Press Clips: Coke Offers $1M for Sweetener Innovations

Coca-Cola offers $1 million for new artificial sweetener innovations; Soda tax thwacks Chicago's suburbs; Will Smith plugs JUST Water on James Corden's "Carpool Karaoke"; NPR takes a look at the rise of seltzer; Bai seeks a more mature brand image.

Review: Mother Kombucha

Mother Kombucha is a line of small batch “living teas” that are produced in Florida and are available in both keg and bottled format. For the purposes of this review, we’re taking a look at their five flavor RTD lineup, which includes four kombucha varieties and a fifth variety that’s a switchel.

Grady’s Expands With New RTD Line

This fall, Grady’s is seeking to further expand its brand with the launch of its first RTD offering, Lil’ Easy, a pre-diluted, single-serve version of its New Orleans-style cold brew concentrate packaged for portability.

People Moves: Suja CMO Heather MacNeil Cox Departs

CMO Heather MacNeil Cox leaves Suja after three years with company; Harmless Harvest VP of Marketing makes jump to outdoor apparel industry; Target adds new grocery-focused executives; DPS shuffles executives following departure of Bai CEO

Welch’s Prepares Soda Line Revamp

In a press release last week, the Concord, Mass.-based company announced a partnership with Global Beverage Corporation, an independent company that was created to lead an expansion of the Welch’s soda line with new flavors and formats.

Review: Glim Activated Charcoal Water

Utilizing activated charcoal as its key ingredient, Glim describes itself as an “alternative water.” The product, which is made with filtered water, natural flavor, charcoal powder, citric acid, and stevia, has zero calories or sugar.

Grain Gains: Canvas Spins Beer Byproduct into Plant-Based Protein

Canvas, a beverage startup backed exclusively by Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB) "disruptive growth organization" Zx Ventures, is looking to spent grain -- the nutrient-rich byproduct of the beer brewing process -- as the key ingredient to fuel its new line of plant-based barley beverages launching this fall.

Kill Cliff Fuels Up With Sunrise Investment

Sunrise Strategic Partners, an investment firm with a focus on healthy and sustainable foods, announced Thursday that it has acquired a minority ownership stake in Kill Cliff. The deal marks the eighth investment for the young firm and the first beverage brand addition to its portfolio.

Review: Zola Organic Hydrating Energy Drink

Earlier this year, Zola announced “Zola 2.0,” which featured new ownership and a plan for to restage both its packaging and a broader line of products. The recently announced Zola Hydrating Energy line is the company’s first new offering since this announcement.

Distribution: Gains for Koia, Picnik

Planet-based protein drink Koia adds six new retailers and debuts a new reduced price point, Austin-based cafe Picnik launches its RTD butter coffee at Whole Foods, and JUST Water lands an exclusive partnership with the Houston Zoo.

Review: Ethan’s Apple Cider Vinegar Shots

Ethan’s Apple Cider Vinegar Shots, which are the work of Ethan Hirshberg (yes, he’s the son of Stonyfield Farm chairman Gary Hirshberg), are an attempt to take the health benefits of apple cider vinegar and deliver them in a manner that’s both palatable and authentic.