BevWire

If you type "Modelo beer" into Google, half the results treat Especial and Corona like twins and never tell you which Modelo SKU to grab. My default is Modelo Especial. I move to Negra when dinner needs more malt, and I only grab Oro when calories are the brief. Most canned Cheladas stay on the shelf unless I want zero prep. Cervecería Modelo opened in Tacuba, Mexico City, in 1925. Negra was the first beer poured at the launch; Especial arrived in 1966 and became the U.S. flagship.

The News The Côtes du Rhône AOC has launched a new campaign named "Refresh Your Wine" to highlight its chilled wines. This initiative targets 21–40-year-olds, from wine lovers to newcomers, offering them a freer and more contemporary way to experience the appellation's wines. The campaign was first introduced in 2024 and is part of an effort to align with modern consumption habits.

The News Whiskey JYPSI announced Tonewood, a limited-edition whiskey collaboration with Gibson that uses toasted maple tonewood offcuts from Gibson's guitar-building process. The whiskey expressions were finished with these offcuts and launched alongside Eric Church’s new signature Epiphone Hummingbird Dark. The release includes two expressions: Tonewood: Vol.

The News PLAYR1 Functional Beverages has partnered with K-12 Food Solutions to introduce multi-functional drinks in school cafeterias starting this fall. The brand will be showcased at the School Nutrition Association’s National Conference in Charlotte from July 12–14, where it will debut its five-flavor lineup and an early preview of Rookie, a 100% juice beverage set for 2027. The beverages are certified for schools, free of artificial dyes, sweeteners, and added sugar.

The News Evolution Fresh, a leading cold-pressed orange juice brand, has secured its orange juice supply chain for the next 18 months. The company has committed to sourcing over 60 million premium Valencia oranges from a dual-region network in California and Northern Mexico. This procurement ensures multi-season availability of high-quality cold-pressed orange juice for grocery retailers, quick-serve restaurants, and institutional foodservice customers through 2027.

The News Brighter Beverages, Inc. announced the launch of On the Brightside™ on July 7, 2026. The product is a non-alcoholic, zero-sugar, zero-calorie soda available in Strawberry Sunshine and Guava Glow flavors. It was designed to provide immediate feelings of calm, clarity, and ease without THC, caffeine, or next-day drawbacks.

The News KEWE Energy Drink LLC, founded by Frantz J. Brignol, has introduced a redesigned can system for its zero sugar line. The new cans allow each flavor to have its own identity while keeping the KEWE brand recognizable. The redesigned line is available at drinkkewe.com. In this week’s spirits trade roundup, we’re spotlighting an unexpected entrant—a premium‑labelled energy drink that’s redefining packaging and clean‑label claims.

The News Kava Haven, a kava-infused non-alcoholic spirit, is now available at Erewhon Market locations throughout Southern California. The brand has expanded to over 1,100 retail locations nationwide since its launch in 2024. The product is made with noble kava sourced from Vanuatu and is designed for consumers seeking a way to relax and socialize without alcohol.

The News ABSOLUT TABASCO has announced a three-day event at Turkey and the Wolf in New Orleans from July 20-22. The event features world-class cocktails, culinary talent, bespoke fashion, and community impact. It is inspired by modern Americana and vintage motel culture. The brand's new release follows its global debut in over 50 markets.

The News NOCK Tequila y Mezcal has launched The Open Door Cantina: Civic Cocktail Series in New York City neighborhood bars, offering on-site voter registration through HeadCount. The initiative runs through September 15 and includes live music and cocktails. For every civic cocktail sold, $1 goes to HeadCount. The brand is making its on-premise debut in NYC.