Star Buzz: Blake Lively Launches Low-Alc RTD
Blake Lively is the newest celebrity to jump into the booze world, although she’s already had one foot in the door.
Q&A: How Gut Microbiome Research And Grants Guide Danone’s Innovation
Yogurt has long been viewed as a staple of healthy diets, but it’s just part of a growing conversation around the gut microbiome – and one in which relevant CPG players, including Danone, are hoping to have a bigger part. We recently chatted with Dr. Miguel Freitas, VP of Health and Scientific Affairs North America, to learn what value the global food and beverage conglomerate sees in funding first party research.
Monster Reaches Agreement To Acquire Bang
Monster Beverage Corp. has been revealed as the winning bidder for Vital Pharmaceuticals, maker of Bang Energy, per court documents filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Bankruptcy Court in Florida. However, a pending U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigation could derail the deal.
Low-Alc Haus Relaunches Under New Ownership
Sometimes it’s better to be right than to be early. Before the no/low alcohol category grew into a $11 billion business, Haus, a low-ABV Sonoma-based aperitif brand launched to much buzz in 2019.
NielsenIQ: Non-Alc Dollar Sales Slow as Volume Declines Pick Up
As volume declines worsened against stable pricing growth, non-alcoholic beverage sales decelerated sequentially in the two-week period ending June 17, according to an analysis of NielsenIQ data by Goldman Sachs Equity Research.
Lucky Jack Coffee Acquired By Private Label Producer
Cold brew brand Lucky Jack has been acquired by private label manufacturer Magnum Coffee Roastery earlier this year for an undisclosed amount. Magnum has added Lucky Jack’s high-caffeine extraction IP, facility, products and manufacturing capabilities as part of the deal.
On-Premise: Whiskey Leads, Vodka RTDs Reign
With traffic at bars and restaurants expected to pick up this holiday weekend, new data from on-premise market research firm CGA provides some insight on the top spirits and RTDs, and who will be enjoying them.
Taste Radio: How Challenger Brands Like Chubby Snacks Gain The Upper Hand
Dillion Ceglio, the co-founder and CEO of better-for-you PB&J sandwich brand Chubby Snacks, spoke about the duality of building a brand that is inextricably aligned with its primary competitor, why he strives to be an expert in everything related to the production and sale of Chubby Snacks, and why he believes that entrepreneurship shouldn’t necessarily be viewed as a fun job.
Year One: Pronghorn Raises $200M, Invests in 19 Black-Owned Brands
Investment firm Pronghorn marked its one-year anniversary by announcing that it had raised $200 million to support its mission to cultivate the next generation of Black entrepreneurs and executives in the spirits industry.
Team Taika: Oscar-Winner Waititi Joins Functional Latte Brand As Creative Chief
Functional latte maker Taika has secured the celebrity partnership it’s been dreaming of since the day it took its name, as Oscar-winning actor and filmmaker Taika Waititi has joined the company as Chief Creative Officer.
Diageo, Diddy Officially Sever Ties
Less than one month after the music mogul and entrepreneur filed a lawsuit against business partner Diageo, the global spirits company announced today it has severed ties with Combs.
Seoul Juice Teams With U.S. Soccer Star; Launching Costco NW
Asian pear juice startup Seoul Juice has scored a new equity partner — U.S. men’s soccer player and MLS star Jordan Morris — ahead of its forthcoming launch at Costco stores in the Pacific Northwest next month.
Teaching Tepache: New Alcoholic RTDs Aim to Ferment U.S. Interest
Tepache, a fermented beverage native to Mexico, has been enjoyed south of the border since pre-Columbian times, but to many Americans it’s still an unfamiliar drink, particularly as a commercial product.
Bang: Judge Orders Electronic Devices Put on ‘Lockdown’
Several electronic devices owned by Bang Energy manufacturer Vital Pharmaceuticals (VPX) have been placed on “lockdown” by a Florida federal bankruptcy court after former CEO Jack Owoc was accused last week by VPX’s attorneys of extracting and sharing privileged corporate information, following his termination from the beverage company in March.