Fueled By Kombucha, Reed’s Inc. Continues Growth

Reed’s Inc., the Los Angeles-based natural soda maker, announced today in a release that its revenues in 2012 increased 20 percent to more than $30 million. Chris Reed, founder, chairman and CEO of the company, told BevNET that its Culture Club Kombucha products have driven much of the growth.

Mamma Chia is Making Moves

A couple years ago, Janie Hoffman was blending chia seed and juice drinks in the kitchen of her home. Today, Hoffman is at the helm of one of the fastest growing natural beverage companies in the U.S., and following a breakout year for Mamma Chia, the company announced three moves aimed at supporting and extending that growth.

Bossa Nova Becomes Latest Casualty of 2013

Less than four years after acquiring the brand, Beverages Holdings, LLC, the parent company of Sunny Delight Beverages Co., has discontinued Bossa Nova, the line of açai and superfruit juice drinks that was once pegged as a rising star in beverage industry. Bossa Nova is the latest casualty of 2013 following the shutdown of protein drink line Mix1, Bean & Body coffee drinks, and beverage incubator Brain-Twist.

PepsiCo CFO: Sweetener Innovation Could Fundamentally Change Cola Business

Following PepsiCo’s fourth quarter earnings call last week in which CEO Indra Nooyi announced that the company will lead the cola category via “disruptive innovation,” its CFO stated that its work with new natural sweeteners could “fundamentally change some of the elements of the core product offering in carbonated soft drinks.”

Expo West Intro: Califia Farms Iced Coffee with AlmondMilk

In the midst of rising demand for iced coffee products, Califia Farms announced that it will throw its hat into the ring with a new line of natural coffee drinks designed for vegan and non-soy consumers. Califia Farms, which markets a line of natural juices and almond milk products, will introduce Califia Farms Iced Coffee with AlmondMilk at the upcoming Natural Products Expo West show.

Review: Rage Aid

Rage Aid, a line of non-carbonated energy drinks from Canada, recently launched two new varieties: Lemonaid and Teabagger. While the overall execution of the drinks is good, it's the name Rage Aid that has us a bit confused about what the brand is trying to communicate.

Honest Tea Looks to Make a Splash With New Kids Line

Extending its reach in the kids’ beverage category, Honest Tea has introduced Honest Splash, a new line of 70-calorie juice drinks. In a statement, Honest Tea called the products an “evolution of the Honest Kids brand” that is designed for older children. Honest Splash will be sold exclusively at Target from mid-March until the end of June, when the drinks will roll out to other retailers.

Beverage Industry Seeks Delay in Enforcement of NYC Soda Ban

Opponents of New York City's impending ban on large format sugary drinks appeared in court today in hopes of delaying its enforcement until a lawsuit filed against the city is settled. Beverage marketers and retailers attempted to persuade Manhattan state Supreme Court Justice Milton Tingling that if ban does go into effect as planned, companies risk losing sales if the ban is ultimately deemed unlawful.

Review: Runa Unsweetened

Runa, which markets a line of bottled teas made from Amazonian guayusa tea, has launched two new unsweetened varieties. Much like its other offerings, Runa, which was the Best of…

Review: Novo

Novo is a new line of organic sports drinks made with a blend of coconut water, grape juice concentrate, and electrolytes. While the packaging and positioning of the product are not the typical approach for sports drink brands, Novo is definitely off to a good start.

Marking Time with Mike: Kirban Says No Deals, for Now

Compared to the number of times the questions get asked of Mike Kirban, the overall frequency is disproportionate, but the dimes get dropped to us a lot, nevertheless, so I decided to head down to Manhattan to ask him. So, I said, as Kirban settled behind his desk -- yes, in the corner office -- are you selling Vita Coco to Dr Pepper/Snapple?

Review: Angels Aphroenergy

Angels Aphroenergy is new product that has dual functions as an aphrodisiac drink and energy supplement. While the company behind the product, which is based out of Las Vegas (natch), has done a fair job with its branding, we think that it has very limited marketability.

Monster Goes for Nutrition, Muscle

After months of vociferous criticism from elected officials and consumer advocates who allege that its products are inadequately labeled, Monster Beverage Corp. will begin using a “Nutrition Facts” panel on its energy drinks and introduce labeling that includes the caffeine content of its products, according to the Associated Press.

Review: Starbucks Iced Coffee

As reported last week by BevNET, Starbucks has launched a new four-SKU line of blended coffee and milk drinks. While we applaud the company for finally coming out with an…