Martín Caballero

Martín Caballero

Managing Editor, BevNET

Martín writes news articles and feature stories covering the non-alcoholic beverage industry for BevNET. A graduate of Boston University, Martín's previous work has appeared in USA Today, The Boston Globe and The Boston Herald.

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Posts by Martín Caballero

Catching Up: Smootch Refines ‘Oat Water’ Positioning

In a world obsessed with oat milk, is there room for an oat water? There is, if you ask New Jersey-based startup Smootch. After debuting its four-SKU flagship line of electrolyte-packed, non-carbonated oat waters in 12 oz. cans at Natural Products Expo West last year, the brand has established a presence in Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Molson Coors Set to Acquire Blue Run As Spirits Biz Expands

Molson Coors has agreed to purchase Kentucky-based distillery Blue Run Spirits, marking the beer giant’s first spirits acquisition and the formal launch of its Coors Spirits Co. business. The amount was not disclosed.

Oatly: Forecasts Slashed After Asia Slowdown

Oatly is pushing to simplify and streamline its operations after a disappointing quarterly earnings report saw the Swedish oat product maker slash its 2023 revenue forecast range from 23% to 28% to a dire 7% to 12%.

Monster Move: Coke Confirms Bang To Join Distro Network

According to a letter to distributors viewed by BevNET and Brewbound, Tony Short, CEO of Monster-owned beer maker CANarchy Craft Brewery Collective, confirmed previous reports that The Coca-Cola Company has begun the process of onboarding Bang within its national red-truck distribution system, marking the brand’s second go-round with one of the country’s largest beverage suppliers.

Bang Initiates Mass Layoffs in Florida

Bang Energy’s parent company Vital Pharmaceuticals (VPX) has initiated mass layoffs, including all employees at its Weston, Florida facility, in preparation for its anticipated acquisition by Monster Beverage Corp., according to an internal memo viewed by BevNET.

Source: FTC Ends Review, Clearing Path for Monster’s Bang Acquisition

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Friday terminated its review period for Monster’s proposed acquisition of Vital Pharmaceuticals, the parent company of Bang Energy, clearing the way for the transaction to be completed later this month, according to an internal communication viewed by BevNET.

ShineWater Shifts to Cans; “This Is Where the Industry is Going”

For a company that has trademarked the tagline “Sunshine in a Bottle,” changing packaging is not an insignificant step. But Vitamin D-enhanced ShineWater is ready to make that jump, announcing this week that its existing 16.9 oz. PET bottles will be phased out over the next year in favor of 16 oz. aluminum cans.

Monster Reaches Agreement To Acquire Bang

Monster Beverage Corp. has been revealed as the winning bidder for Vital Pharmaceuticals, maker of Bang Energy, per court documents filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Bankruptcy Court in Florida. However, a pending U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigation could derail the deal.

Seoul Juice Teams With U.S. Soccer Star; Launching Costco NW

Asian pear juice startup Seoul Juice has scored a new equity partner — U.S. men’s soccer player and MLS star Jordan Morris — ahead of its forthcoming launch at Costco stores in the Pacific Northwest next month.

BioSteel Broken? New Leaders, Tactics On the Way After Painful Q4

The Canadian sports drink and supplement brand has cut ties with some of its leadership after an internal review revealed “material misstatements” in its financial reporting, as troubled parent company Canopy Growth takes another hit.

Goldman: Believe in “Upbeat” Monster

Monster’s “upbeat and constructive” tone during its annual shareholder meeting yesterday has boosted confidence among Goldman Sachs analysts, per a report issued late last night.

Country Star Morgan Wallen Gets ‘Ryl’ With New Sweet Tea

If you’re going to get Southerners to stop putting sugar in their sweet tea, you better be prepared with a darn good reason.Ryl Tea believes it has two: a winning, authentic taste and the star power of country artist and investor Morgan Wallen, who’s name is proudly given a “crafted by” credit on cans of the brand’s new zero-sugar Sweet Tea, launched on Thursday exclusively on drinkryl.com and Gopuff.