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
C4, Hershey’s Partner for Licensed Flavor Line
The co-branded line includes three ready-to-drink Jolly Rancher flavored C4 Performance Energy drinks, a Bubble Yum flavored pre-workout powder mix, and Hershey and Reese’s flavored protein powders – the first protein products launched under the C4 brand.
Working It Out: Will THC Infused Sports Drinks Improve Category Performance?
After a lackluster adoption in the early 2020s, a second wave of CBD-infused hydration and sports drinks is building a new consumer base alongside the successful adoption of low-dose, hemp-derived cannabis beverages.
Tasting Trees: Seedlip Founder Unveils NA Distillation Project
Seedlip founder Ben Branson unveiled his first product from Sylva Labs, his new non-alcoholic dark spirits distillation project.
As Strategics Embrace Aguas Frescas, Startups Bank on Authenticity
Startup brand Agua Bonita is still growing, but it’s been flanked by other brands in a category that has received widespread attention from all reaches of the beverage industry, from startups such as Bawi and Frescos Naturales, to launches from corporate giants like Coca-Cola and BlueTriton Brands.
Amidst Non-Alc Surge, Why Is Wine Struggling To Gain Momentum?
The non-alcoholic alternative movement continues to build momentum but alcohol-removed wine is struggling to keep up as sourcing, production and a higher price point hinder broad consumer appeal.
A Drink With… Little Saints’ Megan Klein
Little Saints founder and CEO Megan Klein talked with BevNET about the existential challenges of operating a NA brand, learning its customers' needs and the strength of being digitally native as the brands grows.
From X to Z: Clearly Canadian Builds Modern Brand on Nostalgic Bedrock
Clearly Canadian has experienced the heights of success and the depths of bankruptcy. Now the Toronto-based sweetened sparkling water brand is figuring out how to strike the right balance between 1990s nostalgia and the modern, better-for-you beverage business.
Taika’s New Formula for ‘Fueling Creativity’? More Matcha
Beyond a catch-all ‘functional cold brew,’ Taika has further defined itself as “fueling creativity”; it just so happens that ceremonial grade matcha appears to be the preferred octane.
AI Ingredient Startup Shiru Partners with Ajinimoto to Make Sweet Protein Portfolio
American food tech startup Shiru is partnering with Japanese multinational Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition on the development of new low glycemic sweetener systems created from sweet proteins identified by Shiru’s proprietary A.I. protein discovery platform.
Joe Tea ‘Crawls’ Into Cans
Joe Tea is is testing out its new canned format in three-SKUs as the company diversifies its distribution options into DTC, ecommerce and on-premise locations where glass bottles are prohibited.
WET Hydration Closes Seven-Figure Funding Round, Announces Brand Refresh
WET Hydration will be sporting a new look next month with a rebranded 12 oz. can design debuting on July 15, featuring a more vibrant array of colors intended to help the hydration drinks pop on shelf and reposition the product as a “Wellness Water.”
‘Catching The Wave’: How Kava Continues To Paddle Around The Functional Drink Category
Kava beverages have yet to fully catch on with consumers but established brands and new entrants to the category are taking differing approaches to latch onto the success in functional drinks.
Koia Extends Into Shelf-Stable, Bulks Up Into Multiserve
Koia has built its reputation in the cold box, but in order to achieve its next stage of growth the company is breaking onto the dry shelf with this month’s launch of Koia Nutrition Shakes, its first shelf-stable offering.
‘Spirits 3.0’: Lower ABV Spirits Brand Comes To U.S.
U.K.-based liquor brand Quarter Proof is making its U.S. debut this month as it attempts to offer a "third way" to drink cocktails using its lower-ABV agave and grain spirits.