Taste Radio Insider Ep. 35: What Happened To Kumbaya In Kombucha? And Is Fat Truly Back?

In the latest installment of Taste Radio Insider, the hosts discussed the fallout from a controversial profile of GT’s Kombucha creator GT Dave in Forbes magazine. Later in the show, we feature an interview with Suzie Yorke, the founder/CEO of Love Good Fats, a fast-growing maker of keto-friendly snack bars and shakes that is attempting to become the “beacon brand” for healthy fats.

Forbes Fallout: Health-Ade, KeVita React to GT’s Feature Story

In an article published earlier this month, GT’s Living Foods founder and CEO GT Dave sat down with Forbes reporter Chloe Sorvino at his Beverly Hills mansion for a deep dive into the making of his kombucha empire in which he appeared to take a few conspicuous swipes at some of his company’s rising competitors.

BevNET Live Afterparty: Same New York City, New Venue

BevNET Live Summer 2019 is almost here -- 20 days to be exact. So we’re excited to bring the Afterparty back to New York City. Powered by ForceBrands and sponsored by Giannuzzi Group, our new venue is conveniently located next to the main event.

Inside Vita Coco’s Bathroom Breakout

Last Wednesday, Vita Coco began the day by launching its new Impossible to Hate campaign -- a marketing drive to promote its pressed coconut water line. By 3 p.m. their social media coordinator was standing in the bathroom holding a jug of urine and asking for an address where she could mail it.

New Coke Finds New Life on Netflix’s Stranger Things

Starting May 23 at 5 p.m. EST, Coke will release a limited amount of New Coke, made using the original 1985 recipe, as part of a promotion with Netflix's hit series Stranger Things.

Cannabis Forum: Challenges for Cannabis Entrepreneurs

The entrepreneurial journey is difficult - and entering an emerging and fast-changing market doesn’t make it easier. At Cannabis Forum next month a panel of industry trailblazers will help those entrepreneurs better navigate the ambiguous space by providing their take on the challenges that face cannabis entrepreneurs.

Review: Somatcha Sparkling Matcha

Somatcha is a line of sparkling matcha beverages that comes in two varieties, both of which are packaged in slim 12 oz. cans and feature a sleeve wrap label.

Coffee Giants, Startups Target Growth in “Flash Brew”

Japanese beverage giant Suntory and Mass.-based startup Elemental Beverage Company are both seeking to develop the market for flash chilled coffee — the general term for coffee which is brewed hot and then quickly cooled without being diluted with ice or water — which is prized by coffee aficionados for its ability to capture the nuanced flavor notes and complex aromatics that emerge during a hot extraction process.

Tribucha Closes $1.5M Series A

North Carolina-based kombucha maker Tribucha has closed a $1.5 million Series A funding round, the company told BevNET this week. The raise comes as the five-year-old brand, which markets its product in 12 oz cans, plans to expand distribution by more than 600 accounts this year.

Taste Radio Ep. 163: Oatly Failed and Probably Will Again. But That’s Okay. Here’s Why.

On its way to becoming one of the hottest brands in food and beverage, oat milk brand Oatly had “already failed in the biggest ways possible,” according to the company’s U.S. general manager Mike Messersmith. In an interview included in this episode, he explained the simple philosophy that guided Oatly through its growing pains: “It’s all about progress.”

Boxed Expands Private Label Offerings With Seltzer Launch

In April, online retailer Boxed made its entrance into the space with the launch of Stellar Seltzer in 12 oz. cans. The four-SKU line of naturally flavored, zero calorie sparkling waters is the next step in Boxed’s plan to feed the beverage segment of its private label business with engaging brands that can compete in high velocity foundational grocery categories such as water.

Review: GoodBelly Probiotics’ Bubbles

GoodBelly Probiotics’ Bubbles is a two-SKU line of refrigerated USDA organic sparkling probiotic beverages and is the company’s first sparkling line extension.

BevNET Live Summer 2019 Agenda Released

We’re excited to release the official agenda for BevNET Live Summer 2019, which returns to the Metropolitan West in New York City in just 22 days. Packed with beverage industry veterans and thought leaders, the agenda is curated to tackle the challenges faced by companies within the beverage industry and provide insight into the future.

Zola Acquired by Cannabis Brand Caliva

The acquisition will help Caliva to broaden its vertically-integrated cannabis business -- which produces flower, vape, and oil products -- into beverage through its access to Zola’s research and development team and established retail distribution network.