Another year is behind us and, as is tradition around here, we like to close out the calendar with a look back at what stories caught the most attention of our readers. As we count down to 2025, here’s a countdown of the Top 10 most read BevNET stories of 2024.
10. Report: Spindrift Close to $650M Sale to Private Equity
The early December rumor that independent sparkling water maker Spindrift might finally be closing an exit deal spread far and fast. Initially reported by The Wall Street Journal, we’re still waiting to see the other side of this story and whether an acquisition has or will be finalized, but you can rest assured we will be watching this one closely in the coming weeks.
9. Sweet Grass Vodka Takes a Sour Turn as Jeremy Renner Departs
Spirits startup Sweet Grass Vodka had a bitter year as Marvel actor Jeremy Renner cut ties with the business in June amid mounting legal troubles for the business; the company filed for bankruptcy shortly thereafter. The Charleston-based brand collapsed after the South Carolina Department of Revenue notified co-founder Jarrod Swanger of a failure to pay state income taxes for three years straight and its liquor manufacturing license was denied by the state.
Renner, for his part, has tried to distance himself as much as possible, deleting all mentions of Sweet Grass from his social media accounts.
8. Refresco Files $67M Lawsuit Alleging PRIME Maker Congo Backed Out of Production Deal
Legal drama clearly resonated with our readers in 2024, and beverage manufacturer Refresco’s $67 million suit against PRIME producer Congo brands was one of the biggest. In its complaint, Refresco accused Logan Paul and KSI’s sports drink and energy brand of backing out of a contract manufacturing deal before a single bottle was produced. It was a tough year for PRIME as it saw retail sales slide, but Refresco’s suit was our most read PRIME story of the year.
7. Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre Launch Gin & Juice RTD
In hindsight, given the rise of RTD cocktails and Snoop’s growing interest in CPG brand plays, it was only a matter of time before Gin & Juice became a reality. Named for the classic song, the canned cocktail rolled out to stores this year, but it’s Dr. Dre’s involvement that really made the news notable; the producer and mogul is notorious for rarely lending his name to brand deals, so his endorsement made the launch all the more exciting for classic hip hop fans.
6. Coca-Cola, Pepsi Preparing Prebiotic Soda Launches for 2025
It was a banner year for prebiotic soda brands making their names known in the mainstream, and perhaps nothing is as sure a sign that this trend is here to stay than the report that Coke and Pepsi are both throwing their hats in the ring next year. Coke, via its Simply brand, and PepsiCo, using the obscure launched-then-pulled Soulboost brand, are both looking to introduce their own gut health boosting functional CSDs in 2025. Both launches will surely make more headlines in the months to come.
5. Podcast Star Dr. Andrew Huberman Takes Majority Stake in Yerba Mate Brand Mateína
Wellness influencer Andrew Huberman commands attention, and his investment in canned yerba mate maker Mateína put a lot of eyes on the Canadian startup. Huberman made the investment in coordination with his investment firm Tiny and the brand is now working to build on the deal to make its name known and expand in the U.S.
4. Prebiotic Problems: Lawsuit Takes Aim at Poppi’s Gut Health Claims
Lawsuits made big news this year. So did prebiotic soda. The two coming together was, it seems, inevitable as Poppi faced a class action complaint alleging its claims around gut health are misleading. The brand was actually on the receiving end of two class action cases this year, the first in May and the second in the fall. Both happen to come as the brand has sought to de-emphasize health claims from its messaging and focus more on flavor as the selling point.
3. Rowdy Energy to Shut Down
It was the end of the road for Rowdy Energy this year. The brand, co-founded by former Suja head Jeff Church and NASCAR star Kyle Busch, officially closed up shop as “challenges in securing funding and difficulties in achieving the necessary turnover at the shelf” forced the company to shut down, according to Church.
2. Casa Azul Wins Trademark Case Against Clase Azul
Lance Collins got a big win in court this year as a judge ruled that his tequila brand Casa Azul was not in violation of fellow tequila maker Clase Azul’s trademarks. The court found that there were enough distinctions between the two brands to make the likelihood of confusion low, marking a legal victory for the entrepreneur’s spirits play.
1. Mark Anthony Brands, Lionel Messi Partner to Launch Hydration Drink
Celebrity brands can still make a big splash, it would seem, as our most read story of the year was the news that White Claw owner Mark Anthony Brands was teaming with soccer legend Lionel Messi for a new hydration beverage brand, later revealed to be called Mas+ by Messi. It’s in stores now, and we’ll be watching in 2025 to see if it lives up to its namesake’s stature in the market.