Taste Radio Insider Ep. 23: How Successful Entrepreneurs Network, Use Equity & Partner With Celebs

Ryan Lewendon, a partner with influential CPG law firm The Giannuzzi Group, shared insights and advice based on over a dozen years spent working with high-profile food and beverage brands, including how to avoid early mistakes that can haunt entrepreneurs down the line and the keys to effective networking, plus tips on considering the valuation of your company and working with celebrities.

Monster: Company Beats Expectations for Strong Q4

Bolstered by international growth, Monster Beverages Corp. beat analyst expectations in its fourth quarter and full year earnings, reporting a 14.1 percent year-over-year increase in revenue, according to financial results released yesterday by the company.

Health Ade to Debut Six New Flavors This Summer

California-based Health-Ade Kombucha is preparing for a “full-on offensive court press” this summer with the launch of six new flavors and new 4-packs of 8 oz. glass bottles.

Review: Spindrift Lime

Spindrift’s latest flavor is its take on one of the cornerstone flavors of sparkling water’s cornerstone flavors: lime

Riff Cold Brewed Makes Natural Energy Play

After less than a year on the market, Bend, Ore.-based coffee maker Riff Cold Brewed is expanding its brand platform with a new line of Sparkling Superfruit Teas made from dried cascara, which will launch next week at Natural Products Expo West 2019 in Anaheim, Calif.

Positive Beverage Partners with L.A. Libations

California-based Positive Beverage has partnered with beverage incubator L.A. Libations to fast-track the brand’s retail expansion. Launched in 2015, Positive markets a line of electrolyte-infused sparkling drinks.

BevNET Magazine Feature: A Look at Whiskey, Brandy, Gin and Other Spirits

Anytime someone mentions the American spirits market, it’s more than likely that the first thing that comes to mind is whiskey. However, other categories have been aggressively inserting themselves into the conversation and whiskey, increasingly, has been ceding some of the spotlight.

Elevator Talk: Bambucha Brings Chef Crafted Flavors to Kombucha

Michael ZonFrilli is the co-founder of Bambucha, a chef crafted organic kombucha brand based in San Diego, California. Bambucha’s unique flavor offerings such as Thai Ginger and Mango Masala are inspired by the founders’ experience in the culinary field.

BFG Closes Fund II to Back Emerging CPG Brands

Having already backed brands making everything from pancakes to popcorn, Boulder Food Group (BFG) is ready to deepen its roots investing in the next generation of emerging consumer brands. The investment group announced today the close of its second fund, at roughly $100 million.

Review: Après Cold Brew and Vanilla Protein Drinks

Après, a line of plant-based protein drinks, introduced two new flavors in late 2018: Cold Brew Coffee and Vanilla. Like the rest of the lineup, these two flavors are vegan, non-GMO, gluten free and contain 14 g of protein per container.

Taste Radio Ep. 151: How Being ‘Globally Mobile’ Helped This CEO Become a Better Leader

Fever-Tree North America CEO Charles Gibb spoke about his work in the spirits business leading up to his current role, including a high-profile role as the President and CEO of Belvedere Vodka. He also discussed how his experience in British Army taught him about the importance of communication and humor, spoke about the evolution of the global market for spirits and mixers and why he believes that Fever-Tree can be a brand for all consumers.

Cool Factor: Can Aguas Frescas Seize Their Moment?

Even as flavored water continues to be among the fastest growing beverage categories in the U.S., aguas frescas haven’t quite been able to enjoy the same success, despite repeated attempts by some of the industry’s biggest manufacturers to crack the market with a ready-to-drink product. Yet after years of fits and starts, that could be in the process of changing.