Traverse City Whiskey To Open $20M Michigan Production Campus
Traverse City Whiskey Co. has broken ground on a new 70,000 square foot distillery in hopes of turning Northern Michigan into a hub for whiskey in the Midwest.
Headlines
Taste Radio: To Unlock Their Brand’s Full Potential, They Had To Get Uncomfortable
Wholly Veggie co-founders John Bonnell and David Gaucher spoke about how a comprehensive brand brief enabled them to better understand their products’ value to retailers and consumers and the impact of a striking design revamp. They also discussed their adherence to business fundamentals, a challenging environment for private capital and how the most commonly consumed ingredients factor into their innovation strategy.
Guayaki Raises $75M, SEC Filing Shows
Yerba mate company Guayaki has raised $75 million in a funding round, according to a January 13 SEC filing by the company. The filing reflects over half of the company’s $142.8 million offering amount in the equity fundraise, with $67.8 million remaining to be sold.
People Moves: De La Calle President Departs, MāKā Adds Sales Executive
De La Calle president Danielle Calabrese has left Here Studio's tepache beverage brand. Wheatgrass RTD company MāKā brought on Jeff Maher to lead a national distribution push in natural and industry veteran Dave Peacock has been appointed the new CEO of Advantage Solutions.
ReserveBar Launches Get Stocked Site for Beer, RTD Alcohol
Since 2013, e-commerce platform ReserveBar has specialized in selling luxury spirits and wine — now it wants to supply your next tailgate, too.
8 New Whiskeys Debuting This Dry January
Dry January may be in full swing, but that hasn’t stopped spirits brands from rolling out new offerings. In this roundup of new whiskey releases, Fercullen Irish Whiskey makes its U.S. debut and Woodford Reserve unveiled this year’s edition of Double Double Oaked Bourbon.
Fancy Food: Non-Alc Dominates the Show Floor; Boba Pops Up in New Flavors and Tastelli Launches Konjac Jelly Drink
Despite its name, The Specialty Food Association’s Winter Fancy Food Show returned to the Las Vegas Convention Center with plenty of new product innovations in the beverage set, including novel formats in the bubble tea space, updating positioning for kombucha brands and growing prominence for outer space aesthetics.
Taste Radio: More Than A Few Highlights From A ‘Fancy’ Feast
Fresh off the conclusion of the 2023 Winter Fancy Food Show, Taste Radio editor Ray Latif highlighted new, innovative and better-for-you products from over a dozen exhibitors at the annual event, including a plant-centric soup brand, spicy and chewy candy, sunflower seed-based milk, non-alcoholic wine alternatives and gourmet marshmallows.
Sazerac Hit With Class Action Lawsuit Over Malt-Based Fireball Cinnamon Product
Consumers have filed a class action lawsuit against spirits giant Sazerac claiming the company’s malt-based Fireball Cinnamon has misled them because it lacks the whisky base of its parent brand, Fireball Cinnamon Whisky.
People Moves: PATH Names Nick Giannuzzi, Scott Miller to Board
Reusable bottled water brand PATH is charting its course for 2023 with several new executive hires; New York-based branding company has named Chris Cuvelier as its new Chief Growth Officer; Nirvana Water Sciences has filled two key sales roles; 100 Coconuts has appointed two key executives.
9 New Beverages Spotted at Winter Fancy Food Show 2023
As the name suggests, its focus may be on food, but this year’s annual Winter Fancy Food Show saw its share of beverage innovation, from ALO debuting its new sparkling juice line, DaoHer adding a new Crème Brûlée flavor to its dessert-inspired boba line and Gutsy branching out from the kombucha set. Scroll down for the full gallery.
Celsius Ordered To Pay Rapper FloRida Nearly $83M For Breaching Endorsement Deal
Energy drink maker Celsius Holdings Inc. has been ordered to pay rapper FloRida $82.6 million after a six-person jury found the company didn’t hold up its end of an endorsement deal from 2014 to 2018.
Monster: Crowded 2023 Innovation Slate Includes Tour Water, Clean Energy
Monster Energy Company unveiled its full 2023 innovation pipeline during its annual investor meeting webcast on Wednesday, showcasing its ambitions in the better-for-you energy, alcohol, and canned water categories.
Profile: Sia Whiskey’s Carin Luna-Ostaseski On Capital, Community & the Entrepreneurial Spirit Fund
Over the last decade, businesses owned by either people of color, LGBTQ people, women or the disabled have received only a 2% share of venture capital even though they represent over 50% of new business started, according to Hello Alice. Within spirits and alcohol overall, several industry groups and leaders have recently called attention to similar disparities.