Barebells Launches Protein Soda As Category Expands
Bar brand Barebells showed off its move into beverages with Protein Soda at last week's NACS show, as other brands also joined the fast-growing category.
Innovation
Featured Innovation Content
Modern Iced Tea Brands Look To Flavor, Packaging To Enter C-Stores
Emerging iced tea brands showed off convenience-oriented flavors and packaging innovations as they expand and modernize the c-store set.
South Africa’s Pura Makes Play for U.S. with Soda, Kids Drink Launches
As the soda category reshapes itself under the influence of new better-for-you brands, South African soda and kids beverage producer Pura is seeking a slice of the pie in America.
Additional Content
Call Her Thirsty: Podcaster Alex Cooper Enters Beverage with Unwell Hydration
Alex Cooper, host and creator of Call Her Daddy, is jumping into beverages with the launch of Unwell Hydration, a functional drinks line made in collaboration with Nestlé.
oHHo Sees (RED) in First Collab with International Medical Charity
Cannabis products maker oHHo is giving back via a new partnership with international healthcare non-profit (RED), the first time the charity has partnered with a cannabis brand, via a new line of co-branded THC drinks and edibles which will contribute to the charity.
FedUp Foods’ New Brew
FedUp Foods is using its new Wilmington, N.C. facility to move into to the cold brew category where it will be producing private-label, Regenerative Organic Certified coffee.
Green Street Beverages Launches THC Drinks Portfolio
Green Street Beverages, a portfolio company of infused food and beverage brands made with hemp-derived THC, has launched with four brands in Minnesota, including a new version of a previously introduced NA cocktail brand, Hi Tide.
TRIP Teams with Calm on Co-Branded ‘Mindful Blend’ Drink
U.K.-based functional beverage maker TRIP is teaming up with consumer mental health company Calm on a new co-branded product intended to promote relaxation and mental well-being. The collaboration is timed to fuel an expansion of TRIP’s Mindful Blend collection in U.S. retailers.
Mateína Launches Powdered Yerba Sticks, Extends U.S. Business
Mateína, the Canadian yerba mate maker backed by podcaster and health influencer Andrew Huberman, is looking to bring more on-the-go convenience to the energizing tea segment with the online launch of a new line of powdered Yerba Sticks this month online.
Koia Gets Kid-Friendly with Latest Line Launch
Koia is going K-12 with its latest line launch, a new kid-friendly version of its protein shakes in smaller pack sizes. Koia Kids, now available online via Amazon, comes in three flavors: Chocolate Shake, Vanilla Shake and Fruity Cereal.
OwocAI: Bang Creator Mounts Comeback with Ai Energy
Just over a year after Monster Energy bought Bang Energy and its parent company Vital Pharmaceuticals (VPX) amidst bankruptcy proceedings, VPX founder Jack Owoc is launching Ai Energy, a four-SKU line of functional drinks themed around the rise of artificial intelligence.
Generous Brands Repositions As “Dedicated Beverage Company”
Less than six months removed from splitting off of Bolthouse Farms fresh produce, Generous Brands is leveraging its Sambazon partnership and its scale to bring a number of new products to market as it transitions into a "dedicated beverage company."
New Products: Luxardo Gets Bitter, Jones Gets Spooky
In this week’s new product launches, a legacy liqueur brand gets into bitters, Jones Soda gets spooktacular with Halloween-themed LTOs, and Generous Brands (previously Bolthouse Farms) rolls out a new portfolio of Sambazon and Evolution Fresh products.
NACS 2024 Reporter’s Notebook: Energy, Coffee Lines Keep Blurring
NACS is nothing if not a reminder that Americans love their caffeine. Stok Cold Brew is using its current momentum to slide into energy-focused canned RTDs. Over at the KDP booth, we got a first look at Black Rifle Coffee’s previously announced foray into traditional energy drinks.
Celsius CEO: Brand is ‘Going Bold’ with Flavor Innovation, Foodservice Expands
As the 2024 National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Show gets underway today in Las Vegas, energy drink maker Celsius is preparing for a larger push into the convenience and foodservice channels, as well as some new flavor innovations to ring in the fourth quarter.
Betting On Breast Milk: Is Lactoferrin CPG’s Newest Functional Ingredient Obsession?
Bioactive protein lactoferrin used in supplements and infant formula is usually derived from cow’s milk but a number of precision fermentation companies are using innovative processes to create a less expensive and more sustainably sourced ingredient.
Low-ABV Brands Aim To Prove They’re More Than ‘Diet’ Wine
Low-ABV wine is trying to thread the needle between non-alc and moderating consumers by offering a product that assuages the health concerns of alcohol consumption while maintaining the flavor and experience of traditional wine.