New Products: Spindrift Packs A Punch, SunSip Covers A Classic
This week's new product gallery features Spindrift's latest seasonal release, a new budget-conscious line of blends from Tropicana, and SunSip's take on Classic Cola.
Headlines
Taste Radio: Spindrift’s Shift & Seven-Figure Raises
The hosts dissect Spindrift’s decision to discontinue its Spiked line and spotlight rising CPG stars Mooski and Painterland Sisters, each of which recently announced major funding rounds. They also preview upcoming Taste Radio meetups in the U.S. and U.K., before taking bites and sips of oat bars, cookies and a Patrick Mahomes-backed coffee brand.
Protein2o Names Chris Pruneda CEO, Finalizing $5M Raise
Now touting over $60 million in annual retail dollar sales, “clear protein hydration” producer Protein2o has welcomed in Chris Pruneda as the company’s new CEO, alongside several other executive appointments.
PepsiCo Taps Celsius As “Strategic Energy Lead,” Backed By $585M Investment
Celsius Holdings is now PepsiCo’s “strategic energy lead in the U.S.,” with the Celsius, Alani Nu and Rockstar Energy brands under its management and PepsiCo distributing the full portfolio in the U.S. and Canada.
Can Soju RTDs Ride The Korean Wave Into The Mainstream?
Korean soju is one of the top selling spirits in the world, but can that popularity transfer to canned cocktails? Several emerging brands are aiming to find out.
Marketing: Liquid I.V.’s RTD Rugpull Reveals Energy Play; Mountain Dew Teams with Brain Dead
As it turns out, Liquid I.V.'s reveal-turned-fakeout was the brand's way of teasing its deeper presence in the energy drink category with Energy Multiplier.
Reviews: Get Naked, Take a Plift, Try Some Horchata Cold Brew
In this week's batch of reviews, we dive in to two differentiated takes on caffeine -- with both Naked Sparkling Energy and Beekeeper Coffee's Horchata cold brew -- along with Plift's lightly dosed THC sodas.
Could This Bill Legalize Intoxicating Hemp? Here’s A First Look.
An early draft copy of a federal bill legalizing consumable hemp products could circumvent the "backdoor" opened by the 2018 Farm Bill.
Gold Bar Whiskey Drafts Joe Montana for 49ers-Themed RTD Launch
The San Francisco-based distillery announced today the launch of its first RTD cocktail, a take on a Moscow Mule called the Gold Bar Whiskey ‘Double Gold’. Each 12 oz. can contains ginger, lime, a splash of orange juice and has an 8% ABV.
Distribution Roundup: Costco Goes Craft with New Soda Additions
Costco’s soda selection is getting some new additions. The mass channel retailer has expanded its offerings of Jones Soda Co. CSDs and probiotic soda maker Culture Pop also announced it will be available in all 99 Costco locations in the Northeast.
Kendall Jenner’s 818 Tequila Announces New Investment, CEO
Kendall Jenner’s 818 Tequila has landed additional investment and named a new CEO.
Taste Radio: Why Brightland Said ‘No’ to Whole Foods – Twice – And Grew Anyway
Aishwarya Iyer, the founder of premium olive oil and pantry staples company Brightland, built one of the fastest-growing premium CPG brands by doing what many startups overlook: putting product integrity, brand trust, and strategic timing ahead of rapid retail expansion.
Goodmellow Takes a Spirit Maker’s Playbook to THC Beverages
Brandon Hanson, the co-founder of a well-known West Coast distillery, is venturing into the “wild west” of THC-infused beverages.
Flow Faces Foreclosure, CEO Reichenbach Exits Leadership Roles
Flow Beverage Corp., a Toronto-based alkaline water producer and aseptic packaging co-packer, is facing foreclosure by two of its creditors after allegedly defaulting on its loans, the company announced in a statement on Monday morning.