Headlines

Monster: Q1 Results Beat Analyst Expectations

Monster Beverage Corp. beat analysts’ expectations during the first quarter of 2019, reporting strong sales growth despite facing increased competition in the energy category. Net sales for the company in the first quarter were $946 million, up 11.2% from $850.9 million in 2018, according to financial results released yesterday.

Gallery: April’s New Spirits

In this slideshow gallery, we highlight a handful of the notable debuts across liquor categories, including the launch of Roe & Co., a premium Irish whiskey, and flavored vodkas from Stoli, Effen and Ciroc.

FDA Allows Allulose to be Excluded from Total and Added Sugars

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued new draft guidance last week for allulose, stating it intends to allow manufacturers to exclude the low-calorie sweetener from total and added sugars on Nutrition Facts labels, marking the first time a sweetener will be exempt from the total or added sugars list.

Canada’s Moosehead Breweries Enters Cannabis Sector in JV with Sproutly

Canada’s oldest and largest independent brewery is getting into the cannabis business. Moosehead Breweries Limited and Sproutly Canada, which aims to become the leading supplier of water-soluble cannabis solutions, yesterday announced their intent to form an exclusive joint venture that will develop, produce and market cannabis-infused beverages.

Distribution Roundup: Riff Expands in San Francisco with UNFI

Som Sleep adds nearly 2,000 Walmart stores; Riff Cold Brewed partners with UNFI to grow in San Francisco; Mother Kombucha adds Florida area Whole Foods; Phivida launches ecommerce for Oki line; CHERRiSH expands distribution into Texas and New Mexico

Elevator Talk: Sir Owlverick’s Aims for the Long Game with Classic Tasting Coffee Beverages

Lillard Anthony Wong is the co-founder of Sir Owlverick’s with his partner Amy Tang, who is a third generation coffee roaster. The brand focuses on crafting a classic medium roast with a smooth taste profile to appeal to a wide audience, while offering new and innovate SKUs like Vietnamese iced coffee and cold brewed double espresso shots.

Nielsen: Total Beverage Sales Up During Easter Sales Period

This year’s late Easter holiday contributed to a 6.7% jump in snack and non-alcoholic beverage sales for the four-week period ending April 20, according to a Wells Fargo Securities analysis of Nielsen’s all channel sales data report.

Taste Radio Ep. 160: From Turmoil to $200 Million in Sales. How Pete and Gerry’s Turned it Around.

Nearly 20 years ago Jesse Laflamme came home from college to find his family’s egg brand, Pete and Gerry’s, on the precipice. Despite the urging of his parents to consider another career, he was committed to the brand and solving its problems. In this episode, Laflamme spoke about how the company not only got back on its feet, but also excelled beyond anyone’s expectations.

Gallery: April’s New Product Launches

In this gallery, we highlight some of the notable new products that were launched or announced over the past month, including three new fruit-flavored sodas from Pepsi, a new batch of CBD-infused drinks, and the latest release from Dirty Lemon.

Propel Launches Clean Label Vitamin Boost Line

As consumers increasingly seek out cleaner labels and functional beverages, PepsiCo-owned Propel Water is hoping to bring them under its wing, undertaking a “brand transformation” beginning this week with the launch of Vitamin Boost, a new functional water line made without artificial sweeteners.

Regatta Rebrand Embraces Craft Mixer Platform

Connecticut-based premium craft mixers maker Regatta is looking to bring an aspirational lifestyle positioning to the category, as it makes the transition from an on-premise focused ginger beer company to one with a broader product portfolio and multi-channel strategy.

Hapi Drinks Lands PepsiCo Greenhouse Grant

PepsiCo concluded the inaugural edition of its North American Nutrition Greenhouse accelerator program this week, naming Austin, Texas-based Hapi Drinks as the final recipient of a $100,000 grant from the soda giant.