Barebells Launches Protein Soda As Category Expands
Bar brand Barebells showed off its move into beverages with Protein Soda at last week's NACS show, as other brands also joined the fast-growing category.
Headlines
Dutch Bros. Diving Into Retail With RTD Coffees, Creamers
The fast-growing coffee chain is launching an ambitious cross-format push into retail, enlisting supplier Trilliant to produce a full slate of innovation set to hit shelves in January.
Taste Radio: What Happens After You Sell To Starbucks? For George Howell, Everything.
Specialty coffee pioneer George Howell shares how a long-term vision and a commitment to quality over trends helped reshape American coffee culture, even after Starbucks acquired his original brand. He also reveals the little-known origins of the drink that would become the Frappuccino, critiques why many cafés fall short on customer experience, and explains his unapologetic views on flavored coffee.
Coca-Cola Sees Q3 Volume Rebound As Margins Expand
Pricing actions offset flat unit volume in Coca-Cola’s North America segment during its third quarter earnings leading to organic revenue growth of 4%.
Molson Coors to Eliminate 400 Jobs By End of December
Molson Coors Beverage Company will eliminate around 400 salaried positions across its Americas business unit by the end of December.
RNDC CEO Bob Hendrickson has Died
Robert Hendrickson, interim CEO and president of Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), has died. The news was first made public today by the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA).
Global Flavors and ‘Female Rage’ Fuel Union Kitchen Event
Global flavors, heritage-inspired foods and “Female Rage” fueled Union Kitchen’s Meet the Makers event this past Sunday, drawing in nearly 100 vendors to sample.
Modern Iced Tea Brands Look To Flavor, Packaging To Enter C-Stores
Emerging iced tea brands showed off convenience-oriented flavors and packaging innovations as they expand and modernize the c-store set.
NACS: Packaging Innovation Reshapes Water At C-Stores
Several bottled water brands at the National Association of Convenience Stores show this week were focused on new innovations in pack size and format as consumers embrace sustainability and healthier lifestyles.
Pepsi Preps To Lean into Protein, Back Off Artificial Ingredients in 2026
Pepsi unveiled its 2026 innovation pipeline at the NACS trade show in Chicago this week, showcasing both bold swings and subtle tweaks across a range of beverage categories including protein, soda, coffee, sports drinks and tea.
New Products: Uncle Matt’s Does Yerba Mate, Seasonals From Laird and Sylva
This week’s new sips include autumn-inspired seasonals from Laird and Sylva, a line of THC-infused craft soda from current and former NBA players and a partnership between Monster Energy and a British racing star.
Taste Radio: Is THC In Target A Tipping Point? Finally, Fiber Is Sexy.
Is Target about to normalize THC drinks? The team unpacks a potentially game-changing move by the retail giant, and what it could mean for the future of cannabis beverages. They explore the regulatory roadblocks and why the move might be a tipping point. Plus, why PepsiCo is calling fiber “the next protein,” and a look at CPG innovations, including a surprisingly convenient twist on tomato paste.
A Drink With… Devon Trevathan, Nomadic Distiller and Co-Founder of Liba Spirits
As a nomadic distiller, Devon Trevathan travels the world through her company, Liba Spirits, setting up shop in far-flung distilleries to work her magic with local ingredients, equipment, and artisans.
Reviews: Huel Daily Greens Delivers, Hawaiian Tropical Sodas Delight
This week's reviews roundup features a pair of brands pushing the envelope -- one in a evolving new category of 'greens' drinks and another offering a fresh take on the classic soda.