Latest news with #Cutwater
18-07-2025
- Business
Canned cocktail hitting you hard? As ready-to-drink cans grow in popularity, some are getting stronger
If you've ever put back a can of Cutwater, and only then realized how much booze is in it, TikTok would like to remind you that you're not alone. Consumers have been sharing their stories — and surprise — about how strong the canned cocktails are on social media. One can, I'm drunk, one Canadian user posted on TikTok (new window) . "Suddenly we have this one option at the liquor stores that just gets you wasted." Another user said (new window) the effects of one can felt like taking multiple shots. While they come in a standard, 355-millilitre can, some flavours of the drinks pack a far bigger punch than a standard beer, with an alcohol percentage of 12.5 per cent listed on the packaging. But Cutwater is far from the only brand making high alcohol-by-volume (or ABV) products — Dillon's (new window) and Founder's (new window) are among the brands also selling canned cocktails at 12.5 per cent, while Mike's Hard (new window) , White Claw (new window) , Twisted Tea (new window) and more all make higher alcohol versions of their original products. Enlarge image (new window) Ready-to-drink cans of premade cocktails of varying alcohol percentages sit on a shelf. Cans like these have grown in popularity in recent years, and so have the options — including higher alcohol percentage. Photo: CBC / Anis Heydari Ready-to-drink beverages (or RTDs) — pre-made cocktails, hard seltzers or anything else that comes ready to consume that isn't wine or beer — have seen a boom in recent years. The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) says (new window) that ready-to-drink beverages are one of the fastest growing categories in recent years, with sales increasing by 9.5 per cent to $745.1 million total in 2024 alone. And Canada-wide, the ciders, coolers and ready-to-drink category together amassed about $2.29 billion in sales in 2023-24, according to Statistics Canada (new window) — more than double what it was in 2018-2019. Alongside that popularity, the market for higher alcohol percentage has also grown, according to industry experts. But with all the new varieties of RTDs available, consumers might not be accustomed to — or even aware — of the amount of booze they're getting. Demand for higher ABV Andrew Ferguson, owner of Kensington Wine Market in Calgary, says the demand for stronger drinks has led to the rise of boozier pre-made cocktails. People want things that are maybe twice as strong as your average RTD, and so that's why they're bottling them at 10 per cent or 11 per cent, Ferguson said. Now, whether [all] people are noticing that or not is a whole other matter. Enlarge image (new window) A variety of ready-to-drink cans sit lined up at Kensington Wine Market in Calgary. Despite having varying alcohol percentages, cans like these might be displayed side by side in stores, and consumers might not realize how much alcohol they're consuming. Photo: CBC / Rebecca Kelly Ferguson says he expects folks are used to most cans having five per cent alcohol. The average consumer is probably just assuming [all cans are] gonna be about the same, and so there won't be that much difference, Ferguson said. And even if they do see the number on the front, they might not fully know what that per cent means for them, says Marten Lodewijks, president for the North American wing of alcohol industry research group IWSR. Everyone knows seven is bigger than five, and 10 is bigger than seven. So mathematically that lands, Lodewijks said. But how strong is seven per cent? How strong is 10 per cent? How strong is five per cent? That's not something that is typically well understood by consumers. Marketing of cans is shifting — so read them carefully When it comes to higher alcohol percentage drinks, Lodewijks says there's a bang-for-your-buck factor — cans at a standard five per cent are often priced the same as those that are seven, 10 or even 13 per cent. So if I am feeling a bit financially constrained, then you're going to opt for that better value-for-money proposition. And we're definitely seeing a lot of skew in that direction, Lodewijks said. While high alcohol drinks have always existed, the marketing of them has shifted as the product category has grown, according to Lodewijks. Traditionally the high ABV products, they kind of often would make you look like an alcoholic. There'd be very large cans that had fairly aggressive names, and it was quite clear what the purpose of them was, Lodewijks said. But within the past few years, he says that's changed — while there's some outliers, high ABV products might look like any other can on the shelf, Lodewijks says. WATCH | Navigating Canada's new alcohol guidance: Markus Giesler, a marketing professor