Bourbon Glut? Bardstown Explores RTDs for Relief
Ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails may be one way through the bourbon glut, according to Bardstown Bourbon president Pete Marino.
Taste Radio: How Emily Griffith Transformed An Overlooked Superfood Into A Beloved Brand
Emily Griffith, the founder and CEO of fast-growing buckwheat-based food brand Lil Bucks, discusses the importance of clear messaging to connect with consumers and how simplicity, rather than over-innovation, led to success. She also talks about sourcing strategies, securing key retail partnerships, including Whole Foods and fundraising for the company’s Series A round.
New President Mel Landis on the Olipop “Unicorn”
Big soda has been Melvin “Mel” Landis’s meal ticket for most of his professional career. Now he’s gone to work for one of the brands with the greatest potential to disrupt that category, signing on as the president of Olipop.
Daily Briefing (Insiders Only): Poppi Super Bowl Fallout Continues As Rivals Pile On
The Super Bowl giveth, and the Super Bowl taketh away. That may be what Poppi is feeling this week as – just one year after earning plaudits for its splashy Super Bowl TV spot – the modern soda brand is reeling from fallout around its marketing stunt for this year’s Big Game.
Tru ‘Aligns Further’ With Polar Beverage On $4.6M Round
Functional drink Tru recently closed a $4.6 million funding round highlighted by further alignment with Polar Beverage who will now be handling manufacturing, distribution and warehousing for the brand.
Taste Radio: ‘Death’ vs. Poppi. And, How Plink’s Patience Is Paying Off.
As you may have heard, some people are upset with Poppi. While the soda brand’s Super Bowl ad caused a bit of consternation, we have a different take on it… and that of Liquid Death’s controversial TV spot. This episode also features an interview with Luke Montgomery-Smith, the co-founder of Plink, a brand of flavored, electrolyte-infused tablets designed to create effervescent and hydrating beverages.
New Products: PEEPS Milk, Perfy Pizza Soda and Paris Hilton Pods
This week’s new beverage launches include some innovative new soda flavors ranging from Mandarin Refresco to… Pepperoni Pizza? We also look at some co-branded partnerships involving PEEPS and Paris Hilton.
Dairy Farmers of America Accuses Westrock Coffee of Trade Secret Theft in Lawsuit
DFA, which provides co-packing services for RTD coffee beverage brands, alleged that Westrock, a private label coffee and tea manufacturer of poaching talent and stealing trade secrets in a lawsuit filed in November in a Missouri court.
Boxed Water Sells To Private Investment Group
Boxed Water is Better was acquired last week by Nyrad, LLC in a quiet transaction for one of the early players in non-plastic packaged water.
FTC: Southern Glazer’s Charges Independent Stores Up to 67% More Than Chain Retailers
Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits (SGWS) has consistently charged independent retailers as much as 12% to 67% more than national and regional chains for the same products, according to newly unsealed redactions in the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) price discrimination case against the distributor.
Oatly: Company Projects 2025 Will Be First Profitable Year as Public Company
Oatly CEO Jean-Christophe Flatin predicted that the Swedish plant milk business will have its first year of profitable growth since going public in 2025, praising the company’s efforts to improve its supply chain and overhead structure during its Q4 and full year 2024 earnings report this morning.
DISCUS: 2024 Spirit Sales Flat; RTDs and Tequila At Vodka’s Heels
The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) in its annual economic briefing on Tuesday warned that the declining U.S. spirits market will likely continue to face challenges for the foreseeable future.
Hailee Steinfeld Unveils RTD Cocktail Brand Angel Margarita
Actor and singer Hailee Steinfeld is the latest celebrity seeking to make a splash in the RTD cocktail space, announcing today the launch of Angel Margarita in partnership with Jordi Zindel and Rodrigo Hernandez of Premium Beers Group.
Reviews: Liquid Death, Throne Sport Coffee, House of Cha, Dappy
In this roundup of new product reviews, we check in with a Super Bowl QB's favorite sport coffee, sip booze-free functional drinks from Dappy, enter the House of Cha and come face to face with Liquid Death's new soda-inspired sparkling waters.