Cover Story

Modern Family: Led by Olipop, Poppi, and Culture Pop, A New Generation of Soda Sits at the Table

This past October, Walmart announced it was officially recognizing a new beverage category in its stores with a refreshed shelf set it was calling “Modern Soda.” The retailer's new category designation, complete with an umbrella name for a soft drink trend that has long defied simple characterization as merely “better-for-you” or “functional”, is just one more moment of validation for these fast-rising brands.

Features

New Beverage Guide 2024/2025

BevNET's annual New Beverage Guide.

National Cider Month: A Call for Collaboration in the Hard Cider Segment

For most folks, October is the time to bring old sweaters out of storage, indulge in pumpkin-flavored-everything and grab a last-minute Halloween costume. For Schilling Hard Cider, October is its Super Bowl.

Sour Milk: Plant-Based Dairy Strategizes Around Simplicity Amid Slumping Sales

Plant-based milk is looking for fresher soil. While oat milk lattes and almond milk creamers have become a mainstay at most coffeeshops, retail sales for plant-based dairy have declined in the last year.

Sober & Sparkling: Alcohol moderation is enhancing – and challenging – the idea of what a sparkling water can be.

Over the past decade, conventional wisdom suggested that the rising popularity of zero-calorie sparkling water was a result of consumers’ slow pivot away from sugary sodas. But could alcohol moderation prove an even more powerful influence on the category?

NACS Review

NACS is nothing if not a reminder that Americans love their caffeine. This year’s annual convenience store trade show in October featured more than a few coffee brands and energy drinks checking each other out with thirsty eyes.

Brewscape: The Latest Craft Beer Brand News

In craft beer news: Lord Hobo Merges with Lone Pine Brewing; Georgetown Brewing Acquires Timber City Ginger Beer; Maui Parent Company Spins Modern Times Off into Strategic Partnerships; and American Cider Association CEO Michelle McGrath to Leave Trade Group At End of Year.

Bevscape

Bevscape: The Latest Beverage Brand News

In beverage news: Lemon Perfect's New CEO Says Scaling Top Priority as Brand Looks to ‘Go Anywhere’; Molson Coors Takes Majority Stake in ZOA Energy; Keurig Dr Pepper To Acquire GHOST, Expanding Energy Business; and Electrolit Taking Production to Texas in 2026.

Publisher's Toast

Publisher’s Toast: Looking Back

“New Age” beverages, as coined by Michael Bellas, of Beverage Marketing Corp., changed the industry forever. Now there were hundreds of brands entering the market, the ones we chronicle daily.

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

Spiked seltzer by sales and growth.

NOSHscape: The Latest Food Brand News

In food industry news: One Trick Pony Secures Seed Round From Collaborative Fund; PepsiCo Takes Full Ownership of Sabra For $240.8M; UpSnack Brands Brings Pipcorn, Spudsy Together Under One Roof; and Oishii Adds $16M, Closes Series B At $150M.

Gerry's Insights

Gerry’s Insights: Beer DSDs Have Got Them Baby Done Ghosted Me Blues

In my newsletter Beverage Business Insights a few weeks ago, I riffed on that Albert King blues classic, “Born Under a Bad Sign.” You know, the one with the lament, “If it wasn’t for bad luck, I wouldn’t have any luck at all.” For the beer systems singing the blues on their non-alcoholic fortunes, it should really be, “I wouldn’t have NA luck at all.”

First Drop

First Drop: Holiday Wishes for the Beverage Industry

It’s been a bruising fall for a lot of people and as we round the corner into 2025, I thought it might be a good time to offer some gifts to people within the industry.