Chobani President Peter McGuinness, La Colombe Co-Founder and CEO Todd Carmichael to Speak at BevNET Live

by BevNET.com Staff, Nov. 4, 2019 at 10:56 am

The cooperative dynamic between young and mature entrepreneurial brands will be front and center on Dec. 9 at BevNET Live in Santa Monica when Peter McGuinness, Chobani’s president, and Todd Carmichael, the CEO and co-founder of La Colombe, take part in a “fireside conversation” on the challenges of timing innovation in beverage categories and the way the companies’ close ties allow them to learn from each other in terms of product development and scale.

Industry Responds to USDA Hemp Guidelines

by Beth Kaiserman, Nov. 4, 2019 at 10:56 am

The USDA last week added its interim final rule for the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program to the Federal Register. As the guidelines are implemented, hemp industry leaders reacted with a mix of relief, excitement and hope for a future of regulated cannabis food and drink products.

Review: GT’s Aqua Kefir

by BevNET.com Staff, Nov. 1, 2019 at 4:10 pm

GT’s Aqua Kefir is a six-SKU line of water kefir beverages that are positioned as “sparkling probiotic drinks.” While these products aren’t kombucha, which GT’s is obviously known for, they might be the company’s most mainstream offerings to date.

Taste Radio Insider Ep. 58: The Path From Niche To Mainstream

by BevNET.com Staff, Nov. 1, 2019 at 1:30 pm

In this episode, we’re joined by Kelly Heekin and Ben Schmidt, the co-founders of Hoist, a brand of hydration beverages developed to be a more palatable version of Pedialyte. They discussed their strategy for mainstreaming a niche concept, why “staying power and the ability to adapt” have been critical to Hoist’s development and how they communicated their vision to stakeholders.

Gallery: October’s New Products

by BevNET.com Staff, Nov. 1, 2019 at 9:00 am

In this gallery, we look at some of October’s notable launches, such as the latest from Health-Ade, Odwalla and REBBL, along with seasonal releases from Sparkling Ice, Hank’s Gourmet Beverages and Pressed Juicery.

Guayakí Self-Distribution Model Rolls On

by Martín Caballero, Oct. 31, 2019 at 2:50 pm

As outlined by co-founder David Karr, Guayaki eventual goal is complete self-distribution, to which the brand is over halfway there with approximately 10,000 accounts -- or, “all of California and basically most of the U.S., outside of natural [retailers],” -- serviced by a fleet of over 300 electric cars.

Review: Mad Tasty

by BevNET.com Staff, Oct. 31, 2019 at 12:00 pm

Mad Tasty is an upstart line of CBD infused sparkling water that features 20 mg of broad-spectrum hemp extract. There are currently two flavors, Watermelon Kiwi and Grapefruit, both of which contain zero calories and no sweeteners.

Distribution Roundup: Waltz CBD Seltzer Launches in Colorado

by Brad Avery, Oct. 30, 2019 at 4:55 pm

Waltz CBD Seltzer Launches in Colorado; NOCCO Adds 500 Accounts Nationwide; Phivida Partners with Gotham Brands for Oki Rollout; Califia Farms Adds 3,200 7-Eleven Stores; Spindrift Launches in Publix; Cafe Agave To Expand Across the Country; Petal Adds Gelson’s; Positive Beverage Adds Target in California and Colorado

Elevator Talk: Protea Is Bringing Almond Milk Tea Lattes to Boston

by BevNET.com Staff, Oct. 30, 2019 at 4:23 pm

Chnia Williams is the founder of Protea, a beverage startup that’s offering a line of plant-based tea lattes made with fresh crafted almond milk and sweetened with honey. The brand aims to deliver a premium experience by lightly brewing organic tea leaves for a smooth and non-bitter flavor.

Cannabis Forum: Both Sides of the Dispensary Counter with NUG’s CEO

by BevNET.com Staff, Oct. 30, 2019 at 3:48 pm

What is the sell-in situation for both retailers and suppliers of cannabis brands, particularly in the edible and drinkable markets? At the Cannabis Forum this December we’ll hear from the CEO of NUG, which is both a manufacturer of cannabis-infused products and an operator of dispensaries

Molson Coors Announces Plan to Restructure Business, Cut Workforce and Invest in New Brands

by Justin Kendall, Oct. 30, 2019 at 3:30 pm

As part of the restructuring, Molson Coors will also change its named to the Molson Coors Beverage Company in 2020 to reflect the company’s “strategic intent to expand beyond beer and into other growth adjacencies.”

USDA Interim Hemp Rules Approved and Released

by Beth Kaiserman, Oct. 30, 2019 at 10:22 am

The White House has approved the USDA's long awaited federal rules to guide hemp production. A draft of the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program guidelines was published Tuesday on USDA’s website, and once published in the Federal Register on Thursday, public comments will be open for 60 days.

Coke, Pepsi, KDP Announce Sustainability Initiative

by Erin Cabrey, Oct. 29, 2019 at 4:46 pm

At a press conference earlier today, The Coca-Cola Company, Keurig Dr Pepper and PepsiCo announced the launch of Every Bottle Back, a sustainability initiative in conjunction with World Wildlife Fund (WWF), The Recycling Partnership and Closed Loop Partners.

Taste Radio Ep. 186: Why ‘Co-Creating’ Is Vital To Daily Harvest’s Mission & Success

by BevNET.com Staff, Oct. 29, 2019 at 1:32 pm

Rachel Drori, the founder/CEO of popular direct-to-consumer food brand Daily Harvest, explained why customer service “is not just about meeting needs, but anticipating them,” why social media is “not just a one-way relationship” and how “data is just part of the story” in understanding consumer needs.