In a world where, for many years, soy milk was the only alternative for lactose-avoiding latte lovers, the plethora of alt-milk options available today has created some category winners, a handful of new opportunities and two industries that will likely remain inextricably linked.
The annual BevNET New Beverage Guide.
For a category in which unflavored varieties and a small group of basic flavors have long dominated, a wave of disruption seems to have finally arrived.
Thanks to decades of consumer education, microbiomes and probiotics have become household terms. So how come kombucha hasn’t been more widely recognized as the ultimate sugary soda killer for a generation of more informed and discerning consumers?
The annual NACS trade show was lively as usual this year, giving industry watchers a peek into the innovation strategies and growth plans of powerhouse global brands like Coca-Cola, Red Bull and Pepsi.
In craft beer news: Craft Brewery Consolidation Continues; Blake’s Hard Cider and Austin Eastciders Merge; Shiner Enters the Non-Alc Market with Rode0 Golden Brew; More NA Beer in 2024; Rhinegeist, New Belgium Appoint New CEOs; Oskar Blues’ Austin Brewery and Taproom Closes; Ninkasi Shutters Better Living Room; and Two Roads and Guy Fieri Team Up for Flavortown Spiked FMB.
In beverage news: Keurig Dr Pepper, Electrolit Agree On Long-Term Sales & Distribution Pact; Barcode Launches in New York with Rainforest Partnership; Manna Beverages to Acquire Nor-Cal Beverage Co.; and Better Booch to Acquire Live Beverages in First M&A Deal.
Being the cockeyed optimist and cheerleader of the beverage industry, I see the year ending positively and look forward to even greater gains in 2024. We deserve nothing less.
Weight control and nutritionals by sales and growth.
In food industry news: Cibo Vita Acquired By PE Firm Citation Capital; Smashmallow Wins $21M From The Case That Caused Business Shut Down; Daily Harvest Chief Supply Chain Officer To Become CEO; 4th & Heart Gets $10M To Scale Ghee Stick Production; Repole’s Impact Capital Acquires Majority of Junkless Foods; and Second Nature Picks Up Sahale From Smuckers.
Yes, finding growth funding has become more difficult, particularly for brands whose plans don’t make a lot of sense in the first place. But there is a vast reservoir of capital out there waiting to be deployed.
It’s been 15 years now since “Stay Positive” debuted on the album of the same name, and it remains a powerful anthem, especially as we’re all getting jostled within the crowd.
