Black Momma Beverage Industry

bubly releases drops for SodaStream platform

SodaStream and bubly, both entities within Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo, joined forces to give consumer more ways to enjoy freshly made sparkling water.

Michelob ULTRA releases organic hard seltzer line

Michelob ULTRA, a brand of St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch, is launching a hard seltzer for people who prioritize natural flavors and enjoy an active lifestyle. Michelob ULTRA Organic Seltzer hits shelves nationwide this month with three flavors: Cucumber Lime, Spicy Pineapple and Peach Pear.

BODYARMOR LYTE Sports Drink, Carrie Underwood enter equity partnership

BODYARMOR LYTE Sports Drink, a brand of Whitestone, N.Y.-based BODYARMOR, announced a new equity partnership with 7-time Grammy Award-winning superstar Carrie Underwood. 

Multi-faceted team of innovators announce launch of new energy drink

A multi-faceted team of fitness, health and beverage industry innovators, Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Dave Rienzi and John Shulman, announced the launch of ZOA, a new healthy energy drink set to make waves in the category. Available for purchase in March, ZOA is a reimagined energy drink packed with clean, natural caffeine from green coffee and green tea, antioxidants from camu camu and acerola, as well as vitamin D and a blend of vitamins and nutrients that support immune function and elevate energy levels.

Pepsi kicks of Super Bowl Halftime Show early

With artist and international phenom The Weeknd set to take the stage next month, Pepsi is going all-in on the Super Bowl LV Halftime Show starting now.

Bud Light Seltzer expands lineup with Lemonade extension

Bud Light Seltzer, a brand of St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch, announced the addition of a new product: Bud Light Seltzer Lemonade. Packed with lemonade taste, the new variety pack features four new flavors: Original Lemonade, Black Cherry Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade and Peach Lemonade.

2021 Bottler of the Year: Coca-Cola Bottling Co. UNITED
Founded in 1902, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. UNITED has grown to be the second largest privately owned bottler in North America. Under the leadership of its CEO John H. Sherman, the company has nearly quadrupled in size, going from 50,000 customers to 150,000, 20 facilities to 60 production and sales and distributions center and grew its revenue to $3 billion.

Truly Hard Seltzer expands portfolio with iced tea varietal

Truly Hard Seltzer, a brand of Boston-based The Boston Beer Co., announced the launch of Truly Iced Tea Hard Seltzer, an amalgamation of hard seltzer, real brewed tea and fruit flavor.

Mtn Dew adds first permanent flavor in more than a decade

Mtn Dew is going pink with Mtn Dew Major Melon. This addition to the brand's beverage portfolio features a watermelon flavor with a DEW twist. Mtn Dew Major Melon — also available in a Zero Sugar variety — is the first permanent flavor offering in more than a decade and is available nationwide now.

E. & J. Gallo completes acquisition of 30-plus wine brands

E. & J. Gallo Winery (Gallo), Modesto, Calif., has completed the acquisition of more than 30 wine brands from Constellation Brands Inc., Victor, N.Y. 

PepsiCo platform designed to support Black-owned restaurants

Recognizing the diverse range of delicious food, rich history and culture that Black-owned restaurants contribute to the American experience, Pepsi, a brand in Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo, introduced Dig In. The consumer-facing, multi-year platform is a rallying call for people to double down on supporting Black-owned restaurants.

Tea Forté releases Wellbeing Collection

To support New Year's resolutions for wellness and mindfulness, Tea Forté released its Wellbeing Collection, featuring five new tea blends designed to rejuvenate the mind and body, it says.

O'Neill Vintners & Distillers acquires Rabble Wines

O'Neill Vintners & Distillers, Paso Robles, Calif., announced the acquisition of Rabble Wines, also in Paso Robles, Calif. Founded by longtime Paso Robles vineyard manager Rob Murray in 2010, Rabble Wines produces premium, Paso Robles AVA wines with disruptive labels born from wines' struggle with Mother Nature, it says. The acquisition signals another investment by O'Neill Vintners & Distillers in the burgeoning market for younger wine drinkers.

G.O.A.T. Fuel partners with GNC

G.O.A.T. Fuel, Los Angeles, announced a new retail-partnership with GNC, which will feature the brand's line of health-focused energy drinks in select locations across the United States.

