Tales of the Cocktail Guide: Agave, No/Lo, and DEI
The world’s leading cocktail conference, Tales of the Cocktail, kicks off this week in New Orleans, gathering thousands of bar professionals and spirit reps from across the globe.
Headlines
High Brew Sells Majority Stake to Beliv
High Brew Coffee, one of the first “third-wave” canned cold brew brands in the U.S., has been acquired by Latin American beverage portfolio company Beliv, the company announced today. Beliv is taking a 78% stake in the company.
Taste Radio: Magnolia Bakery Doesn’t Follow Trends. They’d Rather Set Them.
Magnolia Bakery CEO Bobbie Lloyd and CMO Eddie Revis spoke about why the iconic bakeshop launched a CPG brand and the patient and thoughtful approach behind its development. They also discussed why consistency and quality guides their stewardship of the company, why they eschew trendy concepts and Magnolia’s collaborations with lifestyle brands.
Profile: Shimmerwood Doubles Down On CBD
As the lack of federal approval for CBD has pushed many infused brands to branch out beyond the hemp-derived ingredient to expand their businesses, Shimmerwood Beverages is doubling down.
Ride the Lightning: Going Deeper on Liquid Death’s IPO Buzz
Earlier this month, a report that the metalhead-approved canned water maker Liquid Death had hired Goldman Sachs to lead a possible IPO sent some heavy reverb through the financial and CPG worlds.
Marketing: Propel, Michael B. Jordan Address Barriers to Exercise; Day One Beverages Scores With Phoenix Rising FC
On a mission to eliminate barriers to wellness and exercise, Propel’s ongoing work with actor Michael B. Jordan is taking on a new dimension with the launch of the “Propel Your City Project” which aimed at supporting a specific partner organization in Los Angeles, Detroit, Houston and Atlanta to expand their individual reach and connect communities through movement.
Goldman Sachs: C-Store Retailers Optimistic on Energy but Recession Fears Loom
Convenience store retailers were excited about energy drinks but had a “slightly more pessimistic outlook” for beer trends in Goldman Sachs’ Q2 Beverage Bytes survey, citing “broader economic pressures/fears of recession [and] impacts from cooler weather."
Will A Lawsuit In Tennessee Spark A Crackdown on Online Liquor Sales?
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti last week filed a lawsuit against six online liquor retailers accused of illegally selling liquor from out-of-state, an aggressive move that suggests retailers and brands may be facing greater scrutiny about how they ship products.
Taste Radio: Second Chances, And The Investor Obsessed With Outliers
Can Coolhaus make a comeback? Although the beloved non-dairy ice cream brand is reportedly on the chopping block, the hosts discussed a potential salvation akin to those of discontinued brands resurrected by new owners. This episode also features the latest installment of The Goat Pen with Carlton Fowler, the co-founder of Goat Rodeo Capital, who spoke about his “obsession” with outliers.
Back from the Brink: NFL Star Damar Hamlin Partners with Don’t Quit!
As Damar Hamlin prepares to suit up and return to the field for the upcoming NFL season, he’s bringing that “don’t quit” attitude to, well, Don’t Quit! The protein and energy drink brand announced today that Hamlin has officially joined the company as an equity partner, marking the athlete’s first official beverage brand partnership.
As Major Brands Waver, Gay Water Aims for Authenticity
Growing up, Spencer Hoddeson said he mostly heard the term “gay” in a negative context. Now, he wants to destigmatize the word and create representation in spaces that traditionally don’t have LGBTQ-owned products, one Gay Water at a time.
KDP, La Colombe Partnership Shakes Up Canned Coffee Category
KDP announced this morning that it is investing $300 million in Philadelphia-based coffee company La Colombe, making it the second largest investor in the brand with a 33% equity stake and strengthening its ambitions of moving deeper into the RTD coffee category.
Beam Suntory Names New CEO
Beam Suntory CEO Albert Baladi will be stepping down and passing the baton to Greg Hughes, who serves as the company's senior vice president chief growth and brands officer, the company announced yesterday.
Pop Star: GoodPop Frozen Treats Launches Beverage Brand
Frozen dessert maker GoodPop has stepped into the beverage category with a bubbly new sparkling kid’s juice drink line, complimenting its flagship line of better-for-you freezer pops.