BevNET.com Staff

Posts by BevNET.com Staff

Taste Radio Ep. 159: How SoBe Co-Founder John Bello Spun ‘Sugar Water’ Into Gold

As part of a wide-ranging interview, John Bello discussed the creation and development of SoBe, the lifestyle brand that he co-founded and sold to PepsiCo for nearly $400 million. Bello explained how an era of “healthy hedonism” turned SoBe into a top-seller and why he now describes the products as “sugar water.” He also chronicled his career as a beverage executive and entrepreneur and spoke about his current role as the chairman of ginger-centric soda brand Reed’s.

Taste Radio Insider Ep. 30: The Goal Is To Become a Billion-Dollar Brand

August Vega, the founder and CEO of super-premium nut milk brand MALK, is a “go big or go home” kind of entrepreneur. In an interview included in this episode, she discussed the origins of the brand and why she envisioned MALK becoming a billion-dollar company from the outset. She also explained how MALK has maintained that focus and made strides toward her goal.

Review: Camellia Grove Kombucha

Camellia Grove is a Portland, Ore-based organic kombucha brand. The upstart company currently produces four flavors, each of which uses premium ingredients and is packaged in a 12 oz stubby glass bottle.

Review: Silverback Harvest Gold African Tea

Silverback is a line of carbonated tea beverages that is being positioned as both a healthy energy drink and an alternative to alcohol. The product is currently available in two varieties, Harvest Gold and Classic Silver.

Review: SOUND Tea-Infused Sparkling Water

SOUND, which has been producing sparkling tea beverages for several years, is back with a new product: Tea-Infused Sparkling Water. It’s a four flavor line of USDA Organic, zero-calorie unsweetened beverages that are, as the name suggests, intended to play in the sparkling water category.

Taste Radio Ep. 158: Why Ignorance Is Underrated According To This Successful Entrepreneur

A serial beverage entrepreneur, Joe Heron’s third act is perhaps his most ambitious. Having founded and successfully sold two brands -- functional drink Nutrisoda and Crispin, a line of premium hard ciders -- Heron is now at the helm of Copper & Kings, a brandy-centric distillery. In our interview, Heron explained why “the number one characteristic of an entrepreneur is stupidity,” and why the company “behaves like an incumbent, not a challenger.”

Review: Navitas Organics’ Superfood Wellness Shots with CBD

Announced at Expo West 2019, Navitas Organics’ first ready-to-drink offering is a four flavor line of CBD-enhanced functional shots. Available in Focus, Calm, Restore, and Bliss varieties, the products use added superfoods for both their flavor and additional functionality.

Review: Ugly Adds Two New Flavors

Flavored sparkling water brand Ugly is back with two new flavors: Pink Grapefruit and Pina Colada. The new additions follow the same format and style as the rest of the Ugly lineup and are packaged in bright blue 12 oz cans.

Taste Radio Insider Ep. 29: Why This Two-Second Business Pitch Is So Powerful

In this episode, Chris Hollod, a venture capitalist focused on early-stage consumer brands, discussed his investment philosophy and why digital strategy is at the top of his list when evaluating brands. He also explained why he believes that his job requires him to not only to follow and facilitate innovation, but to predict it.

Review: Granny Squibb’s Charlie’s Cranberry

Granny Squibb’s latest flavor is Charlie’s Cranberry, which comes in both sweetened and unsweetened varieties. These two flavors joint the other four SKUs that are part of the Granny Squibb’s lineup.

Review: Aloha Goes RTD

Aloha is a company that has, until now, built its brand selling plant-based protein bars and powders. At Expo West 2019 they officially made the jump into the ready-to-drink game with this product, Aloha Organic Protein Drink.

Elevator Talk: Up To Good’s Sparking Energy Drink Upcycles Cascara

Andrew Aussie is the president of Up to Good, a beverage company that is upcycling coffee waste to offer a unique energy drink. The beverage is brewed with cascara, the coffee cherry, which is normally disposed of in coffee processing. The brand believes its sustainable focus, direct trade practices and mission to give back to coffee farmers will resonate with millennials.

Review: Vital Proteins Collagen Water

Vital Proteins has been marketing collagen enhanced products in various forms since the company launched several years ago. However, ready-to-drink has not been one of those formats -- until now.