Alcohol Industry Trends 2021: Why Small Spirit Brands are Getting Popular?

For the last five years, there has been a huge increase in small spirit brands. New alcohol distilleries pop up almost every day. Some of them vanish as fast as they appeared, and some of them reach their ideal customers and are pretty successful. What is the secret of small spirit brands popularity? Why do people buy their products? We tried to figure this out and identified three reasons why small alcohol brands are in trend now. 

Reason 1. Quality is the key

Quality beats quantity, modern people want to drink less but to drink good alcohol, made with the best ingredients. And new brands are creating their small-batch editions to give those people exactly what they are looking for.  No artificial sweeteners, no sugar, vegan, gluten-free  — these claims you can meet now on their labels.

When people can’t find a good alternative, they create their own liquors, which are light and refreshing, made with the best ingredients, and pure spring water. That’s how brands such as Whisp and Served Drinks, appeared. They are making delicious hard seltzers which contain nothing but fresh fruits, high-quality spirit, and water.

Other spirits are no exception. For instance, Brighton Gin is produced with locally grown ingredients, it is 100% vegan, and gluten-free. Guys from Warner’s Distillery are handpicking raspberries, elderflower, and other ingredients of their gins from local hedgerows. 

Reason 2. Customers expect something new

People are interested in new brands because they are looking for an alternative, some of them need zero alcohol spirits, whilst others are interested in low calorie and gluten-free variations of their favourite drinks. Moreover, customers have an addiction to everything brand new that hits the market. But we have noticed one more tendency, that spurs customers  into buying form less known brands. People are interested in both bottles and the story behind those spirits. Why did they appear on the market? What are their values? The answers to these questions are important for potential customers. Why? Because people love stories and the more fascinating story you tell, the more people will be interested in your product. 

Obviously, small spirit makers are happy to share their stories with shoppers. You can easily buy a distillery tour and see how Cotswold’s whisky or Brighton Gin is made. By purchasing the Tarsier Spirits Gin&Cocktail Tasting Experience, you receive drinks and video experience, so that you can take a virtual trip to Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and the Philippines with the founders of the brand. Every year Warner's Distillery runs a Sloe Swap on Falls Farm and you can come to handpick some sloe berries and exchange them for a bottle of their Sloe Gin! Independent makers are building trust-based relations with their customers and people appreciate it. 

One more important thing we have noticed, it that small alcohol brands are trying to give back, not just take. The makers are donating to environmental organizations, collaborating with local producers to help them grow, and doing much more to help those in need. For example, Brighton Gin in partnership with the local skincare producer has launched hand sanitiser to help local foundations during this hard pandemic time. Every time you buy a bottle of Sapling vodka, they plant a tree. Tarsier Spirits are donating 10% of their profits to conservation projects in Southeast Asia. Avallen Calvados donates 0.50 euro from every bottle you buy to bees protecting organisations. All these initiatives from the brands make their customers involved in saving and caring about our planet and we think it is beautiful. 

Reason 3. Small spirits brands are offering new tastes and implementing innovations

Independent spirit brands are appealing to the growing demand for something unique, exclusive, and original. The majority of the modern makers are thinking outside the box, creating amazing liquors that people fall in love with. They implement new ways of production, make spirits we’ve never heard before and develop extraordinary flavours. 

For example, Warner’s Distillery made the world’s first Rhubarb Gin, fellows from Black Cow Vodka distill their spirit from, guess what… yep, milk. Or take, for instance, famous non-alcoholic spirit brands such as Caleno and Everleaf. They are making wonderful zero booze alternatives for those who don’t drink alcohol. 

In a nutshell...

So, we tried to understand why there is such a fuss about small spirit producers. Three main reasons that we identified are:

  • the main accent on quality, not quantity;
  • giving customers new experiences;
  • thinking outside the box, creating new tastes and implementing innovations.
Spirit drinkers are demanding more from brands, in terms of the brand story, quality, and flavours. In their turn, small brands are doing their best to meet these demands and be even better than they are expected to be. And we think it’s beautiful. 

Lassou is the marketplace for all these unique independent spirits. We are creating an environment where brands can tell their story, reach more people, and sell their exclusive products. If you are a small spirit brand, then welcome on board, sell on Lassou and find your ideal customer here. If you are looking for exclusive alcohol — explore our range of spirits. We have a lot of amazing goodies for you!

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