Beer to go high brow in 2013: trend report

Craft beer menus curated for fine dining restaurants, sweet wines like Moscato and keg wines are among some of the beverage trends predicted to shape the way consumers drink in 2013.

That’s according to market research group Technomic, which released its forecast this week on how consumers in the US will be wetting their whistle next year, a list that augurs a push towards increased innovation.

Here are a few highlights from Technomic’s top 10 list of beverage trends for 2013:

Sweet wines
The thirst for sweeter wines will be driven largely by Millennials, says Technomic, with more bottles of Moscato and pink bubbly, for instance, showing up on menus across the country.

Beer, it’s not just for the pub anymore
High-end restaurants are recognizing beer’s “food-friendly” nature and drawing up extensive beer menus to pair with their meals in the same way wine lists are curated.

Cider
A hard sell by the cider industry and new flavored varieties like apple cranberry, raspberry and pear will drive growth in restaurants and retail in this undervalued segment of the adult beverage industry.

Flavored spirits
While vodka has long been used as a flavor vehicle, particularly of the confectionery and cake variety, look for “unexpected flavors in unexpected places” to crop up even more in 2013. Recently, for example, Canadian whisky maker Crown Royal released a maple-flavored whisky. Vodkas that play with both sweet and savory flavors are also expected to trend.

New drinks on tap
There will be a crossover from the beer and wine world next year, in which beer becomes an acceptable beverage choice at a fine dining restaurant, and kegs an acceptable method of delivery for wine. Similarly, look for cocktails and spirits put on tap.

Digital drinks
Retailers and restaurants alike will be presenting wine, cocktails and beer increasingly on digital tablets. Likewise, consumers will be able to look up and rate products on their smartphones via QR codes.