Non-alcoholic beverages have always been mass. What’s new is how fast the category is evolving.

From functional benefits and smarter formulations to bolder flavours and entirely new drinking occasions, the pace of change is relentless.. Which is exactly why we’re excited to partner with Beverage and Food Gurus to bring Innovation Degustation to life in New Zealand.

This is global beverage innovation, distilled into one highly drinkable experience.

Taste the world’s most innovative non-alcoholic beverages – all in one place.

Innovation Degustation is an immersive tasting experience designed for people who make, market and launch products for a living.

Attendees will sample thirty curated non-alcoholic beverages from around the world, spanning some of the most talked-about growth areas in FMCG, including:
- Functional beverages
- Protein drinks
- GLP-1-friendly formulations
- Nootropics
- 0% alcohol alternatives
- Hydration and performance-led drinks

Alongside the tasting, attendees will explore the key drivers behind these innovations – from ingredient choices and formulations through to flavour trends and evolving consumer needs.
It’s a rare chance to step out of the day-to-day and get hands-on with what’s shaping the future of the category.

Sharing global innovation, locally.
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We’re excited to be part of Innovation Degustation because its value extends well beyond the room.

Innovation Degustation is about translating that global inspiration into something practical for New Zealand brands. It’s a way to share what we’re seeing internationally, spotlight the ideas that really matter, and help brands think critically about what could actually work here, not just what looks exciting overseas.

‍Trends are inspiring. Launching them blindly is expensive.

A drink can taste great and still miss the mark with consumers. A functional benefit can sound compelling but fail to cut through on shelf. And what works in one market doesn’t automatically translate to another.

Innovation Degustation helps bridge that gap. It gives marketers a sharper instinct for what’s emerging globally, while grounding those ideas in real-world context.

When inspiration is paired with consumer understanding, innovation becomes less about guessing and more about momentum. We’ll pre-testing claims, packaging and sharing what we find. 

See you there!

We’re proud to partner with Beverage and Food Gurus as they launch the first Innovation Degustation and support FMCG brands who want to build smarter, more consumer-led innovation pipelines.

Details

Date: Tuesday 24 March

Time: 10am – 3pm NZDT

Location: The Annex, Auckland

Hosted by: Beverage and Food Gurus