BevNET.com Staff

Posts by BevNET.com Staff

Six Questions With Mercenary-Strikepoint

Late last year, CPG brand builder Mercenary acquired StrikePoint CPG Accelerator with the aim of creating a next-gen consumer goods accelerator that can develop, scale and commercial brands across a range of natural and better-for-you categories. Led by new venture partner Joey Murray, the $20 million Mercenary Ventures fund will cut checks from $10,000 to $250,000 to pre-revenue and seed-stage brands – including California-based iced tea maker HALFDAY – over the next three years.

This Week’s New Products: Simply Mixology and DRY Soda Co. Liven Up Dry January

As Dry January participants enter their final stretch, this week’s new products gallery features alcohol-free drinks from Simply and DRY Soda Co. which are rolling out nationwide. As well, classic CSD brands introduce new and revamped flavors, Rockstar Energy expands its better-for-you offerings and BodyArmor pays tribute to the troops.

Taste Radio: To Unlock Their Brand’s Full Potential, They Had To Get Uncomfortable

Wholly Veggie co-founders John Bonnell and David Gaucher spoke about how a comprehensive brand brief enabled them to better understand their products’ value to retailers and consumers and the impact of a striking design revamp. They also discussed their adherence to business fundamentals, a challenging environment for private capital and how the most commonly consumed ingredients factor into their innovation strategy.

8 New Whiskeys Debuting This Dry January

Dry January may be in full swing, but that hasn’t stopped spirits brands from rolling out new offerings. In this roundup of new whiskey releases, Fercullen Irish Whiskey makes its U.S. debut and Woodford Reserve unveiled this year’s edition of Double Double Oaked Bourbon.

Taste Radio: More Than A Few Highlights From A ‘Fancy’ Feast

Fresh off the conclusion of the 2023 Winter Fancy Food Show, Taste Radio editor Ray Latif highlighted new, innovative and better-for-you products from over a dozen exhibitors at the annual event, including a plant-centric soup brand, spicy and chewy candy, sunflower seed-based milk, non-alcoholic wine alternatives and gourmet marshmallows.

9 New Beverages Spotted at Winter Fancy Food Show 2023

As the name suggests, its focus may be on food, but this year’s annual Winter Fancy Food Show saw its share of beverage innovation, from ALO debuting its new sparkling juice line, DaoHer adding a new Crème Brûlée flavor to its dessert-inspired boba line and Gutsy branching out from the kombucha set. Scroll down for the full gallery.

Taste Radio: How ‘Patient Urgency’ Helped SmartSweets Land A $360 Million Deal

Tara Bosch, the founder of better-for-you candy brand SmartSweets, explained how prioritizing a lean business model in its early development enabled the company to be nimble and outpace its competitors, why its growth strategy is built around “patient urgency” and how the brand’s highly effective social media strategy drives consumers to its retailers.

Elevator Talk: PARCH, Rejuvenation, Siren Shrub Co., Cantrip, Alaya Tea

Watch founders and CEOs introduce their brands and provide a recap of recent news and updates. This week's special co-host is Amrit Richmond, the founder of IndieCPG and Supermercato Insights, who shared her thoughts, questions and feedback with the participants.