Headlines

Craft Standard Cocktail Mix Kegs Attempt to Take Draft Cocktails to the Next Level

Keeping up with consumer trends, twin brothers and business partners Don and William Ray shifted service at the nightclub and bars they owned in Fayetteville, Arkansas, to focus on craft cocktails made by hand. However, the cavernous rooms and massive bars were built to accommodate far more people than a typical intimate cocktail lounge, overwhelming bartenders and slowing down service time.

Taste Radio: Maybe Shock Value Does Work? Plus, We Meet A Trailblazing ‘Walker.’

Mustard-based donuts, beer-infused sneakers, cheese cocktails… No, this episode isn’t about trying to gross you out. Rather, the hosts discuss recent marketing campaigns, collaborations and limited-edition merchandise involving legacy and small brands. This episode also features Dr. Emma Walker, the master blender for Johnnie Walker, answering a ten-pack of questions about her trailblazing role and the future of the iconic Scotch whisky brand.

Seth Goldman’s Eat the Change Raises $14.5M to Fuel Just Ice Tea Launch

Eat the Change, the healthy snack brand founded by Seth Goldman has raised $14.5 million in new funding to support its expansion into the ready-to-drink tea category. In June, Goldman announced plans to launch a new organic bottled tea line called Just Ice Tea under the Eat the Change platform after The Coca-Cola Company said it will discontinue Honest Tea.

ELIQS Closes $5.7M Seed Round, Extends Platform to Web3, Brand Incubation

Barrel Labs, the newly formed parent company of DTC customizable beverage brand ELIQS, announced on Wednesday it has closed a $5.7 million seed round that will support its expansion into three business platforms intended to help it become a “customization platform for the entire beverage industry.”

Taste Radio: What Does It Take To Lead A Revolution? If You’re ‘Good,’ A Star And Lots Of Farms.

Heather Terry, the founder and CEO of ambitious platform brand GoodSam Foods and the co-founder of trailblazing chocolate company NibMor, spoke about why acknowledging a lack of business acumen is important for early-stage founders, why adhering to brand mission is paramount to an operational strategy and how GoodSam aligns with consumers and retailers that embrace its vision.

Haus To Shut Down, Seeks Buyer After Investor Pulls Out

Haus, a California-based maker of low-ABV aperitifs, is winding down its business and seeking a buyer after the lead investor in its Series A round dropped out during the closing process, leaving the company without the necessary cash on hand to continue operations.

RISE, CoreBev Plot Shared Growth in RTD Cocktails

Spirits company The CoreBev Group has partnered with cold brew coffee brand RISE Brewing Co. for its latest canned cocktail launch, Moonlight Barista. Made with CoreBev’s Cylinder Vodka and RISE coffee, Moonlight Barista (15.5% ABV) is a nitro espresso martini available in 6.8 oz. cans.

Inflation and COVID Mean More Drinking at Home, Says IRI

At-home drinking is here to stay, according to a new report from IRI Beverage Alcohol Research. With inflation concerns and on-premise challenges, consumers are opting to indulge at home – and these conditions are impacting growth opportunities, putting a premium on innovation and affecting everything from e-commerce strategy to packaging and premiumization.