Beer bread is being set aside for a moment as beer bagels take the spotlight. Molson Coors’ Blue Moon beer has teamed up with PopUp Bagels to create what they describe as a perfect combination of craft beer and artisanal bagels. Blue Moon beer is infused directly into the bagels, while the brew’s signature Valencia oranges are blended into the cream cheese.
Fans of both beer and bagels can enjoy this limited-time offering by visiting PopUp Bagels locations in New York City and Connecticut. The Blue Moon Beer Bagel and Valencia Orange Cream Cheese are also available for online shipping until Sunday. “Collaborating with PopUp Bagels was an ideal match for the Blue Moon brand, and we seized the opportunity to craft something genuinely unique and tasty together,” said Lindsey Wesloski, a brand manager at Blue Moon, in an email to Food Dive. “While everyone knows about beer bread, there are very few beer bagels out there globally.”
Molson Coors CEO Gavin Hattersley noted last month that Blue Moon is navigating a “challenged segment” due to a downturn in the craft beer market. Although the new bagel pairing may not provide an immediate boost for the brand, it is expected to enhance brand awareness. Wesloski mentioned that while this is Blue Moon’s first bagel partnership, the brand has collaborated with other food partners previously. Last year, Blue Moon teamed up with a bakery to introduce mini pies designed to complement Blue Moon beer.
Molson Coors has a history of promoting its beers through innovative products and partnerships. Earlier this year, the Miller High Life brand collaborated with chocolatier Phillip Ashley to create Miller High Life Bar Snack Truffles, and Coors Light has been featured in unusual products like beer-flavored lollipops and popsicles.
As consumers seek bolder flavors in their food, brands aiming to revitalize their portfolios are leveraging trendy flavors and brand collaborations to attract new customers. Fresh Cravings, a dip maker, is tapping into the demand for spicy and salty options with two new hummus flavors: Tajín Chili Lime and Dill Pickle. The former was developed alongside the chili lime seasoning brand Tajín, featuring a zesty mix of chili peppers, lime, and salt, while the latter offers the tangy taste of pickles with a hint of garlic.
These new flavors join a diverse selection of hummus varieties from the brand, including Honey Jalapeño, Mediterranean, and Lemon Garlic. Fresh Cravings is recognized as the fastest-growing brand in the refrigerated dip category, boasting the highest absolute dollar growth among leading hummus brands, according to a press release citing SPINS data. Their hummus is made with extra virgin olive oil sourced from Chile.
Chickpea-based dips continue to grow in popularity, particularly among health-conscious consumers drawn to Mediterranean cuisine and high-protein foods. The hummus market is projected to reach $10.2 billion globally by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.7%, according to a report by SkyQuest.
Consumers may have noticed an increasing presence of pickle flavor in new products this year, with brands across the CPG sector launching items featuring dill and cucumber, including Kraft Heinz’s latest ketchup and My/Mochi’s pickle-flavored ice cream. A report from Yelp indicates that searches for pickle-flavored products have surged by 55% this year.
In another innovative collaboration, Momo Kombucha, the organic fermented beverage brand, has teamed up with U.K. brewery Orbit Beers to create a non-alcoholic ‘hoppy’ kombucha available in tropical fruit and gooseberry flavors. The limited edition offerings, Hallertau Blanc and Nelson Sauvin, boast a touch of tartness and will be available at Orbit Beers’ tap rooms as well as directly from Momo’s website.
Timed perfectly for Dry January, the companies are appealing to Gen Z’s evolving relationship with alcohol, which has led to a rise in moderation. Nearly one-third of this generation claims they abstain from drinking, fueling the popularity of low and no-alcohol beverages, which reached $11 billion in sales in 2022, according to IWSR, and the category still has significant growth potential.
Meanwhile, kombucha has also experienced growth in recent years. In 2019, the global market was valued at $1.84 billion, with projections to reach $10.45 billion by 2027, according to Fortune Business Insights. Orbit Beers noted that hoppy beers possess a “complex flavor base, combining citrus tones with herbal, earthy notes, making them a fantastic match for fully fermented tart kombucha like Momo’s.” They also expressed admiration for Momo’s traditional brewing methods. “We couldn’t think of a better partner than Orbit Beers… This traditional approach with a flavor-focused modern twist felt like a natural fit for our brewing style,” stated Josh Puddle, co-founder of Momo Kombucha.
As brands in various sectors seek to innovate, they also consider the benefits of ingredients like calcium citrate vs calcium carbonate in their formulations. These ingredients, which play a role in enhancing nutritional content, are becoming increasingly relevant as consumers become more health-conscious and discerning about what they consume.