Sun Cruiser to Become Official Ready-to-Drink Cocktail of the U.S. Open and U.S. Women's Open Presented by Ally
MWN-AI** Summary
On March 10, 2026, Sun Cruiser, a vodka iced tea brand owned by The Boston Beer Company, announced a multi-year partnership with the United States Golf Association (USGA) to become the Official Ready-to-Drink Cocktail for prominent golf events, specifically the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open Presented by Ally. This partnership marks a significant step for both brands, integrating Sun Cruiser into the USGA’s premier championships through various on-site activations and hospitality services while boosting promotional efforts across retail and social media platforms.
Sun Cruiser's debut will occur during the USGA’s 2026 season, starting with the U.S. Women’s Open at the renowned Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, and then at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York. Jon Podany, the USGA's chief commercial officer, emphasized the alignment of Sun Cruiser’s refreshing image with the evolving championship experience for modern fans. The partnership enhances hospitality offerings by introducing a premium beverage choice, responding to a growing market for ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails.
Sun Cruiser is recognized for its variety of flavors, including Classic Iced Tea, Peach Iced Tea, and several lemonade blends, all crafted with real ingredients and premium vodka. Carrying just 100 calories and 4.5% ABV per serving, the drinks cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for a light and refreshing option, particularly for golf outings.
The rapid growth of RTD cocktails signifies a shift in consumer preferences toward convenience and quality, with Sun Cruiser emerging as one of the fastest-growing brands in the sector. Both championships now offer tickets for purchase on their respective websites, marking an exciting collaboration for golf fans and beverage enthusiasts alike.
MWN-AI** Analysis
The recent announcement of Sun Cruiser being named the Official Ready-to-Drink Cocktail of the U.S. Open and the U.S. Women’s Open marks a pivotal moment for the brand and The Boston Beer Company. This multi-year partnership positions Sun Cruiser in front of a vast audience of golf enthusiasts, allowing for significant brand exposure and engagement through strategic on-site activations and hospitality offerings.
With the growing trend of ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails, Sun Cruiser is set to benefit from a shift in consumer preferences toward convenience and premium experiences. Its positioning as a refreshing option with real ingredients appeals to a demographic that values quality and enjoyment, especially in outdoor settings like golf courses. As such, investors should closely monitor Sun Cruiser's market penetration and sales trajectory following this strategic move.
Given the U.S. Open's status as one of golf’s premier events, the potential for increased brand visibility and consumer engagement is immense. The partnership aligns with the rapid growth seen in the RTD segment, making this a timely entry point into a lucrative market. With Sun Cruiser being the fastest-moving RTD in on-premise venues, it suggests strong consumer acceptance and loyalty, which could see further growth as the brand gains traction in high-profile environments.
For investors, it's advisable to keep an eye on not just sales figures but also market share dynamics in the RTD sector post-announcement. Watching how the sponsorship translates to on-site sales at the tournaments could offer insights into customer behavior and the effectiveness of their promotional strategies. Overall, the future looks promising for Sun Cruiser, and it may well continue to capture market share in this fast-evolving category.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
BOSTON, March 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sun Cruiser, the fast-growing vodka iced tea brand made by The Boston Beer Company, and the USGA today announced a multi-year partnership, making Sun Cruiser the Official Ready-to-Drink Cocktail of two of golf’s most notable championships, the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open Presented by Ally.
The newly launched national partnership will see Sun Cruiser integrated into the USGA's two flagship championships through on-site activations and in hospitality spaces, while Sun Cruiser will help promote the championships across retail, social and beyond.
Sun Cruiser will debut during the USGA’s 2026 championship season, beginning at the U.S. Women’s Open at the iconic Riviera Country Club, in Pacific Palisades, Calif. and, 100 days from today, at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, in Southampton, N.Y., the only club to have hosted the championship in three different centuries.
“We’re excited to welcome Sun Cruiser as the Official Ready-To-Drink Cocktail of our two flagship championships,” said Jon Podany, chief commercial officer at the USGA. “Sun Cruiser’s rapid growth and refreshing approach align perfectly with how we continue to evolve the championship experience for today’s fans. This partnership enhances our concession and hospitality offerings while bringing a modern, premium beverage option to two of the most iconic stages in golf.”
