Press Clips: Beverage Giants Look to Monetize Tap Water
As plastic water bottle sales decrease amidst concerns over carbon and plastic waste, beverage giants are turning to other ways to profit from water, Bloomberg reported.
Elevator Talk: H2OPS Brings Hops to the Sparkling Water Category
Paul Tecker is the founder of H2OPS, a beverage brand crafting sparkling water brewed with hops. The zero calorie non-alcoholic beverage aims to serve beer drinkers who want to enjoy hops on more occasions, as well as millennials that are looking to reduce their alcohol consumption.
Taste Radio Ep. 187: An Iconic Cooking Brand ‘Doesn’t Do Anything’ Without Knowing This First
David Nussbaum, the chairman and CEO of America’s Test Kitchen, spoke about how the venerable cooking brand has maintained a remarkably loyal following amid a changing landscape for food and media, how it evaluates its role as a thought leader, and how trends, competition and technology factor into its future. This episode is presented by Flavorman, the beverage architects.
Review: Oath
Oath is a new line of organic plant-based protein smoothies made with an oat milk base and sweetened with apple fiber. Each 12 oz. bottle contains 15-16 grams of protein and 5-10 grams of fiber, depending on the SKU.
Mooala Closes $8.3M Series A Round
Plant-based dairy maker Mooala announced today it has raised $8.3 million in a Series A financing round led by Sweat Equities. The round brings the three-year-old brand’s total funding to more than $13 million. The round also includes additional financing from M3 Ventures, which led Mooala’s $5 million seed round last year.
Beverage Veterans Join CBD Brand Ojai Energetics
Upstart CBD brand Ojai Energetics has added two beverage industry veterans to its management team, with former Coke executive Tom Hicks coming on as COO and Jim Tonkin joining the company’s advisory board.
Chobani President Peter McGuinness, La Colombe Co-Founder and CEO Todd Carmichael to Speak at BevNET Live
The cooperative dynamic between young and mature entrepreneurial brands will be front and center on Dec. 9 at BevNET Live in Santa Monica when Peter McGuinness, Chobani’s president, and Todd Carmichael, the CEO and co-founder of La Colombe, take part in a “fireside conversation” on the challenges of timing innovation in beverage categories and the way the companies’ close ties allow them to learn from each other in terms of product development and scale.
Industry Responds to USDA Hemp Guidelines
The USDA last week added its interim final rule for the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program to the Federal Register. As the guidelines are implemented, hemp industry leaders reacted with a mix of relief, excitement and hope for a future of regulated cannabis food and drink products.
Review: GT’s Aqua Kefir
GT’s Aqua Kefir is a six-SKU line of water kefir beverages that are positioned as “sparkling probiotic drinks.” While these products aren’t kombucha, which GT’s is obviously known for, they might be the company’s most mainstream offerings to date.
Taste Radio Insider Ep. 58: The Path From Niche To Mainstream
In this episode, we’re joined by Kelly Heekin and Ben Schmidt, the co-founders of Hoist, a brand of hydration beverages developed to be a more palatable version of Pedialyte. They discussed their strategy for mainstreaming a niche concept, why “staying power and the ability to adapt” have been critical to Hoist’s development and how they communicated their vision to stakeholders.
Gallery: October’s New Products
In this gallery, we look at some of October’s notable launches, such as the latest from Health-Ade, Odwalla and REBBL, along with seasonal releases from Sparkling Ice, Hank’s Gourmet Beverages and Pressed Juicery.
Guayakí Self-Distribution Model Rolls On
As outlined by co-founder David Karr, Guayaki eventual goal is complete self-distribution, to which the brand is over halfway there with approximately 10,000 accounts -- or, “all of California and basically most of the U.S., outside of natural [retailers],” -- serviced by a fleet of over 300 electric cars.
Review: Mad Tasty
Mad Tasty is an upstart line of CBD infused sparkling water that features 20 mg of broad-spectrum hemp extract. There are currently two flavors, Watermelon Kiwi and Grapefruit, both of which contain zero calories and no sweeteners.
Distribution Roundup: Waltz CBD Seltzer Launches in Colorado
Waltz CBD Seltzer Launches in Colorado; NOCCO Adds 500 Accounts Nationwide; Phivida Partners with Gotham Brands for Oki Rollout; Califia Farms Adds 3,200 7-Eleven Stores; Spindrift Launches in Publix; Cafe Agave To Expand Across the Country; Petal Adds Gelson’s; Positive Beverage Adds Target in California and Colorado