In this latest roundup of distribution news, we check in with next-gen hydration brand Local Weather, plus MAKA, Johnny Damon’s A-Game and Top Note Tonics.
đ¤ď¸ Clear Days Ahead for Local Weather
We haven’t heard a whole lot about next-gen hydration drink Local Weather since the launch of the brand — backed by social media guru/investor Gary Vanyerchuck, NFL quarterback Russell Wilson and an eye-catching aluminum bottle — was announced last March. But the product has been on the move: according to a LinkedIn post from VP of sales Jordan Shulman, it’s now available nationwide via online natural grocers Misfits Markets and Imperfect Foods. That comes on the heels of its nationwide debut at Whole Foods; when it rains, it pours, as they say in the weather biz.
đľ Top Note Extends in Minnesota
Premium mixer brand Top Note Tonics is partnering with Bourget Imports to bring its full range to stores in Minnesota, including sodas Cascara Cola and Sparkling Lemon-Limeade. The brand is currently on retail shelves in eight states, including Alaska, Nebraska, Nevada and Texas. The brand has also dabbled in the RTD cocktail space, collaborating with Marz Brewery in 2022 on a canned Gin and Tonic and Vodka Mule.
𪴠MAKA Gets Fresh
MAKA‘s search for traction in a niche natural sub-category — organic wheatgrass beverages — appears to be finding some purchase, as this week the company announced that last month it entered coolers in all 161 locations of The Fresh Market. Available in four flavors (Coconut Pineapple, Mango, Lemon and Hibiscus Passionfruit), each 12 oz. can contains the equivalent of eight 1 oz wheatgrass shots, blended with Yerba mate and guayusa for 90mg of natural caffeine.
The company partnered with brand accelerator Take Root by national sales agency Green Spoon, designed to “build strong foundations for MAKA” before moving into Green Spoon. Its retail footprint also includes Sprouts, Fresh Market, Gelsonâs, Erewhon and Bristol Farms, among others.
And in other Fresh Market news, Vietnamese coffee RTD Sang is in there as of this week, too.
đťââď¸ Polar Brings A-Game to New England
Remember one-time Boston Red Sox hero Johnny Damon? They do in Massachusetts, where Worcester-based Polar Beverages is taking on Damon’s sports drink venture A-Game for distribution throughout New England, according to a release. The brand is attempting to jump in the evolving sports hydration space with a 16 oz. PET bottle that touts a formulation that boasts sea salt for natural electrolytes, no artificial flavors or sweeteners, and eight essential vitamins. A-Game in six flavors across sugar (20 grams) and zero-sugar (erythritol, stevia) versions.
Polar is the latest Keurig Dr Pepper-affiliated bottler to take on the brand alongside Kalil Bottling in Arizona. A-Game also signed a deal earlier this month to become the Official Sports Hydration Beverage of the Ballparks of America campus during the 2024 and 2025 baseball seasons.