Asahi
Asahi Enters South Korea With New Clear Highball RTD
LOTTE Asahi Liquor Co. is launching Asahi CLEAR HIGHBALL in South Korea on April 8, the first time Asahi has introduced branded canned RTDs. The 350ml canned cocktail is made with whisky and soda water at 5% ABV and features a yuzu aroma, in two variants: Original and Lemon. South Korea’s RTD market grew approximately fourfold between 2020 and 2024 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 10% between 2024 and 2029, according to one source. CLEAR HIGHBALL is part of Asahi Group’s Beer Adjacent Categories strategy and Asahi aims to develop it into a global RTD brand.
Asahi Launches New Gold Beer After Cyberattack Recovery
Asahi Breweries is launching Asahi Gold, a new beer product, on April 14 as part of its recovery from a cyberattack that caused a system failure last September, an attack that significantly reduced the company’s shipments. Asahi Gold contains around 150% more malt than previous products and is positioned as distinct from the flagship Asahi Super Dry. Shipments are expected to fully resume in April.
Brands
Carlsberg Britvic Launches Greek Lager Mythos In UK Retail
Carlsberg Britvic brings Greek-style lager Mythos to UK retail, positioning it as the only Greek-inspired lager available in that market. Initially available at Tesco stores and Booker depots from March 18, a wider rollout across grocery, convenience and impulse channels is scheduled for later in the year. It’s available in multiple formats, including a 660ml bottle, a four-pack and a 10-pack of cans.
Britvic
J2O Extends Range With New Sparkling Canned Formats
Carlsberg Britvic’s J2O range now has a sparkling line, in Apple & Raspberry and Apple & Mango flavors, packaged in 330ml cans as singles and multipacks. The Orange & Passion Fruit still variant will also be introduced in a 330ml can format. Carly Sims from Carlsberg Britvic said the range offers a premium option suited to everyday gatherings and relaxing occasions at home.
Carlsberg
Lipton Ice Tea Launches Mango Passionfruit Tropical Variant
Carlsberg Britvic launched a Tropical variant of Lipton Ice Tea for the UK market, blending mango and passionfruit flavors. Produced and distributed in the UK by Carlsberg Britvic under license from PepsiCo, the product is rolling out across grocery and convenience channels in 500ml bottles, 500ml price-marked packs and 1.25L bottles. It targets younger consumers and broader consumption occasions, from meal deals to at-home use.
Tango Sours Zero-Sugar Range Targets UK Gen Z Consumers
Carlsberg Britvic’s new Tango Sours is a zero-sugar range under the Tango brand, available in Watermelon and Tropical variants and described as delivering intense flavor with a sour twist. Tango Sours features packaging aligned with the brand’s new visual identity, revealed in January, and is designed to appeal particularly to Gen Z consumers. The range rolls out across UK retail in two initial formats: a 4x330ml multipack and a 1.5L bottle. A 500ml bottle format is expected to follow in May.
Companies
Lotte Chilsung’s Crush Beer Exports Surge 90% In Mongolia
Lotte Chilsung Beverage reports that its Crush beer exports to Mongolia grew 90% year-on-year in 2024, contributing to an approximately 40% increase in the company’s total global beer exports for the year. Crush entered the Mongolian market in 2024 and is sold at around 2,000 stores, including hypermarkets and convenience stores in Ulaanbaatar and surrounding areas. Lotte Chilsung plans to expand its consumer outreach and promotional activities in Mongolia through 2026.
Lotte Chilsung Introduces 100% Recycled Plastic Cider PET Bottle
Lotte Chilsung Beverage released a 500ml Chilsung Cider PET bottle made entirely from recycled plastic resin, which it claims is the first product of its kind in South Korea. It’s intended to meet the requirements of South Korea’s Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources, which mandates that large PET bottle manufacturers use at least 10% recycled plastic resin. Lotte Chilsung estimates the move will reduce approximately 2,200 tons of plastic and 2,900 tons of carbon emissions annually. The bottle also features a redesigned angular shape with embossed patterns.
Lotte
Lotte Chilsung Launches Pineapple Flavor Hot Six Energy Drink
Lotte Chilsung Beverage’s Hot Six The King Pine Burst is a new energy drink containing 1,000 mg of taurine and 10% pineapple juice. It’s the ninth item in the Hot Six The King lineup, which also includes variants such as The King Power, The King Force and The King Zero.
RJ Corp
Varun Beverages To Acquire South African Dairy Company Crickley
Varun Beverages agreed to acquire South Africa’s Crickley Dairy from Clark Holdings for R238 million. The transaction is being made through its subsidiary The Beverage Company and is described in a regulatory filing as part of a strategy to diversify into value-added dairy and juice-based drinks. Founded in 1984, Crickley Dairy produces milk, cheese, yogurt, and soft drinks sold at retailers including Pick n Pay, Shoprite and Spar.
Suntory
Lucozade Energy Grafruitti Permanently Relaunched In Zero Sugar Format
Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I is permanently relaunching Lucozade Energy Grafruitti as a zero-sugar product from April 1, in 500ml and 900ml formats across grocery, convenience, wholesale and e-commerce. Combining mixed berries, citrus and an “exotic twist”, it was launched as a special edition in 2015. The relaunch is supported by a £2.3 million campaign titled “Back for the Believers,” incorporating social media, out-of-home advertising, in-store promotions and influencer activity. Brand director Adrian O’Brien said the flavor was brought back due to consumer demand.
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