AQUAhydrate Finalizes Distribution Deals with Kroger, Safeway

AQUAhydrate today announced that it has finalized distribution deals with the nation’s two largest grocery retailers, Kroger and Safeway. The agreements will bring the high alkaline and enhanced water brand into stores owned by the two chains and their subsidiaries in regions across the country.

Beverage School: Social Media, Digital Marketing on a Budget

While companies like PepsiCo and The Coca-Cola Co. are able to devote millions of dollars in resources to develop and enhance a social media presence, most entrepreneurial beverage companies are faced with an extremely limited budget for any kind of marketing or advertising, much less a focused plan of attack online. However, there are some affordable options available to small companies looking to reach the growing number of socially savvy consumers.

REMINDER: BevNET Live Summer ’13 Early Registration Discount Ends on April 15

Just a friendly reminder that early registration for BevNET Live Summer '13 ends in less than one week. Taking place on June 4 & 5, 2013 in New York City, the two-day business forum is an ideal learning and networking opportunity for beverage entrepreneurs, suppliers, distributors, retailers and investors.

Review: Thirsty Buddha

Produced in Thailand and marketed by a Canadian company, Thirsty Buddha is now making its way into the U.S. market. It's Its flagship product is a 16 oz. steel can of not from concentrate coconut water. Ultimately, this is a perfectly fine coconut water that has a nice look compared to some of the other products that are on the market today.

New Leaf Identifies New Strategic Initiatives

New Leaf Brands has outlined a series of new cost cutting initiatives and reiterated plans to expand business operations via the acquisition of “brands, distributors and co-packers in our industry,” as part of its restructuring and turnaround efforts. While the company continues to face an upward struggle toward profitability, CEO David Fuselier stated that the company is attempting to reduce supply chain and corporate operating costs, and new strategic partnerships.

Review: Komplete Protein Drinks

Kate Farms’ Komplete is a line of vegan- and soy-free protein drinks that takes a different approach that other products that we’ve seen in this category. Overall, a very unique product that’s in need of some visual help, especially since what’s inside the container is great.

Energy Category Growth Slowing

Months of regulatory pounding have begun to take their toll on the energy drink category, as sales growth has begun to slow, although the category does remain one of the most vital in beverage overall.

Review: Steaz Green Tea w/ Coconut Water

Riding the tidal wave of demand for coconut water, a range of beverage companies have continued to innovative with the use of the liquid as a complementary ingredient. One such company is Steaz, which recently introduced a an organic green tea and coconut water drink. From our perspective, coconut water and green tea definitely seems like a winning combination and Steaz has done a great job of executing this product.

Body Armor Gets DPSG Distribution in NJ, NorCal

Body Armor, the brand started by Fuze founder Collins and backed by heavyweight investor and Vitaminwater sales chief Mike Repole, announced yesterday that the nutrient-enhanced "superdrink" will be distributed by the DPSG network in New Jersey and Northern California.

Review: Coco Fresco

Joining the somewhat limited ranks of coconut water packaged in glass bottles is Coco Fresco, a Vietnam sourced coconut water. While there are probably some retailers and consumers who will grab a glass bottle over a carton or a can, Coco Fresco really doesn’t feel like a developed brand.

Ex Drinks Ceases U.S. Operations

Ex Drinks is an ex-beverage company… at least in the U.S. On Friday, the company, which marketed a range of functional beverages, announced that it would cease sales in the U.S. The company notified BevNET and other business contacts of the news via a short e-mail, which offered no specific details on the decision.

BevNET Live: Wild’s Bob Bloom on Managing the Cost of Failure

BevNET is pleased to announce that Bob Bloom, the director of business development at WILD Flavors, will turn his deep experience with beverage entrepreneurs into a presentation at BevNET Live in New York on June 4 and 5. In "Managing the Cost of Failure," Mr. Bloom will outline lessons learned over years of helping usher new companies into the marketplace

Judge Tosses Out “All-Natural” Lawsuit Against AriZona

AriZona Beverages can breathe a sigh of relief now that a federal judge has tossed out a long-running class-action lawsuit claiming that the company misrepresents its products as “all-natural.” In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Richard Seeborg decertified the class of consumers in the suit and stated that the plaintiffs did not introduce any evidence to prove their allegations that high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and citric acid are artificial ingredients.