Premium water is growing fast, there’s a void in the distribution market, and, just as nature abhors a vacuum, Lance Collins can’t stand a chance to go after white space in the supply chain.
Circling the show floor, BevNET visited with dozens of the beverage booths at the event and came away with a number of highlights regarding brand innovation, line extensions and new products.
The fourth spirit launched in only seven months from the Santa Cruz distillery, Venus Spirits Gin Blend No. 02 will join Gin Blend No. 01, El Ladrón Blanco Blue Agave Spirit and Wayward Whiskey Single Malt on shelves in Santa Cruz and the Bay Area.
Since opening on March 7, 2014, more than 700,000 people visited Sugarlands Distilling Company’s downtown Gatlinburg, Tenn. distillery and more than 50,000 cases of craft moonshine were purchased.
"As Kansas City's hometown vodka, we wanted to honor our hometown team with a bottle that pays tribute to their outstanding performance," said Vic Morrison, VP Marketing for 360 Vodka.
The addition of a new line of multi-serve cashew and seed milk products follows the launch of Forager’s new 40,000 sq. ft. facility in Indio, Calif. Despite only recently beginning production in the new space, company co-founder Hanley said that the company has since added new equipment to keep supply in line with growing sales of Forager products.
The product blends Southern Comfort with the taste of caramel, and features notes of vanilla, whiskey and spice, according to the distiller.
"FY2015 will be acknowledged as our ‘Discovery’ year! We have validated our ‘potential’ as the domestic sparkling water innovator/leader in North America,” stated Nick A. Caporella, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
The Whole Foods launch solidifies the explosive growth Waiakea has continued to exhibit in the natural channel the last two years, while Wawa Inc. represents the volcanic water's first venture into convenience.
The paleo approved energy drink is part of Amara’s line of nutrient-rich, raw and low-calorie sports drinks containing the 5 essential electrolytes and natural CoffeeBerry® caffeine.
Watermelon Raspberry Flavored ZICO will be available at retailers nationwide as of mid-April and comes in convenient 14 fl. oz., re-sealable bottles. Suggested retail price is $2.49, but pricing is up to the discretion of the individual retailer.
Each 10 oz. bottle of the new flavors contains a tablespoon of raw local honey or Manuka honey, providing purifying and nourishing juices that are gluten free, GMO free, and contain active enzymes, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Pepsi is reviving its famed Pepsi Challenge today in what will be the start of a year-long marketing campaign geared towards those social media savvy millennials.
In just its second year, but growing, the top floor experience is still relatively new to the ever-expanding Natural Products Expo West, which concluded on Sunday, March 8 in Anaheim, Calif. Nevertheless, a tour of its lower-priced, smaller booths easily lent insight into some of the bleeding-edge trends in the entrepreneurial beverage business, as well as key ingredients as well.