at York University's Schulich School of Business, agrees. The marketing and packaging of many high ABV drinks use words like water, he says, or imagery we'd associate with soft drinks — drinks that we might associate with quenching our thirst but not necessarily getting drunk. Beyond that, many brands now have a higher percentage version of their original drink — like White Claw, which makes a seven per cent version of their hard seltzers, while the original drink was only five per cent. Giesler says that difference might be hard to miss, especially if shoppers are in a rush, or picking up a few cans quickly on their way to a party. Because brands are changing their marketing so much in an effort to make their ready-to-drink product stand out, marketing professor Marvin Ryder says consumers can't rely on the idea that a single can is a way to measure how much you're drinking. The best antidote to an embarrassing night, he says, is to read the ABV labels on cans before you crack them. Don't get sucked in by pretty colours or pretty brand names, Ryder said. Read, be an educated consumer — understand what you're getting in each of these different products, and then have fun. Abby Hughes (new window) · CBC News · Journalist Abby Hughes does a little bit of everything at CBC News in Toronto. She has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University. You can reach her at With files from Anis Heydari
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Canned cocktail hitting you hard? As ready-to-drink cans grow in popularity, some are getting stronger
If you've ever put back a can of Cutwater, and only then realized how much booze is in it, TikTok would like to remind you that you're not alone. Consumers have been sharing their stories — and surprise — about how strong the canned cocktails are on social media. "One can, I'm drunk," one Canadian user posted on TikTok. "Suddenly we have this one option at the liquor stores that just gets you wasted." Another user said the effects of one can felt like taking multiple shots. While they come in a standard, 355-millilitre can, some flavours of the drinks pack a far bigger punch than a standard beer, with an alcohol percentage of 12.5 per cent listed on the packaging. But Cutwater is far from the only brand making high alcohol-by-volume (or ABV) products — Dillon's and Founder's are among the brands also selling canned cocktails at 12.5 per cent, while Mike's Hard, White Claw, Twisted Tea and more all make higher alcohol versions of their original products. Ready-to-drink beverages (or RTDs) — pre-made cocktails, hard seltzers or anything else that comes ready to consume that isn't wine or beer — have seen a boom in recent years. The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) says that ready-to-drink beverages are one of the fastest growing categories in recent years, with sales increasing by 9.5 per cent to $745.1 million total in 2024 alone. And Canada-wide, the ciders, coolers and ready-to-drink category together amassed about $2.29 billion in sales in 2023-24, according to Statistics Canada — more than double what it was in 2018-2019. Alongside that popularity, the market for higher alcohol percentage has also grown, according to industry experts. But with all the new varieties of RTDs available, consumers might not be accustomed to — or even aware — of the amount of booze they're getting. Demand for higher ABV Andrew Ferguson, owner of Kensington Wine Market in Calgary, says the demand for stronger drinks has led to the rise of boozier pre-made cocktails. "People want things that are maybe twice as strong as your average RTD, and so that's why they're bottling them at 10 per cent or 11 per cent," Ferguson said. "Now, whether [all] people are noticing that or not is a whole other matter." Ferguson says he expects folks are used to most cans having five per cent alcohol. "The average consumer is probably just assuming [all cans are] gonna be about the same, and so there won't be that much difference," Ferguson said. And even if they do see the number on the front, they might not fully know what that per cent means for them, says Marten Lodewijks, president for the North American wing of alcohol industry research group IWSR. "Everyone knows seven is bigger than five, and 10 is bigger than seven. So mathematically that lands," Lodewijks said. "But how strong is seven per cent? How strong is 10 per cent? How strong is five per cent? That's not something that is typically well understood by consumers." Marketing of cans is shifting — so read them carefully When it comes to higher alcohol percentage drinks, Lodewijks says there's a bang-for-your-buck factor — cans at a standard five per cent are often priced the same as those that are seven, 10 or even 13 per cent. "So if I am feeling a bit financially constrained, then you're