BevNET.com's Best of 2010

Cinderella sang "Don't know what you've got 'til it's gone." That's certainly what the biggest stories in the beverage world indicated, as the interruption of supply for two products, GTs Kombucha and Four Loko, revealed just how popular they had become.

Obviously, Four Loko isn't in the running for any kind of BevNET's Best of 2010 award - we don't play in "energy malternatives." But the idea that kombucha was going to be a huge story this year was already apparent well before it was pulled from Whole Foods shelves - as early as January, a new crop of companies was entering the category in the hopes of grabbing some of GT's coattails, and more established companies got in the business by early spring.

But the reason why there had been such a rush to get into the space became fully apparent in the late summer, when post-production fermentation issues caused an interruption of the country's supply of GT's Kombucha. It's indicative of the ripeness of the category that even with the still-unsettled nature of the regulations surrounding kombucha that even more brand new companies are still finding ways onto the market - even as GT's returns to the shelves.

Of course, the fallout from edgy functional or alcoholic products weren't the only important beverage stories in 2010; there was also a remarkable revival of quality natural products, like lemonades, teas, CSD's, and the ongoing growth and extension of coconut water, all of which are also expressed in the current crop of Best of 2010s.

Entries in BevNET's Best of 2010 came from the beverage giants and from single SKU startups, but they reflected a strong affinity for quality and innovation. Which goes to show that, while you might not know what you've got until it's gone, if you've got it, and you know it, you should flaunt it - because it might turn out to be The Best.

GT's Kombucha Product of the Year		Mark Rampolla, CEO of ZICO Innovator of the Year
Neuro Best Functional Beverage	Rockstar Recovery Best Energy Drink	New Leaf Lemonade Best New Non-Carbonated Beverage
Hint Best New Enhanced Water	ZICO Pure Premium Coconut Water Best Packaging Design	5-Hour 2:30 Feeling Campaign Best Marketing Campaign Read More »
HOTLIPS Soda Best New Carbonated Beverage	Relaxzen Best New Shot Best Relaxation Beverage	O.N.E. Kids Best Kids' Drink
Sweet Leaf Lemon and Citrus Green Teas Best New Tea	Jones WhoopAss Best Revamp	Pre's Powder Synbiotic Drink Mix Best New Powder/Tablet