Brynwood Partners Acquires Cold Spring Brewing Co.
Minnesota-based Cold Spring Brewing Company has been acquired by Brynwood Partners, a Connecticut-based private equity firm with existing investments in a variety of food and beverage companies.
Press Clips: CircleUp Launches Credit Program
CircleUp launches CPG credit program; Dunkin' Donuts considers dropping the "Donuts" from its name; New York Business Journal talks to CAVU's Brett Thomas; Starbucks releases jerky-garnished coffee in Seattle; Natalie's Orchid Island Juice Company sits down for Q&A
Taste Radio Ep. 69: Jon Sebastiani Is Kraving The Next Big Thing; Staying Hungry with Marketing Guru Greg Fleishman
This week’s episode of Taste Radio features a wide-ranging conversation with Krave Jerky and Sonoma Brands founder Jon Sebastiani. Recorded at the 2017 Summer Fancy Food Show, Sebastiani delved into his background in the food and beverage industry as an heir to a legacy wine family and talked about what spurred him to strike out on his own with Krave.
Coke’s Bridge Program Cultivating Tech Startups
The Bridge, a six-month commercialization program for tech startups exploring innovative new technologies that tackle everything from artificial intelligence to virtual reality to cybersecurity. Now on its fourth class, The Bridge is based in Tel Aviv with a focus on cultivating Israeli companies, but its early success has led to partner programs in Mexico City and in Coca-Cola’s hometown of Atlanta.
Coffee So Good Blooms From Midwest Roots, Real Ingredient Focus
Launched in 2016, the coffees are formulated with whole, clean label ingredients and come in five varieties, including Lavender Nutte and Cashew Mocha.
Chicago Adopts Soda Tax
The one-penny-per-ounce tax on sweetened beverages, which officially goes into effect today, makes Chicago the most populous American city to adopt legislation aimed at steering consumers away from sugary drinks in the name of public health.
Distribution Roundup: Tio Gazpacho Triples Retail Presence
Tio Gazpacho announces it has tripled its distribution footprint over the course of the past two months; Avitae enters CVS Health nationwide; Sweettauk Lemonade adds Gold Coast Distributors and expands with UNFI to add three additional warehouses.
Drake Invests in MatchaBar, Whole Foods Picks Up RTD Line Nationwide
Matcha beverage maker and retailer MatchaBar is nearing completion of a new Series A funding round that includes rap icon Drake as an investor. The $2.5 million round is expected to close within the next few weeks and comes on the heels of a new national distribution deal with Whole Foods.
PE Firm Acquires Calypso Lemonade Maker
Investment firm Mason Wells has acquired Calypso lemonade parent King Juice Company, Inc. for an undisclosed sum, the Milwaukee-based co-packer announced Tuesday.
Aqua ViTea Launches New Kombucha Fountain With Ripe Juice, Plus Vodka
In July, the Vermont-based kombucha brewery debuted Aqua Vodka, an organic vodka made from a distillate created in the kombucha production process, as well as a new self-service draft program that allows users to flavor kombucha with an assortment of cold-pressed juices from Ripe Craft Juice.
Review: Sunup Green Coffee Gets New Packaging and Flavors
SunUp has updated its packaging and added two new varieties, Sweetened with Cane Sugar and Sweetened with Stevia, to go with the original (now called Unsweetened). Utilizing a 15 oz. can with a bright green backdrop, it certainly has a more vibrant and eye-catching appearance.
People Moves: Brian Krumrei Exits TSG
Krumrei departs the consumer products investment firm, while Moonshine Sweet Tea and Boxed Water each welcome new chief marketing officers.
Zola Launches ‘Hydrating Energy’ Line
As the first shipments of Zola’s new “2.0” packaging roll out to stores, the coconut water and acai beverage maker has launched a new energy drink line as part of a move toward a more comprehensive brand hierarchy.
Video: Humm Kombucha CEO Talks Conventional Path to Mainstream Success
In a presentation at BevNET Live Summer 2017, Humm Kombucha CEO Jaime Danek explained that the brand's approachable taste profile, mainstream flavors, and label design were -- and remain -- keys to its success in conventional retailers.