Headlines

Speed Dating: Connecting Brands with Investors on October 29

BevNET & NOSH Speed Dating, a virtual event designed to connect food and beverage brands with industry experts, returns on Thursday, October 29. For this round, brands have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with CPG investors.

Taste Radio Ep. 229: ‘Bridesmaids’ Director Paul Feig Wants To Upgrade Your Martini

Paul Feig, the Hollywood director and producer behind blockbuster comedy “Bridesmaids,” sat down with us to discuss his latest project, Artingstall’s Gin. Feig spoke about how his personality is incorporated into the brand, why he compares the business of distilled spirits to that of directing a movie and his ultimate goal for Artingstall’s.

Sparkling Water Category Close-Up: Expert Analysis, Product Showcase on Oct. 13+14

Growth keeps bubbling up for sparkling water, so for the second edition of Category Close-Up, a video series available exclusively to BevNET and NOSH subscribers, we’re taking a deep dive into the market trends and dynamics -- as well as the innovative brands and products -- that are currently shaping the sparkling water category.

Coke Cuts Continue, With Zico Next To Exit

The Coca-Cola Company announced today it will discontinue coconut water brand Zico by the end of the year as part of a long term project to drop underperforming product lines from its portfolio. The move comes after months of declining sales for the brand, which Coke acquired in 2013.

Video: Project Potluck Joins Office Hours on Oct. 6

The show guests, Ibrahim Basir of A Dozen Cousins, Arnulfo Ventura of Beanfields and Ayesha Abuelhiga of Mason Dixie Baking Co. launched Project Potluck last month with a mission of building a ladder of opportunity for minorities in the food and beverage business who have long faced systemic issues around hiring, fundraising, mentoring, and other areas that are key to creating both successful companies and successful careers in the CPG industry.

SPINS: Kombucha Grows in MULO, Declines in Natural

In an interview with BevNET, Perteet Spence, VP of Strategic Solutions at SPINS, discussed the current state of the kombucha industry, including how multi-serve bottles and shelf-stable formats are influencing growth, how flavors are diversifying across channels and the rise of the alcoholic kombucha category.

Distribution Roundup: LifeAID Adds Target

LifeAID Adds 1,000 Target Stores; Sol-ti Expands to Sprouts; NewAge to Distribute Wingman Smart Energy; VIDE Adds Savannah Distributing; Marquis Adds DSD Houses in the West

Taste Radio Insider Ep. 100: How Outer Aisle Became The Fastest Growing Food Brand In The U.S.

Jeanne David, founder & CEO, Outer Aisle spoke about how being early on several current food trends helped the brand land its first major retailer, why the company aims to “revolutionize” a legacy food category, why she decided not to outsource manufacturing and why she urges entrepreneurs to use experienced advisors during a fundraising process.

Liquid Death Raises $23M in Series B Round

This week, the California-based brand announced it has closed a $23 million Series B funding round led by an unnamed family office. The round also saw participation from Convivialite Ventures, punk musician Fat Mike of the band NOFX, sports analyst Pat McAfee and prior investor Velvet Sea Ventures, among others.

La Colombe Signs Distribution Pact With Molson Coors

Philadelphia-based coffee roaster La Colombe has entered an exclusive partnership with Molson Coors Beverage Company to distribute the brand’s ready-to-drink coffee products in the drug and convenience channels starting in 2021, with plans to eventually transition distribution for all channels to the Molson Coors network over time.

Nielsen: Monster Sales Decelerate Over Labor Day Weekend

Monster Beverage Corp. saw dollar sales growth decelerate in the two week period ending September 19, up 4.9% year over year compared to stronger 6.6% growth in the 4-week period and a 7% increase in the 12-weeks, according to an analysis of Nielsen data by Goldman Sachs Equity Research.

Gallery: September’s New Products

September’s new product launches (or announcements, in some cases) reflected a wide variety of unique flavor innovations, ranging from spicy -- courtesy of cannabis-infused social tonic Cann and new cacao brand Blue Stripes -- to sweet, as in an apple pie-inspired hydration mix from Liquid I.V.