New Beverage Showdown 5 at BevNET Live Summer 13 – APPLY TODAY! New Beverage Showdown 5 at BevNET Live Summer 13 – APPLY TODAY!

New Beverage Showdown 5 at BevNET Live Summer 13 – APPLY TODAY!

by BevNET.com Staff,

BevNET Live’s signature competition, the New Beverage Showdown, will be back in the Big Apple this summer. The New Beverage Showdown, which takes place as part of the two-day BevNET Live conference, will be held on June 4 and 5, 2013 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City. The competition gives beverage entrepreneurs an opportunity to show off their business plans and new products and receive immediate feedback from a judging panel.

Review: Victoria’s Almond Water New Flavors Review: Victoria’s Almond Water New Flavors

Review: Victoria’s Almond Water New Flavors

by BevNET.com Staff,

Victoria's Almond Water is a line of all-natural drinks made with a base of purified water and cane sugar and infused with natural extracts (almond, vanilla, rose). The brand recently introduced coconut and licorice/mint varieties, each of which are nice complements to the original product, however, we feel more needs to be done in terms of differentiation in packaging.

Hybrid Beverages Trend at Expo West Hybrid Beverages Trend at Expo West

Hybrid Beverages Trend at Expo West

by Max Rothman,

Lining the aisles of Natural Products Expo West, which recently concluded in Anaheim, Calif., few booths touted products with a singular appeal. Rather, juices were packed with extracts. Coconut water was melded with teas, protein and coffee. Key, growth-driving ingredients rarely stood alone.

Expo West: More Natural Brands Aiming for Mainstream Grocery Launches Expo West: More Natural Brands Aiming for Mainstream Grocery Launches

Expo West: More Natural Brands Aiming for Mainstream Grocery Launches

by Jeffrey Klineman,

One might imagine that there would be a focus on natural and specialty retailers among the brands working the aisles of a natural products exposition, but at Natural Products Expo West, which wrapped up on Sunday, a growing number of beverage companies have started bypassing those channels – and Whole Foods itself – altogether in an attempt to capitalize on the very same health and wellness movement that the grocer helped to launch to prominence.

Review: Love Beets Review: Love Beets

Review: Love Beets

by BevNET.com Staff,

While the market for beet juice has traditionally been quite small, the beverage is finding a growing number of enthusiasts, and in particular, serious athletes. That being said, it’s hard…

Judge Invalidates NYC Beverage Ban Judge Invalidates NYC Beverage Ban

Judge Invalidates NYC Beverage Ban

by Ray Latif,

Calling New York City’s impending ban on the on-premise sale of large sugary drinks one that is "fraught with arbitrary and capricious consequences,” a judge today blocked the city’s administration from implementing and enforcing the ban.

BevNET TV: Harmless Harvest Launches Innovative “Raw” Tea BevNET TV: Harmless Harvest Launches Innovative “Raw” Tea

BevNET TV: Harmless Harvest Launches Innovative “Raw” Tea

by Ray Latif,

It was nearly two years ago when Harmless Harvest launched a first-of-its-kind “raw” and organic coconut water, in which the company utilized high pressure processing (HPP), instead of pasteurization, as a means of delivering not only a safe product, but one that retained the flavor profile and nutrients of the liquid closer its original form. Today, Harmless Harvest has once again turned to HPP to launch an innovative line of organic, cold-brewed tea drinks.

Rockstar: Scientific Study Proves Safety Rockstar: Scientific Study Proves Safety

Rockstar: Scientific Study Proves Safety

by Jeffrey Klineman,

The country's third-biggest energy drink company, Rockstar, has published a white paper prepared by research and testing company Intertek that pushes back against reports that the product might be dangerous to consumers.

L.A. Libations Invests in Chia\Vie L.A. Libations Invests in Chia\Vie

L.A. Libations Invests in Chia\Vie

by Jeffrey Klineman,

Distribution player L.A. Libations announced an investment in chia smoothie company Chia\Vie today at National Products Expo West.

LIVE Updates From the Show Floor at Expo West LIVE Updates From the Show Floor at Expo West

LIVE Updates From the Show Floor at Expo West

by BevNET.com Staff,

The 2013 Natural Products Expo West has descended upon the Anaheim Convention Center, and BevNET is on location to cover the massive event. With a veritable barrage of new products and cutting edge trends in the natural channel, we'll be updating readers with news immediately as it happens.

BevNET TV: ZICO Unveils New Products, Package Sizes BevNET TV: ZICO Unveils New Products, Package Sizes

BevNET TV: ZICO Unveils New Products, Package Sizes

by Ray Latif,

On the eve of the 2013 Natural Products Expo West show, ZICO has unveiled a number of new package sizes and products designed to expand its reach among a range of new consumers and retail placements. BevNET visited the company at its headquarters in El Segundo, Calif. to get a first look at its updated line-up of coconut water drinks.

Initial Beverage School Chicago Lineup, Agenda Topics Posted Initial Beverage School Chicago Lineup, Agenda Topics Posted

Initial Beverage School Chicago Lineup, Agenda Topics Posted

by BevNET.com Staff,

Held on April 10, Beverage School Chicago presents a unique opportunity for launch-focused beverage entrepreneurs to get an early understanding of the most important issues in the business. The event, which provides participants with the insights of veteran beverage entrepreneurs, executives, suppliers, and other experts, will be a one-day intensive “Beverages 101.”

Pitaya Plus Discontinues Juice Line Pitaya Plus Discontinues Juice Line

Pitaya Plus Discontinues Juice Line

by Ray Latif,

It may be a disappointing end to a once promising beverage brand, but Pitaya Plus founder Chuck Casano said that discontinuing his company’s line of pitaya drinks is for the best. Casano and his team are now focused on the growth and development of its raw, organic frozen smoothie packs while continuing to support its social mission in working with independent pitaya farmers and single mothers in poverty-stricken communities in Nicaragua.

Expo West Intro: ALO Light Expo West Intro: ALO Light

Expo West Intro: ALO Light

by Ray Latif,

Offering consumers an alternative to its higher calorie offerings, ALO has introduced a new line of reduced-calorie, reduced-sugar aloe juice drinks. ALO Light is sweetened with a blend of cane sugar, erythritol and stevia and contains 50 percent less sugar and calories than the brand's original line-up of drinks.