BevNET Live Winter 2019: Health-Ade, SPINS on Selling Innovation With Data

by BevNET.com Staff, Jan. 9, 2020 at 2:57 pm

In a video recorded at BevNET Live Winter 2019 in Santa Monica, California, Dew and Perteet Spencer, VP of CPG & enterprise sales at market research group SPINS, examined Health-Ade as a case study for effectively integrating data to scale in a fast-growing category, offering insight into how the kombucha brand was incubated in the natural channel and how analytics have helped it target the specific needs of health and wellness consumers.

Oatly Kicks Off 2020 Expansion Plan with Starbucks Partnership

by Brad Avery, Jan. 8, 2020 at 5:19 pm

Aiming to triple its distribution and open up West Coast production, Oatly has partnered with Starbucks to serve as the coffee retailer’s on-premise oat milk supplier for a test run in 1,300 Midwest cafes.

Elevator Talk: Quivr Fuels Health Conscious Consumers with Sweetener-Free Nitro Coffee and Tea

by BevNET.com Staff, Jan. 8, 2020 at 3:54 pm

Ash Crawford is the co-founder of Quivr, a nitro coffee and tea brand that aims to fuel health conscious and active consumers with plant-based energy. The company sources whole leaf teas from around the world and fresh locally roasted coffee beans to power its lineup, keeping it simple without any added sugar or sweeteners.

BevNET Live 2019 Video: Brew Dr.’s Matt Thomas Talks Evolving While Scaling

by BevNET.com Staff, Jan. 8, 2020 at 10:00 am

In this video of his presentation at BevNET Live Winter 2019, Brew Dr. Kombucha founder and CEO Matt Thomas discussed how beverage entrepreneurs can adapt and thrive as they face the challenge of scaling, sharing the importance of adopting a mindset that embraces constant growth and reflected on his day-to-day work building the company over the course of 14 years.

Facing Fraud Allegations, Co-Packer Optimus Fulfill Owner Files for Bankruptcy

by Brad Avery, Jan. 7, 2020 at 4:58 pm

Facing several lawsuits from former customers accusing him and his business partner of fraud, Prabhath Kasaraneni, the owner of Texas-based copacker Optimus Fulfill, has filed for bankruptcy, placing his company and assets up for liquidation.

Coca-Cola Acquires Full Ownership of Fairlife

by Martín Caballero, Jan. 7, 2020 at 4:25 pm

The Coca-Cola Company has acquired the remaining stake in dairy producer Fairlife LLC, the company announced on January 3. The soda giant had been a minority investor in Chicago-based Fairlife since 2012, holding a 42.5% stake in the brand through a joint venture partnership with Select Dairy Producers.

Taste Radio Ep. 195: How ‘Customer First’ Fuels One Of L.A.’s Hottest Brands

by BevNET.com Staff, Jan. 7, 2020 at 2:07 pm

Josh Zad, founder of trendsetting cafe chain Alfred Coffee, spoke about how the brand’s appeal is derived from its foundation as “a creative platform” focused on customer experience, why he believes that Alfred isn’t “doing anything groundbreaking” and how he’s attempting to replicate Alfred’s success with Calidad Beer, an upstart brand of Mexican-style lagers.

Review: Koia Coffee

by BevNET.com Staff, Jan. 7, 2020 at 12:00 pm

Plant-based protein shake brand Koia is expanding its lineup again with the launch of Koia Coffee, a three-SKU line that features coffee (and 200 mg of caffeine) as well as 5 grams of MCT oil.

Borden Dairy Co. Files for Bankruptcy

by Martín Caballero, Jan. 6, 2020 at 4:18 pm

On Sunday, Dallas-based Borden Dairy Co., at one point the world’s largest dairy producer, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

OWYN Closes $7.5 M Round Led by Powerplant Ventures

by Brad Avery, Jan. 6, 2020 at 11:47 am

Plant-based beverage maker OWYN has raised $7.5 million in a financing round led by Powerplant Ventures, the company announced today. Powerplant co-founder and partner Mark Rampolla will join the brand’s board of directors.

In the Courtroom: Circuit Court Backs Dr Pepper in ‘Diet’ Dispute

by Martín Caballero, Jan. 3, 2020 at 4:01 pm

In this roundup of recent legal news, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth District affirmed a lower court ruling dismissing a class action suit against Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc. alleging Diet Dr Pepper’s use of the term “diet” implies it can help with weight loss or management. Meanwhile, a lawsuit between The Coca-Cola Company and the heirs of lemonade maker Hubert Hansen will move to a jury trial.

Taste Radio Insider Ep. 66: Next Level Advice On Investment, Goals, Profitability & More

by BevNET.com Staff, Jan. 3, 2020 at 1:10 pm

This special edition of Taste Radio Insider highlights actionable insights and advice from interviews with six founders, creators and investors who joined us on the show during the second half of 2019. Our guests include Zico founder and Powerplant Ventures co-founder Mark Rampolla; Zoe Feldman, the director of the Chobani Incubator; Rick’s Picks founder and CEO Rick Field; Mike Cessario, the founder and CEO of Liquid Death; Harbinger Ventures founder Megan Bent and Chris Kirby, the founder of Ithaca Craft Hummus.

Review: Xoca Cacao Fruit Soda

by BevNET.com Staff, Jan. 3, 2020 at 12:40 pm

Xoca is a line of cacao fruit juice sodas made with a base of 50% Ecuadorian cacao fruit juice. The product line is available in three flavors, including Original, Mint, and Ginger.

Smart Energy Takes C4 “Above the Neck”

by Martín Caballero, Jan. 3, 2020 at 10:56 am

Thanks to the addition of nootropic ingredients, the new product gives C4 a foothold outside of athletic performance or fitness-based use occasions, something that the brand’s consumers were already helping to drive.