going to opt for that better value-for-money proposition. And we're definitely seeing a lot of skew in that direction," Lodewijks said. While high alcohol drinks have always existed, the marketing of them has shifted as the product category has grown, according to Lodewijks. "Traditionally the high ABV products, they kind of often would make you look like an alcoholic. There'd be very large cans that had fairly aggressive names, and it was quite clear what the purpose of them was," Lodewijks said. But within the past few years, he says that's changed — while there's some outliers, high ABV products might look like any other can on the shelf, Lodewijks says. WATCH | Navigating Canada's new alcohol guidance: Markus Giesler, a marketing professor at York University's Schulich School of Business, agrees. The marketing and packaging of many high ABV drinks use words like "water," he says, or imagery we'd associate with soft drinks — "drinks that we might associate with quenching our thirst but not necessarily getting drunk." Beyond that, many brands now have a higher percentage version of their original drink — like White Claw, which makes a seven per cent version of their hard seltzers, while the original drink was only five per cent. Giesler says that difference might be hard to miss, especially if shoppers are in a rush, or picking up a few cans quickly on their way to a party. Because brands are changing their marketing so much in an effort to make their ready-to-drink product stand out, marketing professor Marvin Ryder says consumers can't rely on the idea that a single can is a way to measure how much you're drinking. The best antidote to an embarrassing night, he says, is to read the ABV labels on cans before you crack them. "Don't get sucked in by pretty colours or pretty brand names," Ryder said. "Read, be an educated consumer — understand what you're getting in each of these different products, and then have fun." Sign in to access your portfolio
CBC
18-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
Canned cocktail hitting you hard? As ready-to-drink cans grow in popularity, some are getting stronger
If you've ever put back a can of Cutwater, and only then realized how much booze is in it, TikTok would like to remind you that you're not alone. Consumers have been sharing their stories — and surprise — about how strong the canned cocktails are on social media. "One can, I'm drunk," one Canadian user posted on TikTok. "Suddenly we have this one option at the liquor stores that just gets you wasted." Another user said the effects of one can felt like taking multiple shots. While they come in a standard, 355-millilitre can, some flavours of the drinks pack a far bigger punch than a standard beer, with an alcohol percentage of 12.5 per cent listed on the packaging. But Cutwater is far from the only brand making high alcohol-by-volume (or ABV) products — Dillon's and Founder's are among the brands also selling canned cocktails at 12.5 per cent, while Mike's Hard, White Claw, Twisted Tea and more all make higher alcohol versions of their original products. Ready-to-drink beverages (or RTDs) — pre-made cocktails, hard seltzers or anything else that comes ready to consume that isn't wine or beer — have seen a boom in recent years. The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) says that ready-to-drink beverages are one of the fastest growing categories in recent years, with sales increasing by 9.5 per cent to $745.1 million total in 2024 alone. And Canada-wide, the ciders, coolers and ready-to-drink category together amassed about $2.29 billion in sales in 2023-24, according to Statistics Canada — more than double what it was in 2018-2019. Alongside that popularity, the market for higher alcohol percentage has also grown, according to industry experts. But with all the new varieties of RTDs available, consumers might not be accustomed to — or even aware — of the amount of booze they're getting. Demand for higher ABV Andrew Ferguson, owner of Kensington Wine Market in Calgary, says the demand for stronger drinks has led to the rise of boozier pre-made cocktails. "People want things that are maybe twice as strong as your average RTD, and so that's why they're bottling them at 10 per cent or 11 per cent," Ferguson said. "Now, whether [all] people are noticing that or not is a whole other matter." Ferguson says he expects folks are used to most cans having five per cent alcohol. "The average consumer is probably just assuming [all cans are] gonna be about the same, and so there won't be that much difference," Ferguson said. And even if they do see the number on the front, they might not fully know what that per cent means for them, says Marten Lodewijks, president for the North American wing of alcohol industry research group IWSR. "Everyone knows seven is bigger than