6 trends shaping beverage alcohol
Why does this matter?
Highlights
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Drinkubator
Liquid Ventures Insight Lab - Episode 1
michael.thaney@startupdigestmail.com
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Brighton to host England’s biggest cocktail event of 2026
Why does this matter?
The Brighton Cocktail Festival's custom app for cocktail discovery and bar navigation represents an interesting tech application in beverage events that BevTech founders could learn from for consumer engagement and venue discovery.
Highlights
The southeast coastal city of Brighton will play host to England’
Mark Anthony Group to buy Finnish Long Drink
Why does this matter?
Major acquisition in the booming RTD beverage space shows how successful emerging brands scale through strategic exits, with Finnish Long Drink growing from startup (2018) to 2.6M cases and acquisition by White Claw's parent company.
Highlights
White Claw owner Mark Anthony Group has
Cult Wine stabilisation ‘genuinely encouraging’ following pre-tax losses of £5 million
Why does this matter?
Cult Wine's turnaround shows how a beverage marketplace startup reduced losses from £6.4M to £5M while building AI-powered features and achieving 180% GMV growth with detailed platform metrics that serve as benchmarks for BevTech founders.
Highlights
Cult Wine’s CEO Tom Gearing said
SB meets… Paolo Dalla Mora, Liquid Ventures
Why does this matter?
Europe's first no/low-alcohol venture builder launches with AI-powered insights platform, creating new funding opportunities and revealing strategic whitespace in fast-growing beverage category.
Highlights
As Liquid Ventures officially launches as Europe’s first venture builder focused on the fast‐growing no‐ and low‐alcohol
People will drink in local brewery taprooms if pubs keep ignoring independent beer
Why does this matter?
Independent breweries pivoting to DTC taprooms (46% now have them) represents a significant distribution strategy shift that BevTech founders should understand as they build solutions for craft producers navigating market access challenges.
Highlights
Despite growing consumer demand for independent beer, gaining space in pubs remains restricted.