Review: Athletic Brewing’s DayPack Hop Infused Seltzer

DayPack is a new line extension from Athletic Brewing and the company’s first offering outside of the non-alcoholic beer space. DayPack pairs hops, which is perhaps the best known beer ingredient, with fruit flavors to create a unique entry into the flavored sparkling water category.

Taste Radio: There Are Millions To Be Made In Niche. Oded Brenner Explains How.

Today’s episode features an interview with Oded Brenner, the founder of both Max Brenner, an international chain of upscale chocolate-centric cafes, and Blue Stripes, a unique brand of food and beverages made from upcycled cacao fruit. Brenner spoke about his unconventional approach to entrepreneurship, why he believes that “there will always be a place for the niche,” why he embraces ideas that would commonly be perceived as mistakes and his definition for the ultimate form of success.

BevNET & NOSH June Events: Virtually Live, Pitch Competitions, Boot Camp

Get ready for June. BevNET and NOSH are cooking up a virtual feast of brand-building content and suspense, including BevNET & NOSH Virtually Live, our signature New Beverage Showdown and NOSH Pitch Slam, and a Boot Camp for new brands that encompasses both Food and Beverage startups.

Distribution Roundup: UFO Partners with Imperfect Foods; Proposition Cocktail Enters Urban Outfitters

California-based hemp milk maker UFO announced this month that it has opened a new 7,000 sq ft. co-packing facility, owned by a local SoCal brewery, ahead of a distribution expansion this year; Hemp extract-infused mocktail maker Proposition Cocktail Co. announced that it has partnered with Urban Outfitters for online sales, increasing the California-based brand’s nationwide presence.

MANTRA Labs Closes $1.5M Seed Round

Powdered beverage maker MANTRA Labs announced this month that it has closed a $1.5 million seed round, intended to help the company expand its around-the-clock health and wellness platform brand.

Nuun Expands Platform with Launch of Energy Line

Powdered hydration beverage maker Nuun is continuing to build out its suite of functional products with its latest line extension, Nuun Energy. The dissolvable tablets contain a blend of 80 mg of caffeine sourced from organic green tea extract, Vitamins B5, B6 and B12, ginseng and electrolytes for hydration.

Forager Expands Creamery Model with Ice Cream Launch

Former juice brand Forager Project this week announced it would launch plant-based ice cream — the next step in the company’s goal to become a plant-based “creamery.” The ice cream will debut in five flavors: Vanilla Bean, Bittersweet Chocolate, Cookies and Cream, Salted Caramel and Mint Chip, the line will be available nationwide this Spring.

Target Commits Over $2B To Support Black-owned Businesses

Target is committing over $2 billion towards supporting Black-owned businesses through the end of 2025, the retailer announced today, as part of a broader effort to use its “size, scale and resources to create opportunity” for those companies.

Acid League Closes Round, Seeks to Reinvent Center Store Staples

Last week condiment and beverage brand Acid League announced it had closed $4.75 million in funding — capital the brand says will help it expand its omnichannel sales and marketing strategy as well as continue the company’s push into new categories.

Nielsen: COVID Anniversary Reflected in Mixed Total Beverage Sales

Non-alcoholic beverage sales saw mixed year-over-year results for the period ending March 27 as the industry passes the one-year anniversary of COVID-induced pantry loading, according to an analysis of Nielsen data by Goldman Sachs Equity Research.

Office Hours: Fractionals Lead to the Greater Whole

The latest Office Hours deals with the strategic use of fractional executives, including ways to develop trust, keep communication top-of-mind, and thoughts on the transition of roles as companies grow into larger armies.

New Dill: The Pickle Juice Company Builds Its Platform

The idea of drinking “Pickle Juice” may raise a lot of people’s eyebrows, and it’s a reaction The Pickle Juice Company is no stranger to. But as consumer awareness around the functional benefits of organic pickle juice-based drinks grows, the Texas-based beverage company is rapidly transforming to a broad-platform, international brand.

Profile: Waterbird Spirits RTD Cocktails Take Flight

Since launching, the Charlottesville, Virginia-based company has expanded its offerings from vodka to tequila-based drinks, and from three to 30 states, aligning itself with distributors such as Columbia and Gold Coast Beverage.