Uber to Acquire Drizly for $1.1 Billion in Stock and Cash Deal
Ride-sharing tech behemoth Uber Technologies has struck a deal to acquire on-demand alcohol delivery marketplace Drizly for $1.1 billion in stock and cash, the companies announced today.
Cannabis Trade Group Forms Beverage Council
The American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp announced last week the formation of the Cannabis Beverage Council, a new industry group that will seek to support U.S. brands in both regulatory and market initiatives.
Positive Beverage Splits with Kelly Dodd Following Controversial Statements
Positive Beverage has severed ties with celebrity influencer Kelly Dodd, following controversial statements about COVID-19 by the “Real Housewives of Orange County” star. The decision to fire Dodd came this weekend after Instagram posts showing her flouting pandemic safety guidelines came under fire from fans and media.
VPX-Owned Brand Quash Seltzer Sues PepsiCo
VPX Pharmaceuticals took its legal battle against PepsiCo to a second front this week as VPX-aligned company Quash Seltzer LLC filed a lawsuit alleging the conglomerate has threatened its prospective distribution partners out of doing business.
Product Showcase – Kombucha & Probiotics (Bonus Interviews)
In our last episode of Category Closeup: Product Showcase, we spoke with a range of kombucha and probiotic drink brand leaders about their latest product launches and market strategy. This clip features additional interviews from the show with Circle Beverage, Humm Kombucha and Urban Farm Fermentory.
Virtual Plant-Based Milk Museum to Open in February
Seeking to ride the momentum fueling explosive consumer interest in non-dairy milks, Milk Future, a free virtual museum designed to educate consumers and spread awareness about non-dairy plant-based milks, is set to go live on February 1.
Taste Radio Insider Ep. 110: Why Asking For Specific Advice Helped This Brand Secure $7.5 Million In Funding
Denise Woodard, the founder and CEO of fast-growing allergen-friendly food brand Partake Foods, spoke about the benefits of “leaning into” cost-saving retailer programs, how she went from raising thousands of dollars at a time to multi-million, celebrity-led funding rounds, how the tragedy and social unrest of 2020 impacted Partake and why she sings the praises of a having a leadership coach.
Gallery: January’s New Products
A new year means new products. In this gallery, we showcase new CBD brand launches from Molson Coors and Indeed Brewing Company, flavorful innovations in coffee creamers via International Delight, Natural Bliss and Shamrock Farms, as well as new line extensions from Chobani, Mooala and Vita Coco among other launches.
Whey Out: Dairy-Based Brands Seek Plant-Powered Expansion
As consumers continue to embrace plant-based diets, the protein drink category is no exception to the growing trend towards vegan products. But as plant-based protein startups like OWYN and Koia grow, established companies that have long played in the animal-based sector are now looking to get in. This year, a number of protein drink makers -- from PepsiCo-owned CytoSport to enhanced water maker Protein2o -- are introducing new plant-based lines in a move to set the pace in an emerging market.
Backed by Agri-Tech Co. Brandt, Hellowater to Launch Immunity Line
Agricultural technology company Brandt has invested in fiber-infused water brand hellowater to bring its proprietary immune support ingredient into the beverage world.
UFO Blasts Off with Clean Label Hemp Milk Line
As the market for plant-based milks grow to “out of this world” proportions, so to speak, some consumers are taking note of the sugars and preservatives used in leading brands. Enter UFO (standing for Udder Free Only), a California-based brand of premium, clean label hemp milks made with chia and oat flour.
Review: RISE Brewing London Fog
RISE Brewing’s London Fog is an organic, nitrogen-infused oat milk latte that’s made with Earl Grey Tea.
Specialty Food Association Shifts Summer Fancy Food Show to September
Originally scheduled for late June, the Summer 2021 Fancy Food Show, renamed as the Fancy Food Show, will now be held September 27-29 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City. The show will be the sole SFA in-person event for this year, after the Winter 2021 Fancy Food Show was previously cancelled.
Sesh Seeks Middle Ground With Hybrid Cocktail-Seltzers
One year, one rebrand and one reformulation after its original scheduled launch, XED Beverages co-founders Zeke Bronfman and Nate Medow are looking to pick up from where they never got a chance to start with the company's debut product: Sesh, a four-SKU line of 6% ABV cocktail-based spiked seltzers.