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Taste Radio Insider Ep. 106: The ‘Future’ Of Millennial & Gen Z Brands

The co-founders of next-generation beverage company Future/Proof, spoke about why naiveté, scrappiness and business school connections were critical to the early development of their flagship brand, BeatBox Beverages. They also explained why over-preparation is key to fundraising and how the convergence of lifestyle and liquid play into the company’s trade and consumer marketing strategies.

People Moves: Jones Soda Names Mark Murray as CEO; Aqua ViTea Builds Out C-Suite

Jones Soda has named Mark Murray as its permanent president and CEO; Vermont-based kombucha maker Aqua ViTea announced an expansion of its leadership team with three new additions to its c-suite; Soylent co-founder Rob Rhinehart has stepped down as chairman of the company’s board of directors.

RTD Spirits Investments: Bomani Raises $3.5M, ‘Merican Mule Brings in SoBE Founders

Hard coffee maker Bomani Cold Buzz announced last week that it has raised $3.5 million in an investment round featuring over 40 firms and individuals; Connecticut-based ‘Merican Mule, maker of a line of canned ready-to-drink Moscow Mules, announced last week a round of financing led by The Bishop Family, founders of Blue Buffalo pet food and SoBe Beverages.

Bang’s Breakup With Pepsi Moves to Court

VPX Sports, the maker of Bang Energy, is seeking an injunction against PepsiCo to stop it from making threats to its customers and wholesale distributors, as the two companies’ dispute over a long-term distribution contract moves into the legal phase.

Gallery: November’s New Beverage Launches

With winter on the horizon, this month's New Product Gallery features a number of new releases, ranging from seasonal flavors to full line extensions, including added SKUs from Health-Ade Kombucha, CELSIUS, C4 and KeVita. As well, we feature a new brand from Ocean Spray, a smoothie line courtesy of Koia and fresh forays into beverage from Genius Gourmet and Nellie's Free-Range Eggs.

Unity Wellness Co. Closes $1.25M Series A Round

CBD beverage brand Unity Wellness Co. has raised $1.25 million in a Series A funding round poised to aid the brand’s nationwide expansion. Founded in 2019, the California-based company is currently available in more than 500 stores across 16 states, including at Erewhon, alongside numerous independent accounts.

Spirits Gallery: November’s New Spirits

In this gallery, we showcase a handful of notable new spirit releases from the month of November, including a pair of unique bottles from 1800 and Bowmore, the debut of ultra-premium tequila brand Lobos 1707 and a new expression from Grain & Barrel Spirits. 

Taste Radio Ep. 233: Why This Acclaimed Vintner & Physician Urges Entrepreneurs To ‘Really Listen To People Who Disagree With You’

Laura Catena, managing director of lauded Argentine winery Bodega Catena Zapata and a San Francisco-based emergency room physician, explained how her professions intersect in ways that make her better in both roles, why she feels a heavy responsibility of carrying the whole country of Argentina on her shoulders and discussed her passion for achieving sustainability through innovation.

Cheribundi Closes $15M Series Round

Connecticut-based tart cherry juice brand Cheribundi announced today the closing of a $15 million series B financing round, led by existing investor Emil Capital Partners. The round will go towards supporting new hires to the Cheribundi’s c-suite and sales team, as well as funding innovation, marketing and distribution expansion.