BevNET Announces Best of 2020 Award Winners
BevNET honors the companies, brands, individuals, products, ideas and trends that shaped the beverage landscape during a year of unprecedented challenges and disruption.
Pepsi Positions MTN DEW Game Fuel for D2C With New Digital Platform
Beyond its appeal to gamers, though, the launch of a dedicated direct-to-consumer digital platform for MTN DEW Game Fuel may also represent a potential testing of the waters for Pepsi’s future endeavors in e-commerce.
Sweetwater Owner Aphria to Merge with Tilray, Create World’s Largest Cannabis Company
Just two weeks after closing on the acquisition of Atlanta’s Sweetwater Brewing Company, Canadian cannabis company Aphria has reached an agreement to merge with Tilray, forming the world’s largest cannabis company valued at $3.8 billion.
Distribution Roundup: Don’t Quit! to Board KDP Trucks in Early 2021
Don’t Quit!, the meal replacement shake brand developed by Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP), L.A. Libations and fitness lifestyle company Body by Jake, is primed to roll out on KDP trucks early next year in a test run of its Max Protein line; also Circle Launches Direct-to-Consumer Online Store; KÖE Kombucha Expands in SoCal 7-Eleven Stores; Toutalou Partners with Urban Outfitters
Spirits Gallery: Ready-for-Winter RTDs
In the spirit of starting next year off with a touch of optimism, in this gallery we raise our glasses in acknowledgement of the latest ready-to-drink releases from the likes of Dry Fly, 503 Distilling, Cutwater Spirits, 'Merican Mule, Troop and Mayne & Co., along with newly launched Blue Blazer.
National Beverage Corp: Net Sales Rise in Second Quarter
National Beverage Corp., the maker of LaCroix, reported today that net sales increased 8% to $272 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2021. Gross margin was $108 million in the quarter, which ended October 31, up 16.4% year-over-year. Operating profit increased to 22.7% of sales, up from 16.6% last year while net income grew 44% to $47.2 million, or $1.01 per share.
Spirits Feature: Craft Spirit Brands Embrace DTC Approach, Despite 2020’s Challenges
With double digit increases in DTC sales both before and during the pandemic — the latter predicting continued growth for the foreseeable future — it’s easy to see why so many craft spirits companies have embraced the model as a major revenue source.
Nielsen: Red Bull Outpacing Category As Energy Decelerates
After months of climbing, energy drinks sales slowed during the two week period ending on November 28, according to an analysis of Nielsen data by Goldman Sachs.
Chobani Unveils Yogurt, Oat Milk Innovations in Wave of Product Launches
Building out their stake in rising consumer trends like gut health and plant-based diets, Chobani this month is releasing a broad slate of new products, including the Chobani Probiotics line of yogurts and drinks, and flavor extensions to its existing oat milk and creamers portfolio.
Update: Arbitrator Rules Pepsi-Bang Deal Remains Intact
Despite claims by Vital Pharmaceuticals/VPX Sports boss Jack Owoc that “terminated means terminated,” PepsiCo can continue to distribute the energy drink until the completion of ongoing dispute between the two parties, according to an emergency arbitration ruling issued on Monday.
Molson Coors Invests in Arriba, Deepening L.A. Libations Partnership
Molson Coors Beverage Company is further solidifying its relationship with L.A. Libations by investing in Arriba, a brand of michelada mixers operated by the California-based incubator. The partnership will place Arriba into Molson Coors’ distribution network, with a focus on growing the brand in the California and Texas markets.
Taste Radio Ep. 234: ‘Once’ Co-Founders Garner & Foraker Open Up About The Importance Of Mission, Middle America & BLM
Once Upon a Farm co-founders Jennifer Garner and John Foraker spoke about the evolution of the company’s strategy for winning over retail buyers, merchandising and communicating brand attributes over recent years and why they believe that “everything starts with the consumer.” They also discussed the company’s relationship with Save The Children and its response to the Black Lives Matter movement.
BevNET Live is Today! Access the Virtual Venue.
The virtual main stage at BevNET Live begins with Kara Goldin, HINT's CEO, sharing the lessons she has learned and how they can help beverage brands as they deal with these tumultuous times. Her discussion will be followed by a panel of executives from Ollipop, Better Booch, and So Good So You discussing how their brands managed raises, rebrands, and sales growth in the midst of all the upheaval. Registered attendees can access today's presentations, networking and on-demand content through the virtual venue.
Blue Ridge Bucha Acquired by Venture Capitalist Hank Heyming
Virginia-based kombucha brand Blue Ridge Bucha announced last week that it has been acquired by Hank Heyming, a venture capitalist who is also the co-founder and a managing partner of Trolley Ventures. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.