Food & Beverage Financing Trends: FABID Q3 Report
Venture funding increased by 16% quarter--over quarter, driven by more late stage investments compared to the second quarter of the year.
Headlines
Generous Brands Repositions As “Dedicated Beverage Company”
Less than six months removed from splitting off of Bolthouse Farms fresh produce, Generous Brands is leveraging its Sambazon partnership and its scale to bring a number of new products to market as it transitions into a "dedicated beverage company."
Tom Holland, Industry Vets Team up to Launch Bero Non-Alcoholic Beer
Hollywood star Tom Holland’s new non-alcoholic (NA) beer brand Bero debuts today with three styles, backed by consumer product-centric investment firm Imaginary Ventures and led by CEO John Herman, an energy drink veteran with 20 years of experience.
Sips and Secret Handshakes: A Drink With…Chris Watt, CEO of Branca USA
If you’ve worked in the service industry it’s likely you’re familiar with Fernet-Branca, the Italian amaro brand gracing the backbars of dive bars to upscale restaurants.
Taste Radio: Even After A $600M Exit, Peter Rahal Isn’t Satisfied. The Truth Is, He May Never Be.
In an interview framed as a series of true or false questions, Peter Rahal, the co-founder of protein bar brands RXBAR and David, reflects on his obsessive work ethic and leadership style. He also talks about “the best business strategy” and what he means when he says that happiness is “irrelevant.”
Hershey-Backed Blue Stripes Raises $20 Million to Advance Its Technologies, Develop New Products
Blue Stripes, a purveyor of sustainable cacao fruit-based food and beverage products, announced today it has raised $20 million in a Series B funding round intended to help the brand advance its whole cacao process technologies, develop new products and expand distribution.
Endcaps, Product Innovation Prove Good for Growth at good2grow
The kids beverage and snack brand – which makes juices, milks and crackers – is distinctive for its IP-driven bottle tops, which feature characters ranging from Mickey Mouse to Sonic, building its business off of impulse purchases by hitting the dual use case of refreshing drink and new toy for young children.
The Next Episode: Dr. Dre and Snoop Launch Still G.I.N.
Dre and Snoop are “still” at it. The hip hop legends and budding beverage entrepreneurs have released their second bev-alc collaboration, an ultra-premium gin, following the launch of a canned cocktails line earlier this year.
NACS: C4 Enters Ice Age, While Olipop Slims Down for C-Stores
Olipop has been one of the beverage industry’s biggest growth stories over the past few years, but closing the gap in convenience may be its biggest task yet. The prebiotic soda company’s NACS debut underscores the channel’s priority: it’s around 10% of Olipop’s total business right now, in around 7,000 doors.
Taste Radio: David, Decaf & Daiquiris. They’re All Trending.
With Taste Radio’s London meetups on the horizon, the hosts have their say on trendy brands, new products and the coming crush of seasonal LTOs. They share their respective takes on David, the high-profile protein bar brand launched by RXBAR co-founder Peter Rahal and whether decaf coffee is about to take off. They also get giddy about green cocktails and a record-breaking advent calendar.
What Could A Trade War Mean For Craft Distillers?
Effects of previous trade wars have already made a disproportionate impact on craft distillers, who are feeling the industry-wide anxiety around the potential return of tariffs.
Insider Benefit: BevNET Data Reports in Partnership with 3Tier Beverages
As part of our exclusive data series for BevNET Insiders, we’re partnering with 3Tier Beverages, a highly-experienced team of Bev-Alc industry experts, servicing over 200 Beer, Wine, Spirits, and Non-Alcoholic Beverage suppliers and distributors.
New Products: Luxardo Gets Bitter, Jones Gets Spooky
In this week’s new product launches, a legacy liqueur brand gets into bitters, Jones Soda gets spooktacular with Halloween-themed LTOs, and Generous Brands (previously Bolthouse Farms) rolls out a new portfolio of Sambazon and Evolution Fresh products.
Distribution: HappyPop Goes To Texas, Ketone Drinks Abound
In distribution news, HappyPop has ventured out of Southern California with a 10-store launch in Central Market locations in Texas while ketone and kava beverages have signed on with Sprouts.