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Taste Radio Insider Ep. 59: The ‘Slightly Out Of Control’ Growth Strategy

James McMaster, the CEO of Huel, a fast-growing brand of nutritionally complete meal replacement powders and RTD beverages, spoke about how the company manages sales and distribution in 80 countries, the challenges that come with rapid expansion and why formal referral programs are central to its consumer acquisition strategy.

Spirits Gallery: Fall’s New Gins and Tequilas

In this gallery, we highlight a handful of notable new spirits releases in the categories, including two Extra Añejo tequilas (including PATRON's limited edition, oldest-ever release), Bently Heritage's take on new world gin and the debut of zero-alcohol Monday Gin.  

Coca-Cola Announces Launch of AHA Sparkling Water

The Coca-Cola Company today announced the launch of sparkling water brand AHA, signaling its intention to seriously compete in the rapidly growing zero-calorie sparkling water category.

Elevator Talk: H2OPS Brings Hops to the Sparkling Water Category

Paul Tecker is the founder of H2OPS, a beverage brand crafting sparkling water brewed with hops. The zero calorie non-alcoholic beverage aims to serve beer drinkers who want to enjoy hops on more occasions, as well as millennials that are looking to reduce their alcohol consumption.

Taste Radio Ep. 187: An Iconic Cooking Brand ‘Doesn’t Do Anything’ Without Knowing This First

David Nussbaum, the chairman and CEO of America’s Test Kitchen, spoke about how the venerable cooking brand has maintained a remarkably loyal following amid a changing landscape for food and media, how it evaluates its role as a thought leader, and how trends, competition and technology factor into its future. This episode is presented by Flavorman, the beverage architects.

Mooala Closes $8.3M Series A Round

Plant-based dairy maker Mooala announced today it has raised $8.3 million in a Series A financing round led by Sweat Equities. The round brings the three-year-old brand’s total funding to more than $13 million. The round also includes additional financing from M3 Ventures, which led Mooala’s $5 million seed round last year.

Beverage Veterans Join CBD Brand Ojai Energetics

Upstart CBD brand Ojai Energetics has added two beverage industry veterans to its management team, with former Coke executive Tom Hicks coming on as COO and Jim Tonkin joining the company’s advisory board.

Industry Responds to USDA Hemp Guidelines

The USDA last week added its interim final rule for the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program to the Federal Register. As the guidelines are implemented, hemp industry leaders reacted with a mix of relief, excitement and hope for a future of regulated cannabis food and drink products.

Taste Radio Insider Ep. 58: The Path From Niche To Mainstream

In this episode, we’re joined by Kelly Heekin and Ben Schmidt, the co-founders of Hoist, a brand of hydration beverages developed to be a more palatable version of Pedialyte. They discussed their strategy for mainstreaming a niche concept, why “staying power and the ability to adapt” have been critical to Hoist’s development and how they communicated their vision to stakeholders.

Gallery: October’s New Products

In this gallery, we look at some of October’s notable launches, such as the latest from Health-Ade, Odwalla and REBBL, along with seasonal releases from Sparkling Ice, Hank’s Gourmet Beverages and Pressed Juicery.

Guayakí Self-Distribution Model Rolls On

As outlined by co-founder David Karr, Guayaki eventual goal is complete self-distribution, to which the brand is over halfway there with approximately 10,000 accounts -- or, “all of California and basically most of the U.S., outside of natural [retailers],” -- serviced by a fleet of over 300 electric cars.

Distribution Roundup: Waltz CBD Seltzer Launches in Colorado

Waltz CBD Seltzer Launches in Colorado; NOCCO Adds 500 Accounts Nationwide; Phivida Partners with Gotham Brands for Oki Rollout; Califia Farms Adds 3,200 7-Eleven Stores; Spindrift Launches in Publix; Cafe Agave To Expand Across the Country; Petal Adds Gelson’s; Positive Beverage Adds Target in California and Colorado