Smári to Launch Line of Icelandic Protein Coffees

Ásmundsson said the drinks are designed to be filling and to provide energy without a crash or “jitters.” The line includes three varieties: Iced Mocha, New Orleans, and a Keto Latte. The drinks are set to launch in March.

ZX Ventures-Backed Kombrewcha Refreshes Look, Expands Distribution

Amid growing interest in more “functional” alcoholic beverages, one of the country’s pioneering hard kombucha brands is undergoing a makeover in an effort to appeal to younger female consumers looking for boozier versions of the fermented tea beverage.

Bevi Closes $35M Series C Round

Boston-based tech startup Bevi, which produces a line of “smart” beverage dispensing systems sold in office and food service channels, has raised $35 million in a Series C round led by Bessemer Venture Partners. Past investors Horizon Ventures and Trinity Ventures, who had led the company’s Series A and Series B rounds respectively, also participated in the Series C.

Review: GT’s Classic Gold Alcoholic Kombucha

Since GT’s was the brand that created the kombucha category in the first place, it seems only appropriate for its Classic Gold to be the first alcoholic kombucha product to be reviewed on BevNET.

Elevator Talk: Happy Moose Partners with Farmers to Offer Fresh-Pressed Juices

Ryan Armistead, the co-founder and CEO of Happy Moose Juice, is on a mission to make the best juice in the world, using a variety of beloved and unique ingredients. Armistead works directly with farmers to co-pack the freshest produce, providing a premium and organic cold-pressed product straight from the farm.

Winter Fancy Food Show 2019: MindFull Founder Talks Launching New Company

In this clip Matt Jimenez, founder of food and beverage portfolio company MindFull, explains how his previous industry experience is informing the launch, why he chose to partner with wellness brand Gaiam, and how MindFull will develop lifestyle brands around functional products.

Press Clips: Starbucks CEO Scales Back Schultz’s Expansion Plans

Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson is scaling back founder and former CEO Howard Schultz’s plans for luxury coffee shops, according to The Wall Street Journal. Schultz’s growth strategy included 1,000 Starbucks Reserve cafes selling premium coffee and artisanal bakery items, as well as 30 more locations of its Starbucks Roastery, experience-oriented stores aimed at increasing traffic and improving declining sales.

Taste Radio Episode 146: Why Plant-Based Ham Doesn’t Need to Taste Like Ham, According to the CEO of Tofurky

Tofurky CEO Jaime Athos discussed the origins of the plant-based meat brand and how it has evolved over its nearly four decades on the market. Athos also spoke about current challenges in the plant-based meat category/market, executing and learning from a brand revamp, the reason that Tofurky has resisted acquisition offers and why he believes that plant-based ham has to taste great, but doesn’t have to taste exactly like... ham.

Forager CMO Alex Matthews Launches CPG-Focused Creative Studio

Roughly one year after joining Forager Project as the company’s chief marketing officer, Alex Matthews has departed the plant-based food and beverage brand to launch Here Studio, a multi-faceted branding, design and CPG product development house in Los Angeles.

Winter Fancy Food Show 2018: BOS Tea Talks U.S. Brand Building

During the Winter Fancy Food Show 2019 in San Francisco last week, BevNET caught up with James Moss, managing director for North America at BOS, to discuss the brand’s progress since launching its ready-to-drink rooibos line in five SKUs in the Southern California last March.

Monster Reveals ‘Performance’ Energy, Tea Innovations

Monster Energy is poised to take on rising rival Bang in the emerging “performance energy” category, one of several new product innovations for 2019 showcased yesterday during an investor meeting and business update.

Distribution Roundup: Hydration Brands Expand in Retail

HFactor expands in the Northern California and Texas markets while Liquid I.V. adds 516 Costco stores nationwide. Additionally, cold brew coffee maker Madrinas has picked up more than 700 Walmart stores and CELSIUS announced placement in DICK's Sporting Goods.

Winter Fancy Food Show 2019 Recap: Rebrands, Acquisitions, and Expansions

Winter Fancy Food Show 2019 was not only an opportunity for brands to launch new innovations, but new initiatives as well. The annual trade show hosted by the Specialty Food Association earlier this week in San Francisco saw beverage brands announce comprehensive rebrands, acquisitions, and new sales strategies. This is some of what we saw.

Review: Elsena Infused Still Water

Eslena is a line of USDA Organic certified still flavored waters that are unsweetened and contain under 10 calories per bottle. The products are flavored with real ingredients, including fruit puree or juice and a touch of sea salt.