Brad Avery

Brad Avery

Senior Reporter

Brad is a Reporter for BevNET.com.

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Posts by Brad Avery

In the Courtroom: Coca-Cola Goes to Trial with Hansen Family

Coca-Cola Goes to Trial with Hansen Family; White Claw and Coke Fight Over ‘Surge’ Name; Vitamin Shoppe Files Trademark Suit Against PLNT; PepsiCo Owes $2.65 Million to Iowa Bottling Company; Ocean Spray May Pay $5.4 Million in Class Action

European Meal Replacement Brand Mana Launches in U.S.

Seeking to capitalize on the growing market for meal replacement beverages, Czech Republic-based “complete nutrition” shake maker Mana announced last week it will launch in the U.S. via ecommerce this year, with direct-to-consumer preorders expected to ship in December.

Molson Coors Takes Minority Stake in L.A. Libations

MillerCoors, the U.S. business unit of beer giant Molson Coors, announced today it has taken a minority ownership stake in California-based beverage incubator L.A. Libations, a move that gives the beer conglomerate access to a broad portfolio of brands as it moves to expand its play in non-alcoholic categories.

Distribution Roundup: Teatulia Expands Tea Soda Line

Teatulia Expands Tea Soda Line; Mother Kombucha Adds 840 Publix Stores; Basis Adds Safeway in Colorado; Sol-ti SuperShots Line Goes Chainwide in Publix; Brooklyn Crafted Adds Extra Spicy Ginger Beer Cans in Sprouts; Phivida Launches Oki in Florida; Cirrus Expands in Southeast and Mid-Atlantic

Kitu Life Super Coffee Caps High Growth Year With Cold Brew, K-Cup Launches

On Monday, Super Coffee will introduce two new additions to its portfolio: Super Cold Brew and Triple Shot Espresso. Unlike the brand’s flagship Super Coffee line and its Super Espresso SKUs, the new products will not contain protein or MCT oil. Instead, both will be zero calorie and contain L-Theanine sourced from green tea.

Sweet Dreams: Bhoomi Aims to Reboot Sugarcane As Healthy Hydration

Innumerable sweetened beverages have for decades had to contend with being dismissively called “sugar water.” But for Texas-based startup Bhoomi, the term comes with a sense of pride. Founded in 2017, Bhoomi produces a line “cane waters” made from cold-pressed sugarcane stalk.

Dairy Giant Dean Foods Files for Bankruptcy

The dairy producer announced today it will use the bankruptcy process to “protect and support” ongoing business operations and address debt and pension obligations. Dean Foods has secured $850 million in debtor-in-possession financing from existing lenders to support continued operations ahead of an eventual sale.

People Moves: OWYN Names Mark Olivieri President

OWYN Names Mark Olivieri President; Sweet Reasons Brings On Industry Vets; American Beverage Association Announces New Board Members; New Age Names Julie Garlikov as CMO; Rob Paladino Joins Sol-ti as President; David Kroll Exits COCO5

Monster: Q3 Net Sales Grow Despite Lukewarm North American Business

Despite declines in its North American business, Monster Energy Corp. saw net sales grow by double digits during the third quarter, the company announced in an earnings report yesterday. Speaking with investors during an earnings call, Monster vice chairman and president Hilton Schlosberg reported that net sales grew 11.6% to $1.13 billion, up from $1.02 billion in the third quarter of last year.

Mooala Closes $8.3M Series A Round

Plant-based dairy maker Mooala announced today it has raised $8.3 million in a Series A financing round led by Sweat Equities. The round brings the three-year-old brand’s total funding to more than $13 million. The round also includes additional financing from M3 Ventures, which led Mooala’s $5 million seed round last year.

Distribution Roundup: Waltz CBD Seltzer Launches in Colorado

Waltz CBD Seltzer Launches in Colorado; NOCCO Adds 500 Accounts Nationwide; Phivida Partners with Gotham Brands for Oki Rollout; Califia Farms Adds 3,200 7-Eleven Stores; Spindrift Launches in Publix; Cafe Agave To Expand Across the Country; Petal Adds Gelson’s; Positive Beverage Adds Target in California and Colorado

Former BrewDog USA CEO Launches CBD Beverage

Based in Columbus, Ohio, W*nder is a line of sparkling waters containing 20 mg of CBD per 12 oz. can along, with various adaptogens and other functional ingredients. Though the sparkling water category has been a popular platform for upstart CBD brands founder Tanisha Robinson told BevNET that she intends to launch W*nder as a regional play in Ohio, where CBD beverages are still sparse.

CLEAN Cause Raises $7M in Series A

Seeking to expand its sales and marketing team, sparkling yerba mate drink maker CLEAN Cause announced today it has raised $7 million in a series A round. Speaking with BevNET, CLEAN Cause founder and CEO Wes Hurt said the round was entirely financed by private individuals from the Austin, Texas area, where the nearly five-year-old brand is based.