SPINS: Kombucha Grows in MULO, Declines in Natural

In an interview with BevNET, Perteet Spence, VP of Strategic Solutions at SPINS, discussed the current state of the kombucha industry, including how multi-serve bottles and shelf-stable formats are influencing growth, how flavors are diversifying across channels and the rise of the alcoholic kombucha category.

Distribution Roundup: LifeAID Adds Target

LifeAID Adds 1,000 Target Stores; Sol-ti Expands to Sprouts; NewAge to Distribute Wingman Smart Energy; VIDE Adds Savannah Distributing; Marquis Adds DSD Houses in the West

Taste Radio Insider Ep. 100: How Outer Aisle Became The Fastest Growing Food Brand In The U.S.

Jeanne David, founder & CEO, Outer Aisle spoke about how being early on several current food trends helped the brand land its first major retailer, why the company aims to “revolutionize” a legacy food category, why she decided not to outsource manufacturing and why she urges entrepreneurs to use experienced advisors during a fundraising process.

Review: Culture Pop Soda

Launched this spring by a trio of industry veterans, Culture Pop is a line of mid calorie sugar sweetened sodas that are uniquely flavored and enhanced with probiotics. The initial lineup includes four flavors: Orange Mango Chili & Lime, Wildberry & Peppercorn, Ginger Lemon & Turmeric and Watermelon Lime & Rosemary.

Liquid Death Raises $23M in Series B Round

This week, the California-based brand announced it has closed a $23 million Series B funding round led by an unnamed family office. The round also saw participation from Convivialite Ventures, punk musician Fat Mike of the band NOFX, sports analyst Pat McAfee and prior investor Velvet Sea Ventures, among others.

La Colombe Signs Distribution Pact With Molson Coors

Philadelphia-based coffee roaster La Colombe has entered an exclusive partnership with Molson Coors Beverage Company to distribute the brand’s ready-to-drink coffee products in the drug and convenience channels starting in 2021, with plans to eventually transition distribution for all channels to the Molson Coors network over time.

Nielsen: Monster Sales Decelerate Over Labor Day Weekend

Monster Beverage Corp. saw dollar sales growth decelerate in the two week period ending September 19, up 4.9% year over year compared to stronger 6.6% growth in the 4-week period and a 7% increase in the 12-weeks, according to an analysis of Nielsen data by Goldman Sachs Equity Research.

Gallery: September’s New Products

September’s new product launches (or announcements, in some cases) reflected a wide variety of unique flavor innovations, ranging from spicy -- courtesy of cannabis-infused social tonic Cann and new cacao brand Blue Stripes -- to sweet, as in an apple pie-inspired hydration mix from Liquid I.V.

October 2020 Content Calendar: CBD Event, Category Close-Ups + Investor Speed Dating

Explore challenges and opportunities in the infused product space during “CBD Today and Tomorrow”, freshen up on sparkling water and ice cream with our Category Close-Up series, participate in investor speed dating and hear from entrepreneurs and experts during Office Hours, Elevator Talk and a new show from NOSH’s Editor Carol Ortenberg.

Office Hours: Join our Live Audience with Project Potluck Oct. 2

We’re adding an in-studio interactive audience for BevNET and NOSH’s signature learning and strategy show, Office Hours, which will tape on Oct. 2 at 10:30 a.m. EDT, so come join us as we speak with the people behind Project Potluck, a new group focused on building opportunities for diverse members of the entrepreneurial community.

Nielsen: Non-Alcoholic Beverage Slows Post-Labor Day

Major beverage corporations continued to report growth despite a slight decrease in total non-alcoholic beverage sales over the last two weeks, according to a Goldman Sachs Equity Research analysis of Nielsen sales data through Sept. 19.