2018 Summer Releases

This year the alcoholic beverage market is seeing a number of unique products popping up on shelves. From centuries-old recipes being brewed once again, famous brands collaborating on bottles, two drinks being blended into one, and nostalgic concoctions being revamped, there’s a lot to try in 2018.

 

 

A revolutionary product hitting supermarkets everywhere is the Freedom Reserve Red Lager from Budweiser. This brew is inspired by George Washington’s hand written recipe for “Small Beer” found scribbled in his 1757 military journal. Proceeds from the sales will benefit Folds of Honor which provides educational scholarships to military families. This beer is the second in Budweiser’s Reserve Collection, the first produced to celebrate the 1933 repeal of Prohibition, brewed by the company’s veterans and even features their signatures on the vintage bottles and pint cans.

 

 

Two iconic brands, George Dickel – one of the oldest Tennessee distilleries, and Tabasco – the 150-year-old hot sauce company, have teamed up to produce George Dickel Tabasco Brand Barrel Finish. During its traditional production process, Tabasco Sauce is aged in Jack Daniels barrels for three years and now those barrels are being repurposed by George Dickel. The distillery is using them to age their classic whiskey for an additional 30 days, absorbing a hint of the peppers. It’s then mixed with a distilled hot sauce essence to create a truly best-of-both-worlds flavor.

 

 

Several brands have jumped on the “pink trend” and have started producing what is sure to be a hit all summer: rosé hard cider. Different companies have been creating particular combinations of ingredients including red flesh apples, hibiscus, pears and rose petals. This unusual blend has been making headway with wine drinkers, cider lovers, those searching for a refreshing, low alcohol beverage that pairs well with light food, and of course, those on a quest for an Instagram worthy drink.

 

 

Zima, first released in 1993 is coming back in a very limited release, joining the popular 90’s comeback trend. MillerCoors has dubbed the return “Z2K,” playing on name of “Y2K” which occurred at the time of the drink’s peak popularity. The lightly carbonated, citrus malt is only back for a couple of months, but it is now available nationwide so be sure to stock up soon!

Which of these drinks are you most excited to try this summer?