Brynwood Partners, a Connecticut-based private equity firm with existing investments in a variety of food and beverage companies, yesterday announced that Cold Spring Brewing had purchased Carolina Beverage Group.

Almond milk has enjoyed broad appeal for its versatility; it brings value as an ingredient for cooking, as a tool for baristas creating espresso drinks, and as an alternative for dairy intolerant consumers and for those who simply enjoy the taste.

Similar to the existing Lemon, Ginger and Cherry SKUs, the new BLNDS varieties are a combination of cold-pressed watermelon juice and other flavors, in this case Blood Orange, Cayenne, Cucumber, and Mint.

In caffeine, an ingredient that consumers typically associate with sodas, a handful of sparkling water makers see a natural opportunity to extend their brands amidst a crowded field of competitors.

In this People Moves roundup, ex-AQUAhydrate CEO Hal Kravitz starts anew as chairman of the board at Certified Management Group; also, Kona Red expands its management team, Bill Meissner is named CEO at Dunn's River Brands and Voss CEO Jack Belsito confirms he has left the company, as of last summer.

Ample Foods has closed a $2 million round of seed funding led by San Francisco-based venture capital group Slow Ventures.

Hood River Juice Company, owner of Ryan’s brand apple juices and ciders, says a warning letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last month was “completely unexpected” and that it has taken action to correct past violations.

Monster Energy reported a rise in net sales in the first quarter of 2018, but a significant drop in gross profits has left investors pessimistic about year-end margins for the energy drink company.