New Harlem Coffee releases Kwanzaa Blend

In the spirit of Umoja (unity) and the seven principles of Kwanzaa, the New Harlem Coffee Co., New York, has released the aromatic Kwanzaa Blend of gourmet coffee. It is blended from multi-origin coffee beans, mainly Costa Rica and Central America. This special blend is roasted in small batches to create this specially spiced flavor, the company says.

Brough Brothers Distillery opens in Kentucky

Brough Brothers Distillery, Louisville, Ky., the first Black-owned distillery in Kentucky, opened its doors for business.

Bacardi partners with Social Studies for festive décor kit

Bacardi USA, Coral Gables, Fla., has teamed up with Social Studies to curate a festive décor kit to fuel the fun of creative cocktailing and table setting.

Mooala launches keto-certified dairy alternative

Dallas-based Mooala introduced Keto Mylk. The company, best known for its plant-based Bananamilk, expanded its organic beverage portfolio to include the new, keto-certified and carb-conscious option, which features less than 1 gram of net carbs, zero grams of sugar and 5 grams of MCTs in each serving, it says.

Boxed Water adds flavored varieties to portfolio

Boxed Water Is Better, Holland, Mich., announced the launch of its flavor line with four naturally flavored varieties — Lemon, Blackberry, Cucumber and Grapefruit — hitting markets in the first quarter of 2021.

Abbott develops Pedialyte hydration solution to support immune health

Because supporting the immune system is top of mind for many people, Abbott Park, Ill.-based Abbott is launching a new Pedialyte formulation specifically designed with key nutrients to support immune health. Pedialyte with Immune Support was developed for consumers looking for key immune-supporting nutrients in their hydration solution.

VIVANT debuts interactive online wine platform

Paris-based VIVANT debuts as an interactive online platform to connect winemakers, consumers and expert wine advisers in streaming Live Experiences. The platform blends engaging interaction, personalized education and lively entertainment by transporting members to iconic wine regions without leaving home, according to the company.

Josh Cellars begin initial rollout of Prosecco Rosé

Josh Cellars, a brand of Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits, Stamford, Conn., is helping Americans celebrate everyday moments of gratitude with its new Prosecco Rosé, which begins a staged launch this December in New York, Massachusetts, Maryland and Connecticut, followed by a national launch in March. 

KDP announces 100 percent K-Cup pods recyclable

Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP), Burlington, Mass., and Plano, Texas, announced that it has successfully achieved one of its long-standing sustainability commitments — all of the K-Cup pods the company produces are now recyclable. 

bubly partners with SAGE, New York City Drag Talent this holiday season

bubly sparkling water, a brand of Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo, and SAGE, a national advocacy organization dedicated to LGBTQ+ elders, are joining forces this holiday season to support New York City's LGBTQ+ community in the latest phase of the bubly brand's hashtag #DragForAllFlavors campaign.

Southern Glazer’s eCommerce platform reaches 28 US markets

Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, Miami and Dallas, announced its B2B eCommerce platform, Proof, is now available in 28 U.S. markets for trade customers looking for a safe and easy way to place their holiday wine and spirits orders.

Drizly study suggests bullish outlook for holiday sales

A Drizly study found nearly half of retailers predicting significantly higher sales this holiday season. Additionally, 78 percent of respondents reported higher online sales since March, and Mezcal is projected to leapfrog the likes of Irish and Japanese whiskies in expectations for growth next year. 

True Citrus launches True Lemon Kids clean-label drink mixes

Baltimore-based True Citrus launched True Lemon Kids, a low-sugar, clean-label powdered drink mix designed for children.

Lagunitas releases alcohol-free IPNA

Petaluma, Calif.-based Lagunitas Brewing Co., a division of HEINEKEN USA, launched IPNA, its first non-alcohol IPA.

HEINEKEN USA announces partnership with Tastemade, Pintrest

This holiday season, HEINEKEN USA, White Plains, N.Y., is helping people celebrate the holidays in creative ways this year through its partnership with Tastemade and Pinterest. Tastemade will create six Holiday Hacks in a video for Pinterest that will showcase the new takes on the three select beer brands through clever ideas and tricks, the company says.

Gancia unveils Prosecco Rosé D.O.C. in North America

Gancia, a brand of New York-based Roust Americas, unveiled a new-to-market wine that merges the popular trends of Prosecco and Rosé into a unique varietal approved earlier this year by the governing body for the Prosecco D.O.C. appellation. Gancia's Prosecco Rosé D.O.C. will arrive onshore in North America in time for Christmas and New Year occasions, it says.