Summer marks the beginning of grilling season, and Pringles has partnered with Miller Lite to launch new flavors inspired by cookout favorites. Kellanova has unveiled the Pringles x Miller Lite Grilled Beer Brat, featuring hints of black pepper and caramelized onion, combined with a “hoppy, malt beer aroma.” This new flavor is released alongside the Pringles x Miller Lite Beer Can Chicken, which Kellanova previewed in February as part of a Super Bowl-themed promotion. The Beer Can Chicken flavor includes the tastes of roasted chicken, garlic, onion, and, naturally, Miller Lite beer. Both flavors will be available at retailers across the country in May for a limited time.
“Regardless of your grilling skills, who doesn’t enjoy a beer and crisps as a summer snack?” stated Ann Legan, vice president of marketing at Miller Family of Brands. “We know fans love incorporating Miller Lite’s iconic flavor into grilled favorites, so it felt like a natural fit to create these savory snacks with Pringles for summer backyard barbecues.”
As alcohol consumption declines, many companies are looking to provide consumers with the flavors of alcoholic beverages without the buzz. For years, Molson Coors has collaborated with food brands on unique products, including Miller High Life chocolates and Blue Moon-infused ice cream and bagels.
Meanwhile, Kraft Heinz is embracing the summer vibe with a new smoky barbecue flavor for its Mac & Cheese, while also preparing to launch new innovations for its snackable cups. The food giant noted that mac & cheese has long been a popular barbecue side dish, whether at home or in restaurants. The new flavor combines smoky and sweet barbecue spices with Kraft’s signature cheesy, buttery taste and will be available through mid-summer.
With Gen Z and other consumers snacking more frequently, Kraft Heinz is focusing on innovation in microwavable snack cups. They are introducing Jalapeño and Ranch flavors, alongside a return of the Everything Bagel flavor in Walmart this summer. The shelf-stable mac & cheese market represents a massive $2.9 billion category, with significant growth opportunities projected for the near future.
In another development, Hormel and Signature Wafer & Chocolate Co. are expanding their partnership to enhance the Skippy peanut butter-infused wafer bars. They have announced new flavors, including Banana and Strawberry Jelly, topped with dried banana and strawberry, respectively. These join a reformulated version of the original Peanut Butter & Chocolate Fudge Wafer Bar, which features chocolate chips. The new flavors will launch at Walmart as part of a “significant retail expansion.”
“Skippy has demonstrated strong performance in existing channels, and this move positions us for further growth with a product lineup that resonates with today’s snack consumers,” said Russ Asaro, executive vice president at Signature Wafer & Chocolate Co. Skippy has been a valuable asset for Hormel since its acquisition from Unilever for $700 million in 2013, with CEO Jim Snee noting the brand’s sales growth in a recent earnings call. Wafer bars are increasingly popular as consumers seek more value from their snacks, with Nature Valley introducing its own version in 2019, combining peanut butter and chocolate, and expanding to flavors like Lemon and Strawberry.
In addition to these developments, Costco has also seen a rise in demand for products like citrate calcium, which can be used in various food applications, reflecting consumer interest in health-conscious snacks. As the market for innovative snacking continues to evolve, brands are adapting to meet the changing preferences of consumers.