Review: GuS Dry Blackberry

While the flavor is definitely not so far off from that of GuS' pomegranate variety, this product is certainly a bit more classic in terms of its flavor and positioning. That being said, this is definitely a nice bolt-on product for the brand, and one that fits in with the rest of the flavors in terms of its execution.

Press Clips: The Kids Are Not Alright

A new study from the American Heart Association is reporting that more than 40 percent of calls to poison centers for “energy drink exposure” involve children under the age of six.

Review: Red Bull Editions – New Total Zero Varieties

At the 2014 NACS show, Red Bull unveiled an expansion of its Editions line with new Orange and Cherry varieties, each of which are zero-calorie formulations. While the new products are worthy of the Red Bull name, it’s tough to get overly excited about this from a category innovation standpoint as they definitely feels more opportunistic in nature.

Review: Bai Bubbles

With seven varieties in the Bai5 Bubbles lineup, we had a hard time figuring out which ones to focus in on. While some are better than others, none of them disappoint, especially against other zero- or similarly low-calorie products.

Maker of Ibex Drinkable Yogurt Ceases Operations

Unable to secure a set of retail authorizations that the company hoped would take Ibex to the next stage of development, Skyland Foods founder and CEO Brandon Partridge decided that further investment in the brand would be unwise.

BevNET Live Winter ‘14 is Three Weeks Away!

Are you one of the 400+ already registered for the event? If not, don’t delay another day; seats are rapidly filling up, and the conference is on pace to sell out well before it begins.

Video: What Should I Consider When Evaluating a New Concept?

Bob Burke, the founder of Natural Products Consulting, has seen dozens of new brand pitches in his 25+ years working in the food and beverage industries. In each encounter with a new entrepreneur, Burke says that he asks a few simple questions to gauge whether or not a brand will have a chance in the marketplace.

Review: Unoco Coconut Water

Unoco’s Raw Coconut Water is a high pressure processed, “raw” coconut water that comes in a single flavor. The liquid is intentionally pink; when exposed to light, the high phenol content in the coconut water gives it the color. It's certainly one way to separate the brand from competing versions, and Unoco has taken a step further with a highly differentiated label.

Coffee Innovation of the Non-RTD Variety, Part 2: Pour-Over Evolves

Pour-over adherents claim that the coffee offers elevated notes of flavor as compared to other brewing methods, while the process itself is often lauded as exquisite and ceremonious. Nevertheless, the cost of café-bought versions can add up quickly; the drinks are made to order and a single cup can cost upwards of $4.

Review: Dust Cutter Lemonade

Now in its second rendition, the premise of Dust Cutter is slightly revised. This time around, you’ll still find a mainstream-oriented, sugar-sweetened (with a touch of stevia) beverage at the product’s core, but the added ginseng and B vitamins have been removed. This leaves the product focused exclusively on refreshment, which is certainly what it does best.