Keurig Dr Pepper will eliminate 500 jobs nationwide by Jan. 4, 2019, including 118 jobs across four facilities in Vermont, as the company consolidates operations following its merger this summer.

Quaker Oats, a division of PepsiCo, will officially enter the non-dairy plant-based milk space in January with the launch of Oat Beverage, a refrigerated three-SKU line available in 48 oz. multi serve bottles in three varieties: Original, Original Unsweetened and Vanilla.

Bend, Ore.-based Humm Kombucha has launched a pair of new, reduced-sugar SKUs: Raspberry Hops and Ginger Juniper, each with 5g of sugar and 25 calories per 8 oz serving.

Vanessa Walker has left her role as executive vice president of sales and marketing at functional beverage company CELSIUS, effective immediately.

Bolstered by the completion of a new 40,000 sq. ft. production facility, Canadian kombucha maker RISE is making its long-awaited move to the United States with the launch of four SKUs in New York City, as well as an expansion of its availability throughout Vermont.

In BevNET's second gallery of new products from the show, we highlight some notable new launches across water of all types, as well as a handful of products such as Dr Pepper's new limited offering, fruit smoothies from Simply and Ripple's entry into the plant-based protein drink arena. For more new products featured at NACS, see our first slideshow.

Speaking with BevNET at the NACS show, Susan Gambardella, vice president of convenience retail for Coca-Cola North America, explained how the company is implementing its “total beverage” strategy within the C-store channel.

The Los Angeles-based brand, which officially launches exclusively on Amazon today, uses a ring around the neck of each 20 oz BPA free PET bottle made from a polymer infused with natural oils that replicate the experience of drinking flavored water -- without the use of any additives to the liquid itself

“Distributed kitchen” startup brand incubator Pilotworks abruptly ceased operations nationwide this weekend, leaving hundreds of food and beverage businesses without production and storage facilities or distribution to retail outlets.

In this roundup of news from the 2018 NACS trade show in Las Vegas, BevNET checks in with Red Bull and Hint about recent line extensions, examines developments in the sparkling water space, learns about new CBD drinks from New Age Beverages, and samples Brew Dr. Kombucha's new C-store exclusive innovations.

In this video recorded at NACS 2018, BevNET assistant editor Martin Caballero and staff reporter Brad Avery offer a quick recap of some of their main takeaways from the show.