Brad Avery

Brad Avery

Senior Reporter

Brad is a Reporter for BevNET.com.

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Posts by Brad Avery

CELSIUS Reports ‘Record’ First Quarter Despite Headwinds

Fitness-focused functional beverage brand CELSIUS announced first quarter revenue growth of 78% to $50 million in an earnings report today, reflecting a “record” sales period despite several headwinds caused by pandemic-related shockwaves.

Droplet Claims “Corporate Plagiarism” Against PepsiCo’s Soulboost

Adaptogenic beverage startup Droplet accused PepsiCo of “corporate plagiarism” in an Instagram post this weekend, claiming the conglomerate’s new Soulboost brand “blatantly” lifts its concept and brand identity. PepsiCo has denied all allegations.

Distribution Roundup: Unity Wellness Expands DSD Reach; Reed’s Debuts Resealable Format

In this week's Distribution Roundup, CBD beverage maker Unity Wellness doubles its nationwide distribution, partnering with several new DSD distributors including Legacy Distribution Group in Colorado and Lipman Brothers in Tennessee. Plus: updates from Reed's, Costa Brava Cocktails, Waterloo, BIOLYTE, Pivot Cold Brew and more.

BellRing Brands To Narrow Focus on Beverage

BellRing Brands, the holding company for Post Consumer Brands’s nutrition entities, including Premier Protein and Dymatize, reported a net sales increase of 9.6% to $282.1 million for the second fiscal quarter ending March 31, according to the company’s earnings report last week.

DELOCE Raises $1.5M in Seed Round Led by Vice Ventures

DELOCE, a California-based maker of ready-to-drink espresso martinis, announced last week that it has closed a $1.5 million series seed round led by Vice Ventures. Founded in 2019 by CEO Sean Zoka and CMO Keaton Moody, DELOCE makes a canned Espresso Martini made with 100% cold-pressed arabica espresso beans and premium vodka.

Aloha Looks to “Provide Options” with rPET Bottle, Iced Coffee Launch

Plant-based protein brand Aloha is getting ready to become a more serious beverage player. The Colorado-based, plant-based CPG brand, which makes bars, powders and protein drinks, announced this week a line extension of its ready-to-drink beverages, adding new rPET plastic-packaged variations of its core flavors.

Rowdy Energy Raises $13M

Rowdy Energy announced today that it has raised $13 million in a fundraising round intended to shore up the brand’s marketing initiatives and finance new innovation. Launched last year, Rowdy Energy is a better-for-you energy brand founded by CEO and Suja founder Jeff Church and NASCAR star Kyle Busch.

Roar Organic Announces Brand Refresh, Charts New Retail Strategy

One year after brand investment firm Factory acquired an equity stake in Roar Organic, the company, under new leadership, is using a redesigned and reformulated RTD line to deepen its presence at natural retailers while it takes on ecommerce with its similarly refreshed powder mixes.

PepsiCo Debuts Functional Sparkling Water Brand Soulboost

Soulboost is a sparkling water brand made with real juice and functional ingredients. The drink is available in two varieties: first is Lift, which contains 200 mg of panax ginseng, the other, Ease, is made with 200 mg of L-theanine to support relaxation.

Maple Hill Creamery Launches Zero Sugar Organic Milk

Looking to bring consumers back into the arms of dairy, New York-based Maple Hill Creamery debuted Zero Sugar Organic Ultra-Filtered Milk, the first product in a new platform of sugar free dairy made without sweeteners or additives.

Molson Coors: Despite Challenging Quarter, ZOA is ‘Well Received’

Despite seeing a 9.7% decline in net sales in the first quarter of 2021, Molson Coors Beverage Company reported solid sales for its non-alcoholic beverage portfolio, including new energy venture ZOA. Speaking to investors and analysts on a conference call Thursday, CEO Gavin Hattersley said ZOA has been “extraordinarily well received by retailers and by distributors alike.”

Transparent & Pandering AF: Say Hello to GEN Z Water

Just when it seemed the beverage industry had it all figured out when it came selling to millennials, in comes Gen Z. Gen Z Brands is a new Arkansas-based, sustainably packaged bottled water brand that has taken its namesake from its target demographic.

Proud Source Water Partners with PepsiCo for Regional Distribution

Proud Source Water announced this week a regional distribution agreement with PepsiCo Beverages North America (PBNA), placing the sustainably-packaged alkaline water brand on blue trucks servicing food service providers, stadiums and retailers in the Western region of the country.