Sun Cruiser’s lineup of ready?to?drink iced teas and lemonades is crafted with premium vodka and real ingredients, with no bubbles for smooth, all-day sipping. Balanced and refreshing, Sun Cruiser is an easy choice for any outdoor moment in the sun, especially for a round of golf.
“Since launching Sun Cruiser, we’ve seen drinkers naturally bring it along for a day out on the golf course,” said Erica Taylor, senior brand director for Sun Cruiser. “Teaming up with the USGA’s two flagship championships lets us meet golfers where they already are, whether they’re casual players or diehard fans, because those fun, memorable moments on the course are exactly what Sun Cruiser was made for.”
Ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails are one of the fastest-growing segments in the global alcoholic beverage market, driven by shifting consumer preferences toward convenience, premium flavors, and on-the-go consumption. Sun Cruiser is now the fastest-moving RTD in on-premise (bars and restaurants) locations nationwide and has become the fourth-largest overall RTD spirit offering.
Tickets for both championships are now available at uswomensopen.com and usopen.com.
About Sun Cruiser
Made for those who enjoy the sun on their face and hanging outdoors with friends, Sun Cruiser Iced Tea & Vodka and Sun Cruiser Lemonade & Vodka are made with real ingredients and premium vodka for a perfect choice to sip and share. At just 100 calories, 4.5% ABV per 12 oz serving, 1 gram of sugar, and no bubbles to weigh you down, Sun Cruiser has just a kiss of sweetness and tastes refreshingly smooth in a mix of delicious flavors. Drinkers can enjoy a variety of Sun Cruiser flavors, including Classic Iced Tea, Peach Iced Tea, Raspberry Iced Tea, Lemonade + Iced Tea, Lemonade, Pink Lemonade, Blueberry Lemonde and Strawberry Lemonade. For more information, follow along on social @DrinkSunCruiser and visit us at drinksuncruiser.com.
About The Boston Beer Company
The Boston Beer Company, Inc. began in 1984 brewing Samuel Adams beer and has since grown to become one of the largest and most respected craft brewers in the United States. We consistently offer the highest-quality products to our drinkers, and we apply what we’ve learned from making great-tasting craft beer to making great-tasting and innovative “beyond beer” products. Boston Beer Company has pioneered not only craft beer but also hard cider, hard seltzer, and hard tea. Our core brands include household names like Angry Orchard Hard Cider, Dogfish Head, Samuel Adams, Sun Cruiser, Truly Hard Seltzer, and Twisted Tea Hard Iced Tea. We have taprooms and hospitality locations in Delaware, Massachusetts, New York, and Ohio. For more information, please visit our website at bostonbeer.com, which includes links to our respective brand websites.
About the USGA
The USGA is a mission-based golf organization whose purpose is to unify the golf community through handicapping and grassroots programs; to showcase the game’s best talent through the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open Presented by Ally and 13 other national championships and our museum; to provide unbiased global governance with The R&A through the playing, equipment and Amateur Status rules; and to advance issues important to golf’s future, with a focus on driving sustainability, accessibility and inclusion. The USGA also manages day-to-day operations for the U.S. National Development Program, the country's first unified pathway for American talent, and the World Golf Hall of Fame, preserving and celebrating the legacies of the game’s greatest figures. As a nonprofit association, our work and our team are driven to act for the good of the game. For more, visit usga.org.
Contact:
Taylor Jette
Sun Cruiser Iced Tea & Vodka
Elizabeth Walter
Golin
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FAQ**
How will the multi-year partnership between Sun Cruiser and the USGA impact Boston Beer Company Inc. SAM's overall sales and market share in the rapidly growing RTD cocktail segment?
What specific marketing strategies does Boston Beer Company Inc. SAM plan to implement to leverage the visibility gained from the partnership with the USGA during the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open?
Given Sun Cruiser's current position as a top RTD spirit, how does Boston Beer Company Inc. SAM intend to maintain this momentum in an increasingly competitive market?
How does the partnership with the USGA align with Boston Beer Company Inc. SAM's broader mission of promoting sustainability and inclusion within the alcohol beverage industry?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Boston Beer Company Inc. (NYSE: SAM).
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