five, and 10 is bigger than seven. So mathematically that lands," Lodewijks said. "But how strong is seven per cent? How strong is 10 per cent? How strong is five per cent? That's not something that is typically well understood by consumers." Marketing of cans is shifting — so read them carefully When it comes to higher alcohol percentage drinks, Lodewijks says there's a bang-for-your-buck factor — cans at a standard five per cent are often priced the same as those that are seven, 10 or even 13 per cent. "So if I am feeling a bit financially constrained, then you're going to opt for that better value-for-money proposition. And we're definitely seeing a lot of skew in that direction," Lodewijks said. While high alcohol drinks have always existed, the marketing of them has shifted as the product category has grown, according to Lodewijks. "Traditionally the high ABV products, they kind of often would make you look like an alcoholic. There'd be very large cans that had fairly aggressive names, and it was quite clear what the purpose of them was," Lodewijks said. But within the past few years, he says that's changed — while there's some outliers, high ABV products might look like any other can on the shelf, Lodewijks says. WATCH | Navigating Canada's new alcohol guidance: Navigating Canada's new alcohol guidance | The Breakdown 2 years ago New Canadian health guidance drastically reduces the amount of alcohol consumption that's considered safe. Oncologist Dr. Fawaad Iqbal and substance abuse researcher Tim Naimi help explain the research and why they believe it can save lives. Markus Giesler, a marketing professor at York University's Schulich School of Business, agrees. The marketing and packaging of many high ABV drinks use words like "water," he says, or imagery we'd associate with soft drinks — "drinks that we might associate with quenching our thirst but not necessarily getting drunk." Beyond that, many brands now have a higher percentage version of their original drink — like White Claw, which makes a seven per cent version of their hard seltzers, while the original drink was only five per cent. Giesler says that difference might be hard to miss, especially if shoppers are in a rush, or picking up a few cans quickly on their way to a party. Because brands are changing their marketing so much in an effort to make their ready-to-drink product stand out, marketing professor Marvin Ryder says consumers can't rely on the idea that a single can is a way to measure how much you're drinking. The best antidote to an embarrassing night, he says, is to read the ABV labels on cans before you crack them. "Don't get sucked in by pretty colours or pretty brand names," Ryder said. "Read, be an educated consumer — understand what you're getting in each of these different products, and then have fun."
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Getmyboat & Cutwater Partner to Celebrate Summer
The #1 spirits-based canned cocktail and the world's largest boat rental marketplace join forces for the Cutwater Getmyboat Sweepstakes MENLO PARK, Calif., June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The world's largest boat rental marketplace and the #1 spirits-based canned cocktail brand on the market1 are joining forces to help you enjoy a summer by the water. Getmyboat and Cutwater are teaming up to offer customers, 21+, a chance to win a captained boat charter experience in their preferred location with the Cutwater Getmyboat Sweepstakes. The sweepstakes will launch on June 2nd, 2025, and run through September 7, 2025. Winners will be selected on September 9, 2025. The lucky 21+ winners will work with Getmyboat to find and book a captained boat charter of their choice, up to $3,000 USD. Now is the time to gather your boat squad and enter to win! Getmyboat and Cutwater make enjoying all aspects of the season easy. From stocking a cooler with real, perfectly mixed cocktails to enjoy on the dock to finding the best local boating experiences, it's never been easier to enjoy a summer day. "We are thrilled to come together with Cutwater to celebrate the best part of summer - being by the water with friends and family while enjoying the best, quality refreshments. By offering captained charters, we want our customers to have easy access to the safest, easiest, and fun day possible," noted Jeff Koenig, CMO of Getmyboat. Customers can enter to win starting today at this link. Disclosures for the National Sweepstakes: CUTWATER GETMYBOAT SWEEPSTAKES No Purchase Necessary. Open to US residents 21+. Begins on 6/2/25 and ends on 9/7/25. Visit for free entry and Official Rules. Message and data rates may apply. Void where prohibited. Disclosures for the Regional Sweepstakes: CUTWATER GETMYBOAT REGIONAL SWEEPSTAKES No Purchase Necessary. Open to US residents 21+. Begins on 6/2/25 and ends on 9/7/25. Visit for free entry and Official Rules. Message and data rates may apply. Void where prohibited. 