Headlines

Elevator Talk: Beloit Kombucha, MATE!, Yoro, CHELLY, Lifted Blends

Watch founders and CEOs introduce their brands and provide a recap of recent news and updates. This week's special co-host is Rebecca Bernard, the founder of Empire City Brand Builders, who shared her thoughts, questions and feedback with the participants.

NielsenIQ: Beverage Sales Show Strength, Acceleration

Non-alcoholic beverage sales picked up in the two-week period ending July 15, according to an analysis of NielsenIQ data by Goldman Sachs Equity Research. Retail dollar sales grew 10.1% year-over-year for the two-weeks, compared to 8.2% in the four-week period and 8.5% for the 12-weeks, according to the report.

LVMH: Cognac Sales Continue to Drop in First Half of 2023

Revenue from the spirits and cognac segment of LVMH fell by 11% in the first half of 2023 as Hennessy Cognac sales suffered from weak U.S. demand, according to the company’s half-year revenue earnings report released yesterday.

In the Clouds: How The Hemp Beverage Alliance Aims To Standardize A Hazy Market

Hemp beverages may not be the novelty they were five years ago, but the industry is still going through some growing pains. Meet The Hemp Beverage Alliance (HBA): which officially formed this month to begin advocating for standardized products and best practices for producers up and down the supply chain.

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.

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.

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.

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.