IWSR research finds Gen Z drinks at population rate. New IWSR consumer data indicates Gen Z drinks at close to the same rate as the wider adult population, cutting against a generational-abstinence assumption embedded in many brand plans. (The Drinks Business, The Spirits Business, Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News)

June CPI: beer prices up 3.1% on- and off-premise. BLS data shows beer pricing tracking close to headline inflation while the rest of beverage-alcohol lags it, a split that reads through to pricing and margin planning. (Brewbound)

NIQ scans show small July 4 lift, sales still negative. Off-premise beverage-alcohol sales stayed in the red through the Fourth of July despite the US 250th-anniversary holiday, according to NIQ's latest weekly read. (Brewbound)

Also moving today:

Mich Ultra, High Noon & Mexican Imports Are Winning the World Cup in the On-Premise, per BeerBoard (Brewbound)

M&A Activity For Scaled RTD Brands Expected to Ramp Up (BevNET)

Trade groups challenge Oregon’s EPR over glass fees (The Spirits Business)

La Martiniquaise-Bardinet buys non-alc brand Sir James 101 outright (Just Drinks, The Spirits Business, Drinks International)

RNDC wind-down disrupts spirits distribution. The near-complete unwinding of national distributor RNDC is rippling through the three-tier system, with suppliers reported to be chasing owed payments and lining up new routes to market. (Brewbound, BevNET)

Modelo, Michelob, Busch led July 4 beer gains. Circana's weekly off-premise scans point to brand-level beer gainers over the Fourth of July even as total bev-alc volumes stayed roughly flat. (Brewbound)

Bill proposes federal framework for hemp beverages. The Goodness of Hemp Act would establish federal rules for hemp drinks, which backers say could pre-empt restrictions slated to take effect in November. (Brewbound, BevNet)

French heat could cut Champagne yields 10%. Prolonged heat and drought could reduce Champagne yields by around 10% and pull harvests earlier, a supply factor for the category, growers say. (The Drinks Business)

Also moving today:

Champagne Rebounds In The U.S. (Shanken News Daily)

Super-premium Tequila faces 5% drop by 2030 (The Spirits Business)

Grolsch owner Asahi adds Gulpener to Dutch stable (Just Drinks)

South Korea lines up changes to alcohol warning labels (Just Drinks)

Cutwater, Surfside Lead Bev-Alc Growth Brands; El Jimador New Mix and Suntory -196 Among RTDs to Watch, per Bump Williams (Brewbound)

Viva Wine Group receives takeover bid from shareholder consortium (Just Drinks)