Lukas Southard is a Reporter covering the food and beverage industries across BevNET and NOSH.
A new generation of hard seltzers and canned cocktails are positioning in the RTD alcohol category offering Asian flavors and twists on traditional beverages that connect with the Asian-American community and capitalize on a cultural zeitgeist among mainstream American consumers.
Newly drafted NBA prospect Victor Wembanyama signed a five-year exclusive global partnership with emerging sports drink brand Barcode to not only be the face of the brand but to be an equity investor helping steer innovation and growth strategy.
In a BevNET video interview, three female founders in the non-alcoholic set discuss the growing contingent of women pushing the category into new places with NA bottle shops, pop-ups and innovative products to bring more inclusivity to the movement.
Cold brew brand Lucky Jack has been acquired by private label manufacturer Magnum Coffee Roastery earlier this year for an undisclosed amount. Magnum has added Lucky Jack’s high-caffeine extraction IP, facility, products and manufacturing capabilities as part of the deal.
Slate Milk signed a marketing deal with the UFC Wednesday marking the largest partnership to-date for the ultra-filtered chocolate milk brand along with adding $5 million onto its already $10.5 million Series A.
Bizzy Cold Brew unveiled a brand refresh on Wednesday, keeping its multi-serve 48 oz. bottle size the same but changing to a new bottle shape, color palette, updated copy and a redesigned logo font that “better articulates what our true points of difference are to the consumer.”
The non-alc category has made gains in on-premise distribution finding inroads with local music venues, pop-ups events and smaller festivals where there is a lower cost of entry than larger live shows and the consumer base is easier to access.
On the second day of BevNET Live Summer 2023 in New York City, a slate of speakers and panelists told stories and spoke about building successful beverage brands.
Launched in 2022, Frazy - a DTC coffee, mocktail and boba tea company - was built to bring the personalized experience to specialty beverages. Less than a year in, the business has released a concentrate version of its customizable coffee platform bringing a shelf-stable, on-the-go format to the brand.
PartnerSlate, a contract manufacturing database, has raised $4 million to expand its PartnerMatch platform which connects food and beverage brands to co-mans using AI streamlining the process of searching for and matching with suitable producers.
Energy drink Kill Cliff announced it is expanding its partnership with celebrity podcaster Joe Rogan and adding endurance sport and bowhunting influencer Cameron Hanes as a new collaborator on an exclusive CBD beverage, Elk Blood Spicy Cherry.
After a $5.6 million investment on Wednesday, Reed’s leadership expressed optimism during its Q1 earnings call that it will achieve cash flow positive by the end of year reporting cost cutting measures have improved margins.
Functional non-alc spirit Aplós closed a $5.5 million Series A as it aims to expand its retail presence while maintaining its sophisticated appeal in high-end cocktail bars and fine dining restaurants.
Backed with over $50 million in investment, former CEO of the Roundy’s and Mariano’s chains Bob Mariano has embarked on his latest venture in the Chicago area, Dom’s Kitchen and Market. The retailer hopes to have 15 stores by the end of next year building on an omnichannel, experiential type of food shopping grounded in prepared foods, heavier product curation and app-based connectivity.
