Expo East 2019 Recap Pt. 1: Honest Tea Embraces Cold Brew, Mood33 Targets Mainstream

At Natural Products Expo East 2019, BevNET’s editorial team saw established brands tackle new innovations and new strategies, including Honest Tea’s take on cold brew coffee, Mood33’s new CBD line, DrinkSimple exploring growth through B2B partnerships, and a reshuffling of Great Point Brands’ product portfolio.

Expo East 2018 Video: DrinkSimple on Rebranding and Diversifying

Earlier this year, Vermont-based maple water maker DrinkMaple rebranded itself as DrinkSimple, a move to accommodate and better define a growing product portfolio that included new types of plant-based beverages such as watermelon water.

Drink Maple Rebrands as Drink Simple

The Vermont-based maker of maple and watermelon water products is rebranding as Drink Simple, introducing at Natural Products Expo West 2018 a new look for its product portfolio.

Power of One: Brands Building From Focus on Single Ingredient

Even as products boasting complex flavor profiles enter the beverage market, a simple, pure ingredient experience has everlasting appeal for consumers. Three emerging beverage startups exemplify both the opportunities and challenges of following a single-ingredient strategy.

Review: DRINK Maple (and Melon) Adds New Flavors

DRINKmaple, which is perhaps best known for their flagship 100% maple water product, continues to expand their lineup. Having announced DRINKmelon back in Spring of 2016, the company has expanded their SKU footprint a bit further.

Distribution Roundup: CVS Takes Better-For-You Brands Nationwide

CVS takes Dry Soda and Drink Maple nationwide following better-for-you pilot program in select stores last year, Verday Chlorophyl Water expands into Whole Foods South Pacific region, AQUAhydrate expands presence in Arizona.

DrinkMaple Adds New Funding, Makes Distribution Gains

Last month, the Vermont-based maple water brand announced it had received $250,000 in funding from Vermont venture capital firm FreshTracks Capital as part of a $4.35 million Series A round that was led by venture capital firm Cleveland Avenue.

DRINKmaple Debuts DRINKmelon, a Watermelon Juice Beverage

DRINKmaple co-founder and CEO Kate Weiler told BevNET that the development of DRINKmelon was two-fold: extending the company’s distribution footprint — including the recent addition of Kroger stores — without introducing flavored varieties to its maple water line, and making efficient use of a new manufacturing facility.

Drinkmaple Goes National With Kroger

To support the new distribution, Weiler revealed that Drinkmaple is building a new facility in St. Albans, Vt.