Breakthru Beverage Enters Hemp Distribution
Breakthru Beverage Group, one of the largest beverage wholesalers in the U.S., is entering intoxicating hemp drink distribution.
Uncle Nearest Seeks Chapter 11 Amid Receivership Fight, Founder Sues Lender (UPDATED)
The founder of Uncle Nearest has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after the troubled bourbon company defaulted on more than $100 million in loans and went into receivership.
Lifeway Closes 2025 With Q4 Growth; +18% Sales in FY
Lifeway continues to enjoy revenue growth from increased volume, recording double-digit jumps in sales and net income after a year in which the company batted down a mooted acquisition by stakeholder Danone.
Milo’s Aims to Control the Chilled Category
Lemonade and sweet tea brand Milo’s is building toward a goal of $1 billion in retail sales by investing across production, distribution and innovation.
How Mission Craft Cocktails Went From 2K To 80K Cases In One Year
Mission Craft Cocktails, the Southern California brand built on bar-strength ready-to-serve and drink (RTS/RTD) cocktails made with premium ingredients, went from selling roughly 2,000 cases in 2024 to over 81,000 in 2025. But that growth was only achieved by a high tolerance for risk, said the founders.
People Moves: Sol-ti Hits Gas With Leadership Shuffle; Lucky Enlists Congo Vet
Sol-ti is growing its management team with a full slate of new hires, plus more people moves from PepsiCo, Lucky Energy and La Colombe.
Taste Radio: Gary Vee On Marketing, Micro-Quitting & His New CPG Brand
Gary Vaynerchuk believes the future of CPG might look a lot more like Pokémon than packaged goods. In this episode, Gary unveils his new better-for-you gummy brand Very Luckee, and how he’s betting big on collectibles as a driver of consumer engagement. He also explains why he’s bullish on organic social media to power its growth and why entrepreneurs should embrace “micro quitting.”
Family Startup HRBL Debuts with Adaptogenic Functional Drink Line
With relaxation and immunity still key priorities for consumers, New Jersey-based startup brand HRBL is leaning into adaptogenic ingredients to meet those needs.
Bloom Unveils Protein, Soda Innovation at Expo West
At Natural Products Expo West last week, BevNET caught up with Bloom CEO and co-founder Greg LaVecchia to chat about where the brand is finding organic traction with female consumers, the importance of Bloom's digital-first strategy, the rise of clear protein and what innovation Bloom has in store for this year.
National Beverage Corp. Increases Gross Profit As Sales Slip
LaCroix sparkling water company National Beverage Corp. reported third-quarter net sales slightly below the same period last year, but a margin increase year-over-year.
New Products: Coffee, Energy Drinks and CSDs From Expo West & Beyond
Protein is great, but how is that supposed to keep us awake in the afternoon? Luckily this past week has seen plenty of innovation in the caffeine world, with buzzy releases from coffee stalwarts Happy, La Colombe and Dunkin', along with energy-boosted launches from Sparkling Ice and Liquid I.V.
PRÉS Looks Beyond Short-Term Trends with Protein Coffee Rollout
While protein was all over Natural Products Expo West 2026 last week, PRÉS, a startup protein coffee brand at the show, is seeking to build a business that can thrive far past the current protein hype.
Taste Radio: Target’s Bigger Grocery Play & Angel Investors On What’s Next
Target is expanding its food and beverage footprint with new store concepts and larger grocery sections – potentially creating more space for emerging brands. The hosts discuss what it means for startups and also spotlight notable trends and brands from Expo West. The episode also features interviews from our Miami meetup, including one with angel investor Spencer Slaine.
New RTDs From Lucky One, On The Rocks, Saint Spritz and More
From Gallo’s spiked lemonade getting a sweet tea makeover to Surfside taking on the spiked sports drink, this month’s ready-to-drink (RTD) releases lean hard into better-for-you credentials, nostalgia, and a whole lot of iced tea.