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.

Taste Radio Ep. 68: Talking Innovative Ventures and Investments with Owl’s Brew’s Jennie Ripps and Pete Speranza of 301INC

Episode 68 of the Taste Radio podcast features interviews with Jennie Ripps, the CEO and co-founder of tea-based cocktail mixer and beer brand Owl’s Brew, Pete Speranza, who is a New Business Development Principal with General Mills’ business development and venture capital arm 301INC, and the latest edition of Elevator Talk with Jason Petrou, the founder of Clean Energy Organics.

Amazon Invests In Growth; Whole Foods Posts Losses

The e-commerce retailer increased net sales by 25 percent to $38 billion for the quarter, but earned less per share then Wall Street was expecting. Amazon SVP and CFO Brian Olsavsky said Q2 year-over-year earning differences were ”driven by investments” in the company’s own technologies like Echo, a ramp-up of its original video business and increased spending on hiring and marketing.

Press Clips: Beverage Execs Ask for Aluminum Tariff Exception

Can and beverage industry leaders ask President Trump to exempt certain types of aluminum from potential tariffs; White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci may be a Juice Press investor; Whole Foods sets a date for shareholders to vote on Amazon deal; Former Tesla engineer creates hangover cure.

VMG Closes New $550M Fund to Invest In Entrepreneurial Brands

This week private equity investment group VMG Partners announced the close of its fourth fund at $550 million, with another $150 million available in a flex-up vehicle. The capital, said VMG Managing Director Wayne Wu, will be invested in emerging, lower middle market companies producing consumable branded goods.

Protein2o Adds Gatorade Vets, $4 Million in New Funding

Protein-infused water brand Protein2O has added two beverage industry veterans to its leadership team and raised $4 million in new funding as it seeks to establish a leadership position in the segment of low-calorie protein beverages.

WTRMLN WTR Targeted In Class Action Suit

In a complaint filed against parent company World Waters LLC and World Waters Holdings, LLC in U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of New York on July 8, attorneys for lead plaintiff Michael Pizzirusso argue that WTRMLN WTR’s product labels, in describing the liquid with the words “cold pressed juiced watermelon,” falsely represent that it consists of only watermelon juice.