Chicago-based craft brewery Goose Island Beer Co. has announced that it will be launching its own line of bourbon-based canned cocktails. According to the company, the decision to enter the ready-to-drink cocktail category comes following the success of its 'Bourbon County Stout' -- a one-of-a-kind whiskey-infused beer.
“We like to say that our team is just as much bourbon drinkers as we are beer drinkers,” said the President of Goose Island Beer Co., Todd Ahsmann. In fact, the brewers at Goose Island have been experimenting with bourbon barrels for the last 30 years.
The new line of whiskey cocktails includes three flavors: 'Old Fashioned High-Ball,' 'Whiskey Sour,' and 'Blackberry Smash.' All three offerings are crafted using three-year-old bourbon from Midwest Grain Products, a distillery based in Indiana.
Image Credit: Goose Island
What's Driving This Trend
- Canned Cocktails
- The ready-to-drink cocktail category is gaining popularity and offers an opportunity for businesses to provide innovative flavor combinations in convenient, portable packaging.
- Bourbon Cocktail Innovation
- Experimenting with unique flavors and ingredients in bourbon-based cocktails presents a chance to stand out in the competitive beverage industry.
- Beer-inspired Cocktails
- Combining the flavors of beer and spirits may appeal to a wider range of drinkers and creates a new category of beverages to explore and innovate.
Who This Affects Most
- Craft Beer
- Breweries can expand their product lines and appeal to a broader audience by experimenting with beer-based cocktail options.
- Spirit Distilleries
- Creating unique blends of bourbon and other spirits in ready-to-drink cocktails can allow distilleries to market to consumers seeking convenience without sacrificing flavor.
- Beverage Manufacturing
- As the demand for ready-to-drink cocktails increases, manufacturers can capitalize on the trend and offer new and innovative flavor combinations for consumers to enjoy.