1Source: Circana FY'24 About Getmyboat Getmyboat is the world's largest marketplace for fun, safe, and easy boat rentals of all kinds. Launched in 2013, over 2 million customers have used the platform to get out on the water with 180,000+ boats across 184 countries, and thousands of 5-star reviews for boat owners and captains. You can find a boat to rent and navigate yourself, or browse charters with a professional captain, which account for 70 percent of all Getmyboat trips, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your boat day. Media Contacts Cutwatermedia@ GetmyboatVal Streifval@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Getmyboat Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Forbes
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
SF World Spirits Competition Crowns The World's Top Blanco Tequila
The Blanco Tequila finalists from the 2025 SFWSC Five Tequilas are finalists for the World's Best Blanco Tequila at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The SFWSC is among the world's largest and most prestigious spirit judging events. Consumers and the beverage industry closely follow its results. The Top Shelf 2025 Awards Gala, a highly anticipated whiskey industry event, will announce the winner on November 9 at Hotel Nikko in San Francisco. Below are brief backgrounds and tasting notes on the finalists. The Tequila is crafted using traditional methods: stone/brick ovens for cooking, roller mill extraction, fermentation in stainless steel tanks without fibers, and double distillation in stainless pot stills with copper coils. The Tequila is rested for 15 days in stainless steel tanks before bottling to ensure a smooth palate. On the nose, the Tequila offers aromas of cooked agave, citrus, herbal notes, and a hint of savory character. It's smooth and creamy on the palate, showcasing cooked and green agave, black pepper, subtle caramel, and a trace of earthiness. The finish is long and slightly sweet, with lingering spice notes. Cutwater's Tequila is produced by Orendain, one of Mexico's well-known and historic family distillers. The label features a hand-drawn skull of a Rayador, a Black Skimmer sea bird, which reflects its maritime-inspired branding. Cutwater's Tequilas have been perennial medalists in international spirit competitions. The Tequila presents cooked agave notes of caramel and butterscotch, alongside herbaceous hints of raw agave and cut grass on the nose. The palate exhibits pronounced sweet and caramel flavors of cooked agave. The finish is long and sweet, featuring lingering caramel and herbaceous notes. An Australian-owned brand, Sesión Tequila is produced in Mexico under the supervision of master distiller Francisco Quijano. The Tequila is light and fresh on the nose, with subtle cooked agave, caramel, and spice notes. It's sweet and herbaceous, featuring citrus, both cooked and raw agave, green pepper, and mint. The finish is long, with lingering white pepper notes. Blanco Tequila shots with salt and lime slices Don Vicente Tequila is made at the El Pandillo Distillery in Jesús María in the Jalisco Highlands. Renowned Master Distiller Felipe Camarena crafts it. This high-proof Tequila showcases traditional and innovative production methods, resulting in a robust and flavorful spirit. With an ABV of 54%, it is just under the maximum of 55% ABV allowed for bottling Tequila. The Tequila is aromatic and fruity on the nose, with a crisp, wet stone minerality. It features citrus zest, fresh apple, cooked agave notes of caramel and butterscotch, and herbaceous hints of raw agave. It's earthy and herbaceous on the palate, showcasing damp compost, wet moss/forest floor, chocolate, nuts, and assorted herbal and fruity notes. The finish is smooth, sweet, and fruity, with lingering notes of cooked agave. The Tequila is produced from piñas sourced from the Lowlands (Tequila Valley) and Los Altos (Jalisco Highlands) regions. The Tequila claims to be additive-free, although the CRT doesn't recognize or certify this designation. The Tequila has a fresh and crisp aroma, featuring a slight minerality, both cooked and green agave notes, some earthiness, and hints of tropical fruit and vanilla. The cooked agave notes are more prominent on the palate, accompanied by citrus and tropical fruits, a touch of anise/licorice, and a mild pepperiness. The finish is long and sweet, with lingering citrus, spice notes, and a hint of black pepper. These Blanco Tequilas each present a distinct expression of agave craftsmanship, showcasing their respective distilleries' diverse production and sourcing methods. All five are exceptional and work equally well served neat or as a cocktail base. If you enjoy Blanco Tequila, these five finalists are worth exploring.
