In an interview at the NACS 2018 show, which was held Oct. 7-10 in Las Vegas, Jared Smith, the VP of Sales for beverage developer and incubator Stratus Group, which markets canned kombucha maker KÖE and alkaline water brand Perfect Hydration, said that while the brand’s shelf-stability may be attractive to current kombucha drinkers, the products are specifically formulated to attract new consumers to the category.

In BevNET's second gallery of new products from the show, we highlight some notable new launches across water of all types, as well as a handful of products such as Dr Pepper's new limited offering, fruit smoothies from Simply and Ripple's entry into the plant-based protein drink arena. For more new products featured at NACS, see our first slideshow.

Bend, Ore.-based Riff Cold Brewed Coffee today announced it has raised $1 million in an angel round of investment from a “who’s who” group of Oregon technology and consumer products executives.

Speaking with BevNET at the NACS show, Susan Gambardella, vice president of convenience retail for Coca-Cola North America, explained how the company is implementing its “total beverage” strategy within the C-store channel.

The Los Angeles-based brand, which officially launches exclusively on Amazon today, uses a ring around the neck of each 20 oz BPA free PET bottle made from a polymer infused with natural oils that replicate the experience of drinking flavored water -- without the use of any additives to the liquid itself