Deadline Extended: Submit Your Nominations for BevNET’s Best of 2024 Awards by Wednesday 11/6
Don’t miss your chance to submit nominations for the BevNET Best of 2024 Awards. The deadline has been extended through Wednesday, November 6th.
Headlines
Celsius Moves Toward Vertical Integration with $75M Co-Packer Acquisition
Celsius Holdings is moving towards vertical integration with the $75 million acquisition of its co-packing partner Big Beverages Contract Manufacturing LLC. The transaction was made with cash on hand and closed today.
Taste Radio: Ghost’s $1 Billion Deal. What Are ‘Tomorrow’s Investors Looking For?
Another episode, another billion-dollar deal. In this case, the buyer (KDP), if not the brand (Ghost), is somewhat surprising. The hosts have their say. They also highlight a couple spicy collaborations, but are divided on one of them. We also speak with Lexy Prosszer, an investment principal at U.K.-based venture capital firm Btomorrow Ventures, which is focused on investments in innovative, functional brands.
New Products: De Soi Gets a Winter Makeover, REDCON1 Reintroduces JOLT Cola
In this week’s new products roundup, De Soi debuts its first-ever limited edition flavor, REDCON1 resurrects the “first energy drink of the 80s,” and G.O.A.T. Fuel announces a multi-year partnership with Muhammed Ali Enterprises.
Distribution: Ghia Locks in New Partnerships, Grounded Makes U.S. Debut
Non-alcoholic aperitif brand Ghia is making a much-anticipated leap into the natural channel next month, as it launches in over 100 Whole Foods Market stores in 12 states and in 43 Wegmans Food Market locations in Western New York.
Daily Briefing (Insiders Only): Cola Battle: L.A. Takes on Coke and Pepsi
Los Angeles County is looking to take Coke and Pepsi to court over the soda giants’ environmental impact. The county filed a lawsuit against PepsiCo and The Coca-Cola Company this week alleging they have tried to deceive the public about the recyclability of and potential health issues emanating from plastic bottles.
Non-Alc Drinkers Searching For Novelty, Flavor & Ease, Say Analysts
Sober October is nearly behind us and Dry January is on the way, but younger drinkers don’t need incentives to put down the booze.
De Soi’s Distiller Talks Winter Game Plan
Non-alcoholic apéritif brand De Soi is getting a winter makeover today as its first-ever limited-edition flavor hits shelves – part of the brand’s strategy to continue to emotionally connect with its consumers as the adult non-alc (ANA) category “grows and becomes hegemonized."
Victor Allen’s Coffee Maker Trilliant Seeks Growth Outside of Coffee With Nurri
Forty-five-year-old vertically integrated beverage manufacturer Trilliant Nutrition, whose portfolio includes brands like Victor Allen, Aspen Ridge and Study Fuel, is looking for growth opportunities beyond the coffee category with the launch of Nurri ultra-filtered protein milk shakes, exclusively available at Costco.
Vita Coco: Supply Issues Hurt Q3 Sales, Outlook Stays Positive as Guidance Raised
The Vita Coco Company reported a quarterly net sales decline of 4% to $133 million in its Q3 2024 earnings presentation this morning, as year-to-date revenue stayed flat at $389 million. The company’s sales performance was impacted by inventory flow.
Daily Briefing (Insider Only): DSD Darling Dora’s Doubles Down on Expansion
Call it one of those “good” problems: NYC-based cold-chain DSD house Dora’s Naturals is operating at about 130% capacity from its current warehouse, said head of business development Tanya Seber on a call last week.
Taste Radio: Ben Branson Changed An Industry. Can He Do It Again?
Ben Branson, the trailblazing founder of non-alcoholic spirit brand Seedlip and innovative venture studio Pollen Projects, shares his perspective on an evolving market for zero-proof beverages, why “the best” non-alcoholic products are not analogs of legacy spirits and why he’s betting big on an unusual sourcing and production model.
Jones Soda CEO David Knight Exits
Jones Soda is searching for new leadership after president and CEO David Knight departed the company last week, the company announced Monday afternoon.
Last Call! Final Week to Nominate BevNET Best of 2024 Awards; Top Brands, Products, and Innovators
Don’t miss your chance to submit nominations for the BevNET Best of 2024 Awards. The deadline is this Friday, November 1st.