## Winners Named Across Six Categories The Grand Tasting, held August 25 outdoors at a PGA golf course pavilion, drew buyers and suppliers to sample and vote on beverages across six categories: - Best Wine: Bearded Viking Mead Company
- Best Beer: Outlaw Light
- Best Spirits: Game On Spirits
- Best Ready-to-Drink (Alcohol): Nirvana
- Best Non-Alcoholic Beverage: TROPLESS Healthy Cocktail Mixers
- Best THC/CBD Beverage: The Hemp Doctor Suppliers submitted up to three products each for attendee voting.

Industry Trends Emerge Amid Market Pressures The event underscored shifting consumer behavior in the alcohol category.

Kaleigh Theriault, Director of Thought Leadership at NielsenIQ, delivered a presentation covering how moderation, economic pressures, and evolving preferences are reshaping purchasing decisions across beer, wine, spirits, RTDs, adult non-alcoholic beverages, and THC products. Two trends emerged clearly: ready-to-drink mixed cocktails continued to gain variety and shelf space, while brands increasingly invested in elevated, premium-looking packaging designed for special occasions and entertaining—without exceeding price points consumers would accept.

Preceding Golf Outing Draws 20 Participants On August 24, the second annual golf outing featured 20 competitors in an 18-hole scramble on Arnold Palmer's course. Torch Beverage sponsored the golf carts and distributed samples and branded merchandise. Awards were given for best overall score, closest to the pin, and longest drive.

Why It Matters

While the industry faces headwinds from THC/CBD regulatory uncertainty and shifting consumption patterns, operators showed strong engagement and deal-making appetite at the tasting. The premium-RTD and elevated-packaging trends suggest buyers are banking on occasions-based drinking and premium positioning to navigate price sensitivity and competition.

For more insights and trends in the food and beverage sector, check out more articles in The Food & Beverage Magazine family of publications.

Written by FBM Publications Editors