If You’re Missing BevNET Live: Watch Live Main Stage Presentations & Attendee Interviews

We’re gearing up for the biggest BevNET Live ever! If you’re not one of the 850+ registered, and can’t make a last minute trip to Santa Monica, you can watch the main stage presentations away from the action. We will have a free live stream of BevNET Live Winter 2019 available on Monday, December 9th and Tuesday, December 10th, thanks to the support of our sponsors, Beck Flavors and Symrise.

Taste Radio Insider Ep. 63: Prioritizing Diversity Will Make Your Company Better. Here’s Why.

Zoe Feldman, the director of Chobani Incubator, spoke about why she’s emphasized the incubator’s focus on diversity as part of its selection criteria, how prior roles as an executive at PepsiCo and in venture capital shaped her perspective on the importance of diversity in business and why “representation is hugely critical” to the future of our industry.

Gallery: November’s New Products

Heading into the end of the year, brands are wasting no time launching new innovations, line extensions, collaborations and refreshed packaging. Check out the gallery to see some of November’s notable launches, including the latest from Dirty Lemon, new kombucha flavors from Better Booch and KOE, and plenty of CBD-infused releases and brand launches.

Press Clips: Nestlé Loses Michigan Water Lawsuit

Nestlé Loses Michigan Water Lawsuit; Retailers May Shy Away from CBD Following FDA Ruling; Twitter Users Call For Whole Foods Market Boycott in Mitch McConnell Mixup; Man Claims He Got High From Spiked McDonald’s Tea

New Spirits Gallery: Whiskey, Scotch & Brandy

In this gallery, we review a handful of notable new releases in whiskey, scotch and brandy, including a new limited run expression from Wolves, the latest from Bob Dylan’s Heaven’s Door label, plus the launch of The Fighting 69th Irish Whiskey.

New Beverage Showdown 18: Semifinalists and Judges Announced

We can’t wait to kick off BevNET Live next week with New Beverage Showdown 18, our centerpiece competition of the two-day event. In just 5 days, 12 innovative beverage brands will take the stage to pitch their business plans to a panel of expert judges and the 800-plus beverage professionals in the crowd. It’s time to reveal the contenders.

Brew Dr. Shuts Down Townshend’s Distillery

The Oregon-based company announced in an Instagram post last week that it will close down its Townshend’s Distillery business on December 23. The distillery produced a variety of premium spirits made from the alcohol byproduct leftover from its kombucha brewing. However, the announcement noted that the closing of the distillery was not “goodbye,” but merely a “see you later” as the company explores options to reopen under a new model.

Gallery: November’s New Coffee and Energy Launches

Several of November’s new product launches are offering consumers a jolt of energy as we head into the end of the year. Check out the gallery below for the latest energy and coffee product launches this month, including new lines for Kitu Life Super Coffee, Pop & Bottle and Bolthouse Farms.

In Memoriam: Benjamin Zuckerman

Zuckerman, who was president of the fourth-generation bottling and canning firm Zuckerman-Honickman, left his son Michael in charge of the company and a strong legacy of innovation within the industry.

Review: Feelz CBD Seltzer

Feelz is a line of flavored sparkling water enhanced with 20 mg of CBD as well as electrolytes, B-vitamins and antioxidants. All three flavors -- Lemon Lime, Peach Ginger and Blackberry Lavender -- contain zero calories and no sweeteners.

Taste Radio Ep. 191: How This Mission-Driven Entrepreneur Won Millions For Her Brand

Alix Peabody is the 28-year-old founder of Bev, a wellness-focused canned wine brand that aims to change the narrative around how women are projected and perceived by the alcohol industry. In this episode, she spoke about aligning mission and brand, tapping tech investors for capital, and strategizing around digital content. This episode is presented by Blue Pacific Flavors.

Strength in Numbers: Spartan Race Expands CPG Partnerships

The recent development of niche fitness subcategories has opened new opportunities for Spartan Race to partner with innovative brands like rapid hydration mix Liquid I.V. and performance energy drink Adrenaline Shoc.

BevNET Live Winter 2019: Beverage Financing and the Next Decade

Have strategics found themselves spending too much on innovative concepts that seem like good fits but fail to scale into the larger system? How impactful will new interest in non-alcoholic beverages by beer and spirits companies ultimately turn out to be? Those questions and many more will be addressed during a special panel that will end BevNET Live Winter 2019, taking place on December 9 and 10 at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel.