As the craze of earnings season draws to a close, here's a look back at some of the most exciting (and some less so) results from Q4. Today, we are looking at beverages and alcohol stocks, starting with Vita Coco (NASDAQ:COCO).

These companies' performance is influenced by brand strength, marketing strategies, and shifts in consumer preferences. Changing consumption patterns are particularly relevant and can be seen in the explosion of alcoholic craft beer drinks or the steady decline of non-alcoholic sugary sodas. Companies that spend on innovation to meet consumers where they are with regards to trends can reap huge demand benefits while those who ignore trends can see stagnant volumes. Finally, with the advent of the social media, the cost of starting a brand from scratch is much lower, meaning that new entrants can chip away at the market shares of established players.

The 14 beverages and alcohol stocks we track reported a weaker Q4; on average, revenues were in line with analyst consensus estimates. while next quarter's revenue guidance was 20.2% below consensus. Stocks have been under pressure as inflation (despite slowing) makes their long-dated profits less valuable, but beverages and alcohol stocks held their ground better than others, with share prices down 2.7% on average since the previous earnings results.

Best Q4: Vita Coco (NASDAQ:COCO)

Founded in 2004 followed by a 2021 IPO, The Vita Coco Company (NASDAQ:COCO) offers coconut water products that are a natural way to quench thirst.

Vita Coco reported revenues of $106.1 million, up 15.4% year on year, topping analyst expectations by 7%. It was a very strong quarter for the company, with an impressive beat of analysts' earnings and revenue estimates. On the other hand, its full-year revenue guidance was underwhelming. However, adjusted EBITDA guidance came in ahead, which is sure to blunt the impact of the below-Consensus revenue guidance.

Martin Roper, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are extremely pleased with this year's results with 15% net sales growth, Net Income of $47 million, and Adjusted EBITDA1 of $68 million, which were all at the high end of our expectations. The coconut water category is healthy and our team continues to deliver strong results across our major markets as we gain branded share and benefit from our private label coconut water supply relationships. We expect our full year 2024 net sales to be between $495 and $505 million, driven by healthy coconut water volume growth, offset by the loss of some of our private label coconut oil business. While the macro environment remains very dynamic, we expect 2024 Adjusted EBITDA2 to be between $74 and $78 million. We remain focused on driving long term growth of the coconut water category and our brands.”

Vita Coco pulled off the biggest analyst estimates beat and highest full-year guidance raise of the whole group. The stock is up 12.3% since the results and currently trades at $25.18.

Is now the time to buy Vita Coco? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it's free.

Celsius (NASDAQ:CELH)

With its proprietary MetaPlus formula as the basis for key products, Celsius (NASDAQ:CELH) offers energy drinks that feature natural ingredients to help in fitness and weight management.

Celsius reported revenues of $347.4 million, up 95.2% year on year, outperforming analyst expectations by 4.8%. It was a strong quarter for the company, with an impressive beat of analysts' revenue estimates and a decent beat of analysts' earnings estimates.

Celsius achieved the fastest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 25.5% since the results and currently trades at $84.95.

Is now the time to buy Celsius? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it's free.

Weakest Q4: Boston Beer (NYSE:SAM)

Known for its flavorful beverages challenging the status quo, Boston Beer (NYSE:SAM) is a pioneer in craft brewing and a symbol of American innovation in the alcoholic beverage industry.

Boston Beer reported revenues of $393.7 million, down 12% year on year, falling short of analyst expectations by 4.8%. It was a weak quarter for the company, with a miss of analysts' revenue estimates.

Boston Beer had the slowest revenue growth in the group. The stock is down 21% since the results and currently trades at $292.

Read our full analysis of Boston Beer's results here.

Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ)

With a presence in more than 100 countries, Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ) is a globally renowned producer and marketer of beer, wine, and spirits.

Constellation Brands reported revenues of $2.47 billion, up 1.4% year on year, falling short of analyst expectations by 2.6%. It was a weak quarter for the company, with underwhelming earnings guidance for the full year.

The stock is up 8.1% since the results and currently trades at $262.

Read our full, actionable report on Constellation Brands here, it's free.

MGP Ingredients (NASDAQ:MGPI)

Headquartered in Atchison, Kansas, MGP Ingredients (NASDAQGS:MGPI) is a leading supplier of high-quality ingredients to the food and beverage industry

MGP Ingredients reported revenues of $214.9 million, up 12.5% year on year, surpassing analyst expectations by 4.6%. It was a decent quarter for the company, with an impressive beat of analysts' gross margin estimates but full-year revenue guidance missing analysts' expectations.

MGP Ingredients had the weakest full-year guidance update among its peers. The stock is down 11.2% since the results and currently trades at $81.67.

Read our full, actionable report on MGP Ingredients here, it's free.

Join Paid Stock Investor Research

Help us make StockStory more helpful to investors like yourself. Join our paid user research session and receive a $50 Amazon gift card for your opinions. Sign up here.