Pepsi Ventures Group Chief Daniel Grubbs Exits
PepsiCo is entering a new phase as longtime executive Daniel Grubbs announced his departure this week after a decade spent managing the company's venture portfolio.
Headlines
Vital Proteins Taps into RTD Ingestible Beauty with Collagen Sparkling Water
Vital Proteins, the brand widely credited with helping mainstream collagen in consumer-facing products, announced today the launch of Collagen Sparkling Water, seeking to meet consumer demand for hydration with proven added benefits.
Edible Garden Enters RTD Protein with Tetra Pak Partnership
Indoor farming business Edible Garden is expanding into RTD nutritional shakesv through a manufacturing partnership with Tetra Pak.
Black Rifle Sees Momentum Ahead After ‘RTD Softness’ in 2025
Black Rifle Coffee Company is optimistic that it has a “streamlined platform” and “strong momentum” fueling growth, according to the company’s full year and Q4 2025 earnings report today.
Caliwater Adds Benson Boone As Investor, Ambassador
Caliwater has added Seattle-born, Grammy-nominated artist Benson Boone to its cap table, following singer Demi Lovato last March.
Taste Radio: She Built A ‘Nation’ Of Millions In CPG’s Toughest Category
Five people. Seven-figure DTC. Nationwide Whole Foods distribution. Ashley Nickelsen, the founder and CEO of nutrition bar and chocolate brand B.T.R. Nation, reveals how she turned velocity, online sales data, and creative-first Meta ads into a disciplined omnichannel growth engine – without shortcuts in one of grocery’s most competitive categories.
Kombucha Culture Enters U.S. With Gen Z Lifestyle Pitch
Costa Rica-based Kombucha Culture is scaling into the U.S. after building its brand in its home country over the last decade.
Spindrift Enters Iced Tea Category with First Non-Carbonated Innovations
As it stretches its innovation capabilities, Spindrift is introducing its first non-carbonated beverage line: Spindrift Iced Tea.
Distribution: Chameleon Flash Brew Launches in Erewhon
Famous for its flagship cold brews, Chameleon Coffee is testing out a new coffee style with the launch of its functional Flash Brew RTD line in all Erewhon stores this month.
Distribution: Southside Hits Whole Foods; Oishii Sails Onto Carnival
This month’s distribution moves see gin-based ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail The Original Southside grab permanent shelf space at Whole Foods, a sake spritz making a multi-channel push, and a Mid-Atlantic tequila soda lock in a major partner.
Hint’s Flavor-forward Brand Refresh Seeks to ‘Reclaim Water’s Equity as the Original Wellness Beverage’
After more than two decades on the market and 1.5 billion bottles sold, unsweetened flavored water pioneer Hint is betting that a comprehensive brand refresh will help it reclaim center stage in the increasingly crowded hydration set.
Blue Monkey Acquires Local Weather, Updates Branding
Blue Monkey Beverages has acquired next-generation sports drink Local Weather as it seeks to build a functional drink platform.
Uncle Nearest Founder Admits $20M Transfer as Receivership Battle Intensifies
After a judge placed Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey under receivership for defaulting on nearly $108 million in loans, founder Fawn Weaver continues her courtroom fight to take back the troubled bourbon company.
Taste Radio: Is Big Food Catching Up To Startups? And, A Legend Signs Off.
Is Big Food finally catching up to emerging brands on speed to market? As legacy CPG giants roll out protein- and fiber-forward innovations faster than ever, the team debates whether startups still hold the advantage. Plus, we give a heartfelt sendoff to Jacqui Brugliera as she departs BevNET after 12 years.