Once a signifier of luxury or novelty, custom products and services are now within reach of the everyday consumer, thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence, algorithm-led platforms, and the COVID-era digitisation boom. Today, everyone wants to be the main character of their brand experience.

Established players in the spirits segment are being challenged by newcomers that are defying the rules of the game by reevaluating terroir, developing new processes, and even forging their own category-disruptive descriptors. But can these innovators go from niche to mainstream?

Environmental concerns are increasingly influencing people’s purchasing habits across sectors, as evidenced by the growing demand for plant-based ‘meat’ and electric vehicles. But how might these eco-conscious consumers reshape the beer industry? And what can brewers do to be more sustainable?

Wine has always been a drink to be taken seriously – at least, it used to be. A new breed of US-based subscription wine services is helping to diversify people’s relationships to the beverage, making wine more accessible, experimental, and even playful.

The pandemic super-charged Americans’ interest in functional drinks as fears of contracting COVID-19 prompted many to seek simple ways of taking control of their health. But what specific functionalities are they looking for, and which new beverage categories best respond to their needs?