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Searching for Entrepreneurs? Look for Communities. Searching for Entrepreneurs? Look for Communities.

Searching for Entrepreneurs? Look for Communities.

by Jeffrey Klineman,

In his book The Rise of the Creative Class, Richard Florida wrote about the function that cities have had in the rapid growth of an economy based on creativity. So how does that relate to the beverage business? Not necessarily directly – after all, much of the beverage industry is outsourced to factories that manufacture either centrally or regionally and then redistribute their production to wider areas. But on an entrepreneurial level there is an interesting relationship.

Review: SoReal Review: SoReal

Review: SoReal

by BevNET.com Staff,

So Real is a new line of all-natural functional drinks formulated with vitamins, electrolytes, antioxidants, calcium and dietary fiber and designed to provide energy, hydration, recovery and wellness to consumers. While the functional benefits are nice, So Real's name and branding are somewhat confusing in the sense that it’s not really clear what this product’s primary purpose is.

Back to Basics: Alkalinity is In Back to Basics: Alkalinity is In

Back to Basics: Alkalinity is In

by Ray Latif,

For many consumers, the word alkaline conjures up that old ad campaign for Energizer batteries– remember the small mechanical bunny rabbit, batteries attached to its back, marching and pounding away at a bass drum? It kept going and going and going… It was the alkaline content in the batteries that Energizer attributed to the everlasting power of the toy rabbit, and today, some beverage marketers are claiming that alkaline-infused water will help humans keep going and going as well.

BevNET Live: Breakouts to Include Interactive Design Workshop BevNET Live: Breakouts to Include Interactive Design Workshop

BevNET Live: Breakouts to Include Interactive Design Workshop

by Jeffrey Klineman,

BevNET Live will feature an opportunity for entrepreneurs to check out their ideas with the experienced eye of noted designer Ian McLean, who will be on hand to answer questions and analyze proposed designs in a unique "workshop" format.

Review: Hawaiian Ola Shot Review: Hawaiian Ola Shot

Review: Hawaiian Ola Shot

by BevNET.com Staff,

Hawaiian Ola is a new energy shot that is made with 75 percent juice - derived from a range of fruits including noni, mango, pear, apple, acai, goji, and lilikoi juice - as well as green tea and yerba mate, which give the product 140 mg of natural caffeine. For a category that really has only one player, the product has some meaningful points of differentiation, and it certainly seems like something that will be right at home in the natural channel.

Energy Drink Drumbeat: Class Action Filed Against Redline Energy Drink Drumbeat: Class Action Filed Against Redline

Energy Drink Drumbeat: Class Action Filed Against Redline

by Jeffrey Klineman,

A Texas man has filed a class-action lawsuit against Vital Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the makers of VPX Redline, claiming the product made him sick and was marketed deceptively. Redline, an energy drink known for having extremely high concentrations of caffeine, also contains a wide variety of ingredients beyond caffeine-containing compounds, including Yohimbine, 5-HTP, evodiamine, tyrosine, and vinpocetine.

Monster: We Stand by the Safety of Our Products Monster: We Stand by the Safety of Our Products

Monster: We Stand by the Safety of Our Products

by Jeffrey Klineman,

Faced with a drumbeat of negative publicity relating to revelations that the FDA has reports of five deaths associated in some way with the consumption of Monster Energy since 2009, the company has issued a statement denying its products played a role in the death of 14 year-old Anais Fournier last December.

Pro NRG Lands $250K Deal on “Shark Tank” Pro NRG Lands $250K Deal on “Shark Tank”

Pro NRG Lands $250K Deal on “Shark Tank”

by Ray Latif,

It may not have been the exact deal that Pro NRG founder Tanya Patruno was looking for, but walking away with a $250,000 investment offer on the reality TV show “Shark Tank” could end up being a critical win for her fledgling beverage brand.

With Armstrong Gone, It’s Tebow Time for FRS With Armstrong Gone, It’s Tebow Time for FRS

With Armstrong Gone, It’s Tebow Time for FRS

by Ray Latif,

Less than a week after the company severed ties with disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong, FRS is placing Tim Tebow, its squeaky clean spokesman, squarely at the forefront of a major marketing initiative. Today, FRS announced a new national campaign promoting its relationship with the New York Jets quarterback, who, as a result of Armstrong's departure, is now the premier endorser of its line of quercetin-based line of functional drinks and powders.

High Caffeine Content in Monster Energy Caused Death of Teenager, Lawsuit Claims High Caffeine Content in Monster Energy Caused Death of Teenager, Lawsuit Claims

High Caffeine Content in Monster Energy Caused Death of Teenager, Lawsuit Claims

by Ray Latif,

Already the target of an investigation by the New York state attorney general’s office into how the company packages and discloses its caffeine content, Monster Beverage is a facing a new lawsuit alleging that the high caffeine content in its flagship beverage contributed to the death of a Maryland teenager last December.

Gluten-Free Market to Reach $4.2 Billion in Sales in 2012 Gluten-Free Market to Reach $4.2 Billion in Sales in 2012

Gluten-Free Market to Reach $4.2 Billion in Sales in 2012

by Ray Latif,

With nearly one in five U.S. adult consumers now purchasing or consuming products tagged as gluten-free, sales of gluten-free foods and beverages are expected to reach $4.2 billion in 2012, according to a new report from Packaged Facts. As consumers increasingly shift toward healthier lifestyles and become more aware of gluten-free offerings, the category has risen at a compound annual growth rate of 28 percent over the past four year period.

BevNET TV: NACS 2012 – An Interview with Manoj Bhargava of 5 Hour Energy BevNET TV: NACS 2012 – An Interview with Manoj Bhargava of 5 Hour Energy

BevNET TV: NACS 2012 – An Interview with Manoj Bhargava of 5 Hour Energy

by Ray Latif and Joshua Pratt,

“To some extent, we’ve become like WD-40.” – Manoj Bhargava, founder and CEO of Living Essentials, the marketer of 5 Hour Energy. At a glance, it may not be the most elegant of comparisons, but when one considers the utter domination that each product shares over its competitors, the analogy is crystal clear. In the same way that there is no "category" for WD-40, Bhargava considers energy shots to be a one-horse stable.

Canned Reaction: Hiball’s Rolling Behind New Package Canned Reaction: Hiball’s Rolling Behind New Package

Canned Reaction: Hiball’s Rolling Behind New Package

by Jeffrey Klineman,

Since moving into the 16 oz. can style that is more typical of the energy drink category, the brand has received not just increased attention from Whole Foods, but also nationwide approval in Kroger for all six of its SKUs (four zero-calorie energy waters and two 100-calorie juice blends), as well as accounts in Ralph’s, Wegman’s, Jewel-Osco and many others.