Review: Kimbala Chai
Austin, Texas-based Kimbala is focused on creating authentic RTD chai in both concentrate and RTD formats. The brand also features several coffee based beverages.
BevNET.com Staff
Posts by BevNET.com Staff
Brad Paisley’s Bourbon Is On A Bumpy Ride. And, That’s A Good Thing.
This week, country music superstar Brad Paisley joined the podcast to discuss his foray into the spirits business as the founder of American Highway Reserve, a uniquely crafted, super-premium bourbon. Paisley explained why product positioning was determined as the brand was developed, communicating the production story to consumers, why his name isn’t on the label and his ultimate vision for the bourbon.
Review: Betty Buzz
Betty Buzz is a new line of sparkling beverages created by actress Blake Lively. Positioned as a light, clean-ingredient and low-calorie non-alcoholic alternative to cocktails, the line features five flavors.
Taste Radio: Honest Tea Opened Doors. Its Closure Might Open Even More.
Taste Radio’s hosts discussed Coca-Cola’s decision to discontinue Honest Tea, the brand’s legacy and impact on better-for-you beverage and food companies and what the move might mean for emerging upstarts. They also highlighted recently announced speakers, including top executives from Whole Foods and Kroger, that will be joining the stages at BevNET Live and NOSH Live this summer and chatted about several innovative products that crossed their desks over the past month.
This Week’s New Products: Barista-Designed Oat Milk, Fruity Summer Flavors and Brisk’s First Sparkling Tea
In this week’s roundup of new product launches, Brisk launches its first-ever sparkling tea with Taco Bell, Vita Coco adds juice to its portfolio and cannabis-infused beverage maker Cann introduces new “lite” offerings with zero sugar, plus new plant-based milks for at-home baristas, non-alcoholic cocktails and electrolyte drink mixes.
Innovation Is Critical. But How Far Do You Step Outside The Box? It’s An Empirical Decision.
Lars Williams and Mark Emil Hermansen, the co-founders of experimental distillery and food company Empirical spoke about how they identify and sustainably source high quality – and often unusual – ingredients and turn them into delicious experiences. They also discussed flavor innovation as a means of stimulating memories and why transparency is the priority in marketing.
This Week’s New Products: Candy Flavored Hydration Sticks, Summer Seasonals and Pride-Themed Packaging
In this week’s roundup of new product launches, SUNNYD and Red Bull roll out seasonal favorites in time for summer, GHOST debuts a new hydration stick variety in collaboration with Sour Patch Kids and SOM Sleep shows its support for the LGBTQ+ community with limited-edition Pride Month cans.
Distribution Roundup: Pop-Ups for Pop Brands; BIOLYTE, TEN Expand Across South
Over the brief history of the gut-friendly soda category, much of the competition for new consumers has happened online, where leading brands like Poppi and Olipop have leveraged social media and user-generated content to build their brands. But, at least for the next few weeks, the action is moving offline with Olipop and Poppi both launching pop-up experiential activations in Columbus, Ohio and New York City, respectively.
10 New RTD Cocktails to Sip in the Sunshine
As the sun finally emerges from behind the clouds, ready-to-drink cocktail makers are rolling out new products to sip in the sunshine. Check out this gallery for two new canned cocktails from Post Meridiem, a line of desert waters from Madre Mezcal and new product formats from Red Lady and Corsair Distillery.
Taste Radio: Against All Odds, They Built Against The Grain. A Skrewball Emerged… And Surged.
Brittany Yeng, the co-founder of trendsetting flavored whiskey brand Skrewball explained why an “against the grain” approach has worked for the company, the reason that misjudging people can be both problematic and helpful, why a gut check is a key factor in every decision and how a poor review of the brand early on was a blessing in disguise.
Review: Pricklee Cactus Water Rebrands
Fresh off an appearance on NBC’s Shark Tank, Pricklee Cactus Water, which originally launched as Pricklee Superfruit Water a few years ago, has just launched a substantial rebrand to their core lineup. They’ve also adjusted the formulations since we last reviewed the products in 2019.
New Products: Summer Seasonals, Pride Promotions and Fresh Twists on Lemonade
The summer heat has already hit much of the U.S. and brands are meeting the weather shift with a variety of new beach-friendly flavor extensions, including lemonade-inspired offerings from Monster Energy and Sunwink, seasonal sparkling drinks from Levia and Waterloo, and Pride Month bottles from Pressed.
Review: Vive Organic Immunity Sparkling Drink
Cold-pressed juice shot brand Vive Organic recently announced its first full size RTD product – Immunity Sparkling Drink, a three flavor line of certified organic sparkling beverages packaged in 12 ounce cans. The products have 40-45 calories per can, more than 20% fruit juice, and are enhanced with a cocktail of good-for-you ingredients.
Taste Radio: We’re Psyched About These Things. You Probably Are, Too.
Taste Radio’s hosts reflected on upcoming cultural events and the excitement surrounding NOSH Live and BevNET Live Summer 2022 in New York City. They also riffed on several new and innovative products, including crunchy mushroom chips, gut-health drinks made with upcycled whey, a soda-inspired line of kids’ beverages and cigarette-styled snacks made for “invisible friends.”