Headlines

Distribution Roundup: Mude Launches in L.A.; Waterloo Goes International

The Naked Collective, maker of functional beverage brand Mude, announced this week that the product is now launching in Erewhon, Lassens and various independent stores in the Los Angeles area; Sparkling water brand Waterloo is now available on ecommerce platform Grovara, a B2B marketplace which sells wellness brands to international retailers; Following its March launch in retail, ready-to-drink cocktail brand SESH is now available in 12 states, according to the company.

Food and Beverage Entrepreneurs Honored in Latest Forbes 30 Under 30 List

Among the honorees in the Food and Drink category was Kayla Castaneda, 29, the co-founder of this year’s New Beverage Showdown 21 winner Agua Bonita. Forbes highlighted Castaneda’s heritage as a descendant of migrant farm laborers and a former Coca-Cola manager, noting that the agua fresca maker “has shaped her business in the image of her heritage.”

People Moves: Jones Soda Names Eric Chastain President of Beverage Division

Longtime Jones Soda Co. COO Eric Chastain has been promoted to the role of president of the newly formed Jones Soda Beverage Division; Golden Grail Technology Corp. has hired Erin Heit to help develop its growing brand portfolio; Alkaline water company Flow Beverage Corp. announced the exit of president and COO David Mock; Seth Teply has been named president and CEO of Tetra Pak U.S. and Canada.

Taste Radio: We Broke Bread With Andrew Zimmern. And He Was Happy To Share.

Award-winning television host, chef and writer Andrew Zimmern joined us for an expansive conversation about his new TV series “Family Dinner,” why he has an affinity for certain CPG brands, his belief that believes elitism is hampering solutions to issues of food accessibility and affordability and his position that GMOs – applied within reason – continue to play an important role in the food system.

“This is Soda”: Slice Returns — Again

As it prepares to reintroduce itself to consumers once again early next year, Slice is embracing its roots as a tried-and-true soda, albeit with some improvements made under the hood.

NielsenIQ: Non-Alc Beverage Retail Sales Remain ‘Broadly Strong’

All channel non-alcoholic beverage sales remained “broadly strong” across categories during the period ending November 20, according to an analysis of NielsenIQ data by Goldman Sachs Equity Research. Beverage retail dollar sales rose 11.4% in the two-week period and 11.1% in the four-week period. On a two-year stack basis, total dollar sales were up 27.4%.

Cocktail Showdown 2: Meet The Players

It’s time to reveal the contestants and judges for BevNET’s Cocktail Showdown 2, a pitch competition that will feature 10 of the most innovative and disruptive brands in the rapidly emerging category of spirit-based ready-to-drink and ready-to-pour cocktails.

Death & Co. Makes First CPG Play with RTD Cocktail Launch

When Death & Co. opened its first bar in 2006, it rapidly established itself as one of the premiere names in the modern craft cocktail movement through its innovative approach to creating new drinks. Now, the company is hoping to do the same in the emerging RTD cocktail category with its first retail consumer product: a line of canned libations, which launched this month.

Taste Radio: There’s Nothing Like Doing This Live. Plus, ‘Lofti’ Goals And A Spirit’s Revival.

On the cusp of our Winter 2021 events, Taste Radio’s hosts discussed the speaker agendas for NOSH Live and BevNET Live and highlighted several notable new brands and products, including wellness shots, vegan snacks, an innovative “shimmering sparkling water,” and the largest peanut butter cup in the world. We also feature an interview with Dave Carpenter, who is the master blender for Redemption Whiskey, a brand promoted as “leading rye’s revival” in the U.S..

BevNET Live Winter 2021 is One Week Away; 600+ Registered

BevNET Live Winter 2021 is just 7 days away! Hundreds of beverage industry professionals, including brand founders, investors, distributors and retailers, are already signed up for the event, which is being held on Dec. 6 and 7 at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel in Santa Monica, Calif.