabis-consumers-and-impact-on-alcohol Context Behind Gallup's Latest Polling on Alcohol https://www.sightlines.news/analysis/context-behind-gallups-latest-polling-on-alcohol 2. While beer slumps, FMBs and RTDs dominate. Across beer, wine, and spirits, “4th category” brands are actually slowing losses as consumers find new kinds of drinks and flavor experiences that give them what they want. We’ll explain the current and long term impact of what this means. What the Fastest-Growing RTD Brand Teaches Us About Space, Speed, and Staying Power https://www.sightlines.news/analysis/what-the-fastest-growing-rtd-brand-teaches-us-about-space-speed-and-staying-power 3. Discover the opportunity in draft sales. While kegged beer sales lag pre-pandemic levels, thousands of open draft lines across the country present the chance for new revenue, no matter what gets poured. The Sightlines team previews upcoming insights about why this matters. Subscribe to get these insights in your inbox: https://www.sightlines.news/sign-up 

A summary of reporting and research we've conducted at Sightlines in recent weeks: 1. Michelob Ultra will become the #2 beer in America by dollar sales this year, overtaking Bud Light and trailing only Modelo Especial. Bryan clocked this back in March 2022, for what it’s worth. Sightlines previewed this change in March 2022 and recently shared context about how and why Michelob Ultra found this new level of success. https://www.sightlines.news/analysis/branding-lessons-from-michelob-ultras-lap-of-bud-light 2. Monster’s Alcohol Brands – which includes The Beast Unleashed, Nasty Beast Hard Tea, and various craft beers and hard seltzers – also took a hit, with decreasing FMB volumes pushing net sales down -31.9% to $41.6 million, from $61 million in Q2 2023.  Sightlines offered an in-depth look at what’s going on in convenience stores and how these retails spaces influence consumers elsewhere: https://www.sightlines.news/analysis/c-store-behaviors-influence-shopping-across-all-retail 3. Multigenerational Homes The Sightlines team previews upcoming insights about one of the key demographic changes in America: the rise of multigenerational households. Hear about why this matters and subscribe to get these insights in your inbox: https://www.sightlines.news/sign-up