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.

Review: Coco Libre Protein

Maverick Brands has extended its line of Coco Libre drinks with Coco Libre Protein, a blend of coconut water and 20 grams of whey and milk protein isolate. In our review of three of the flavors in the line – Chocolate, Vanilla and Almond – we found the formulation of the drinks to be quite enjoyable, and while the packaging could use a few tweaks, the line is great extension for the brand.

Stripped-Down Entrepreneurship

Within the world of small startups, my ideal is the two-person shop, where you get the healthy push and pull of competing viewpoints but still keep the overhead miniscule. And if you look out on the field of entrepreneurial brands, two-person partnerships are legion.

Beverage School: Organic Certification 101

Consumer demand for organic drinks is thriving, and it’s clear that beverage companies are taking notice. However, navigating the process to achieve organic certification can be expensive, complex and time-consuming, particularly for new beverage companies. As such, it is extremely important to understand the sourcing requirements and labeling directives necessary to market an organic product.

Review: NEO Energy

Leaping into the growing fray of better-for-you energy drinks, NEO recently launched NEO Energy, an organic energy drink made with electrolytes.The product contains organic caffeine, ginseng, electrolytes, and B vitamins. While the branding doesn’t feel like something that was designed for the natural channel (a likely starting point for an organic energy drink), it's a product that we think will appeal to a variety of consumers.

BevNET’s 2013 Functional Beverage Guide is Now Available for Download

Featuring dozens of beverage brands and suppliers from a wide variety of drink categories, BevNET’s 2013 Functional Beverage Guide is an essential resource for beverage manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and retailers. Download your FREE copy of the guide here.

BevNET Live: Zola Founder Chris Cuvelier on Switching Gears to Grow

In the past 18 months Zola has launched a two-pronged attack on the RTD beverage world, growing both its acai-centric lines while also turning its coconut water concept into an in-demand product line that has growing shelf placements and fast turns.

The Experts: Embracing the “Real”

There’s evidence all around us – whether it’s watching someone gush over the sleek design of a new phone and then seek out the perfect hand-carved, petrified-jungle-wood case to put it in or the proliferation of farmers markets in big cities – people are looking for, and need, realness. There is a powerful urge to get in touch with what they believe is a more “real” world and it’s leading us to a place where signs of realness take on greater value.

Review: Harmless Harvest Raw Tea

Known for its super premium line of organic coconut waters, Harmless Harvest recently launched an innovative line of tea products that are made with “raw” tea leaves. The three-SKU line,…

Beverage School Chicago is Almost Sold Out; Less Than 20 Seats Remain!

With fewer than 20 seats remaining, Beverage School Chicago is almost sold out! The one-day event will offer attendees an intensive “Beverages 101” on the most important issues in the business via insights of veteran beverage entrepreneurs, executives, suppliers, and other experts. If you are interested in attending Beverage School Chicago, register now.