Sustainability has been a part of cidermaking for generations, but it’s only recently being talked about, finds Jaq Bayles  With climate change anxieties mounting in the face of increasing evidence that the planet is under threat, it’s no surprise that drinks producers across the industry are taking steps to mitigate their impact. And cider is a sector at the forefront of this movement.  While…

As consumers feel the pinch, could the cost of living crisis put a halt to the vegan drinks movement? Rachel Badham reports  Following years of veganism and socially-conscious drinks being the next big thing, the force of inflation could be about to tip the scales. As the ever-increasing cost of living puts a strain on Brits, affordability is becoming a deciding factor for concerned consumers. …

Alcohol production and the environment is a hot topic, but the issues aren’t always black and white. Millie Milliken talks to drinks brands looking beyond official certification The impact of the drinks industry on the environment has never been so high on the agenda. Last year’s Cop26 summit in Glasgow put whisky and its plans for carbon neutral status on the world stage; sustainability,…

What’s next in the world of flavoured cider? Clinton Cawood investigates  It’s easy to see the appeal of flavoured cider, not only to consumers looking for something fruity, colourful and new to drink, but to producers competing against a tide of new flavour-led products from other categories, such as hard seltzers and other RTDs.  There’s growing demand for authenticity and more premium products, but…

Consumers are prioritising concerns around climate change and water and food shortages ahead of waste and plastic pollution, according to new research.  The 2022 Mintel Consulting Sustainability Barometer found that the number of global consumers citing climate change as a top three environmental concern has risen from an average of 39% to 46% between 2021-22. Concerns over water shortages is up from 27% in…

Drinks brands and retailers are faced with a bewildering amount of green advice and initiatives. Sustainability expert Paul Foulkes-Arellano beats a path through the forest  Green legislation and guidance is coming thick and fast. We’ve had the Competition & Markets Authority’s (CMA) Green Claims Code, the Institute of Grocery Distribution’s goals to halve environmental impact by 2030, Scotland’s delayed Deposit Return Scheme and the broader…

What will the drinks packs of the future look like? Lucy Britner reports from the recent Act for Change symposium in Bordeaux Glass. That’s the answer to the question: What will be the main type of packaging for wine and spirits in 2030? In June, Lulie Halstead, co-founder of Wine Intelligence IWSR; Rob Malin, founder of When in Rome; Damien Barton, co-manager of Bordeaux’s…