Cover Story

Something’s Brewing

Innovations in format, function and flavor aim to extend kombucha category growth into the new decade.

Features

2019 New Beverage Guide

The 2019 New Beverage Guide is the most comprehensive collection of non-alcoholic beverages featuring new brands, flavors, product updates, packaging and more.

Although Leading National Cider Brand Sales Decline, Smaller Producers Find Growth

Although national trends for the largest cider producers are in the red, many smaller regional and local cider producers are growing.

Sacred (Cold) Space

While dairy will remain on top for the foreseeable future, the cold case is changing today. Dairy industry leaders, however, may be more prepared for that change than anticipated.

NACS 2019 Review

This year's annual National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) trade show once again served as a showcase for beverage innovation from some of the biggest names in the business, including Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestlé Waters and others.

Gerry's Insights

Gerry’s Insights: Roll Over, Beethoven

“Classical marketing.” It was one of the first phrases I heard in the early 1990s after getting de-industrialized out of a reporting career covering subjects like manufacturing, robotics and electronics and making a mid-career transition to a marketing trade magazine, with zero expertise aside from the thousands of TV commercials I’d doubtless ingested over the years.

Brewscape: The Latest Craft Beer Brand News

In craft beer news: Odell Brewing founders to retire from daily operations in January; Rhinegeist plans to implement ESOP in 2020

Bevscape

Bevscape: The Latest Beverage Brand News

In beverage news: Danone deepens plant-based dairy holdings with Forager Project investment; Peet’s closes Coldcraft unit to focus on shelf-stable coffee innovations

First Drop

The First Drop: My New #Family

History tends to make fun of those who sit on the wrong side of business evolution (note Gerry Khermouch’s column in this issue for warnings about too much adherence to tradition). We can’t stick to the old ways, or we might find ourselves on the sidelines, maybe still cheering for our teams but not in the hot seat anymore. And yet, I’m willing to risk it when it comes to LifeFuels.

Natural Products Expo East 2019 Review

The Natural Products Expo East trade show graced the Baltimore Convention Center one last time in 2019, ahead of the event’s relocation to Philadelphia next year.

Channel Check: What’s Hot and What’s Not

Bottled fruit drinks and additional beverage category comparisons by sales and growth.

NOSHscape: The Latest Food Brand News

In natural food industry news: Misfit pivots from juices to meat to save the planet; VMG to go retail with Velocity Snack Brands launch, acquires Popchips

Publisher's Toast

Publisher’s Toast: A Beverage Birthright That’s Now All the Rage

Today, seltzer and sparkling water have taken front and center in the beverage universe. What started as a trickle, with entries such as Sparkling Ice, a long time innovator, has led to a full- scale invasion.