CHATTANOOGA, TN. Two of Chattanooga’s most innovative brands, Snapdragon Cannabis Co. and Hemp Rolls, have announced the formation of a joint venture: Riverside Beverage Co., a 50/50 partnership built to meet rising demand for alcohol alternatives and functional wellness drinks. In tandem, the venture has acquired the former Hutton & Smith production facility, further cementing its role as a cornerstone of the region’s next beverage revolution.
Rooted in cannabinoid innovation and craft beverage culture, the two companies joined forces after identifying a critical gap in Tennessee’s production ecosystem. Their vision: to empower small and mid-sized beverage brands with affordable, locally rooted, and scalable canning services, while also launching their own in-house lines that push the boundaries of function-first beverage innovation.
Born at the River’s Edge, Built for What’s Next
Much like the heron that graces its label, Riverside Beverage Co. is alert, adaptive, and forward-facing. As Tennessee’s alcohol and cannabis laws continue to evolve, the founders recognized a seismic consumer shift: drinkers are turning away from alcohol and soda, and toward wellness-focused alternatives.
“With ABC laws changing the industry, we saw a moment to redefine what the beverage space could look like,” said David Powers, CEO of Hemp Rolls. “Snapdragon brings unmatched brand vision and marketing execution. Hemp Rolls excels in operational excellence and scalability. Together, we’re creating something that can stand toe-to-toe with legacy beer brands with a focus on health-forward innovation.”
The Hutton & Smith Handoff: Keeping the Craft, Expanding the Vision
Riverside Beverage Co. will continue to operate the award-winning Hutton & Smith production facility, utilizing the same expert brewers and core recipes that have earned national acclaim.
“We’re honoring the legacy of Hutton & Smith by keeping the same talented team at the helm,” Powers continued. “They’ll continue brewing what people love while also applying their skill to the next generation of functional beverages.”
Founders Joel and Melanie Krautstrunk will remain positively involved throughout the transition and retain full ownership and brand rights to the Hutton & Smith taproom on MLK Boulevard.
Designed for Growth, Built by Visionaries
Riverside Beverage Co. will act as both a production partner and an incubator, helping up-and-coming brands scale and launch beverages that reflect the changing tastes of today’s consumers, from adaptogenic sodas and THC-infused drinks to botanical blends and performance-focused elixirs.
“Our goal is to make innovation accessible,” said Josh Manning, CEO of Snapdragon Cannabis Co. “We want to give smaller brands access to high-quality production while also making room for gutsy new ideas that don’t fit inside traditional beverage boxes.”
About Snapdragon Cannabis Co.
Snapdragon Cannabis Co. is a Tennessee-based cannabinoid leader known for cutting-edge drink, edible, and wellness products, including its proprietary RINS9™ formulation developed in the Tennessee Valley. With a reputation for science-backed creativity and intentional branding, Snapdragon is setting new industry standards across the Southeast.
About Hemp Rolls
Hemp Rolls built its name on precision, speed, and consistency, delivering high-quality hemp pre-rolls, drinks, and edibles with scalable production and market-tested quality. Their culture of innovation makes them an ideal partner for this new beverage era.
About Riverside Beverage Co.
Riverside Beverage Co. is Chattanooga’s new hub for functional beverage production and innovation. With state-of-the-art canning services and a focus on elevating health-forward brands, Riverside exists to uplift regional drink makers and reshape the American beverage landscape.
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