Investors Dispute Bargain Valuation for Sparkling ICE
In this summer’s already boiling pot of beverage investments and acquisitions, perhaps the biggest fish in the non-alcoholic beverage industry is now on the ingredient list.
Wells Fargo Survey: Coca-Cola Deal, Innovation Boost Monster
The effects of the Coca-Cola deal are already being felt not just by Monster, but by the energy category as a whole.
Lumi Brings HPP Juice to The Fresh Market
Heralded as the exclusive cold-pressed juice offering at the specialty retailer, Lumi Juice recently announced a deal with The Fresh Market that will bring the HPP line to its 160 locations in 25 states.
Essentia Scores Investment from Castanea, First Bev
Fast-growing Essentia Water announced that it had reached a deal to sell a partial ownership stake to private equity firm Castanea Partners. First Beverage Ventures was also an investor in the deal.
Review: Doc’s Tea
Formerly known as Dr. B’s Tea, Doc’s Tea is a line of rooibos tea drinks that uses monk fruit as the primary sweetener. In addition to the rebrand, the company removed xylitol from the drinks and replaced it with cane sugar. The new formulation, is for the most part, good especially considering that it has only 10 calories per 12 oz. bottle. On the branding side of things, however, calling it “Doc’s Tea” seems like a questionable move.
Comprehensive Financial Coverage Highlights FBU L.A.
With a lineup that has invested in products like Vitaminwater, Popchips, Mamma Chia and Kind Bars, the “Financing Your Growth” segment of FBU L.A. is stacked with experience and advice.
Braintrust Investments Acquires Inko’s
In a statement, Braintrust said that it will “be working closely with brokers, distributors, and retailers to provide more consumers with access to the company’s truly unique teas.”
Review: Carolina Wild
Made with 100 percent muscadine grape juice from concentrate, Carolina Wild is essentially what you’d expect from a super premium single varietal grape juice: tart, slightly tannic, and moderately sweet. It's an impressive flavor that will definitely transform what you think about bottled grape juice.
Press Clips: SodaStream May Close West Bank Plant
SodaStream CEO Daniel Birnbaum's looming decision on the fate of a West Bank plant will be based on "purely financial" considerations.
Honest Tea Becomes First Coke Brand in K-Cups
Honest Tea is the first Coke-owned brand to develop a line of K-Cups for use in Keurig’s hot brewing unit. Intended to be brewed over ice and served cold, the launch of Honest Tea’s new single-serve “pods” comes months before the expected debut of Keurig’s cold beverage system, one that will enable consumers to prepare a variety of cold drinks, including carbonated ones, at home.
Big Red Acquires Xyience
As part of the deal, Xyience, currently based in Las Vegas, will end its partnership with the UFC and focus on a broader demographic of healthy consumers.
Odwalla Looks for Clear Advantage with New Packaging
Taking a cue from its cold-pressed counterparts, Odwalla has replaced its longtime 12 oz. single-serve frosted plastic bottle with a larger-sized 15.2 oz. clear PET container.
Review: Harmless Harvest Dark Cacao
While chocolate-flavored coconut water is certainly not a new thing, Harmless Harvest’s approach brings an innovative twist to the concept. The product, which, like Harmless Harvest’s flagship coconut water is high pressure processed and promoted as "raw," contains only two ingredients: organic coconut water and organic cacao extract.
Distribution Roundup: Australian Juice Brand Heads to Texas
Look no further than this week’s distribution roundup to get a read on trending beverage categories.