Black Momma Beverage Industry

Truly Hard Seltzer reintroduces spirits-based seltzer brand

The Boston Beer Co.’s Truly Hard Seltzer, an innovator in the hard seltzer category, reintroduced its first spirits-based seltzer as Truly Vodka Soda. Rolling out now in time for the summer season, Truly Vodka Soda combines six-times-distilled vodka, real fruit juice and premium flavors, it says.

G.O.A.T. Fuel closes on $5M seed round to accelerate growth trajectory

Los Angeles-based G.O.A.T. Fuel, the health-forward energy drink from Pro Football Hall of Famer and renowned NFL G.O.A.T. Jerry Rice, announced closing on its initial Series Seed round of financing, which was oversubscribed and raised $5 million, putting total funds raised since launching in 2020 during the pandemic at $12 million. 

Funky Buddha Brewery reacquires company from Constellation Brands

The founders of Funky Buddha Brewery — Ryan and KC Sentz — are reacquiring their Oakland Park, Fla.-based business from Constellation Brands, Victor, N.Y. Both the Sentzs and Constellation agreed that now is the ideal time for the original owners to reclaim control of the company and focus on beverage innovation, new consumer experiences, and additional product lines.  

DoorDash report shows growth for alcohol orders

DoorDash released its inaugural Alcohol Online Ordering Trends Report and a first look at the third annual Restaurant Online Ordering Trends Report. Consumers continue to look for convenience as delivery apps have become a part of people’s everyday routines from ordering food and alcohol to groceries, gifts, and more. In fact, in 2023, consumers prefer ordering food via third-party apps or websites significantly more than in 2022.

Rockstar Energy to give away $50,000 to fuel Memorial Day travels

Rockstar Energy, a brand of Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo, announced that starting this weekend, the brand wants to “Fuel Your Drive” by giving away $50,000 to help summer travelers across the country get cash back at the pump and stay energized to get to their next destination. In addition to the Memorial Day weekend giveaway, to keep consumers fueled up and energized all summer long, Rockstar Energy will reward travelers with up to $5 cash back when they buy two products now through Labor Day, it says.

Stoli Group invests in The Pathfinder Hemp and Root

Seattle-based The Pathfinder Hemp and Root, the fermented and distilled non-alcoholic amaro, announced a strategic investment from Stoli Group, New York.

Coca-Cola Flex makes beverage variety more accessible

The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, announced the launch of Coca-Cola Flex powered by Freestyle, a new beverage dispenser that offers an enhanced guest experience while reducing operational complexity. The next-generation dispenser debuted at the 2023 National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago.

Constellation Brands acquires minority stake in TÖST

Constellation Brands Inc., Victor, N.Y., has acquired a minority stake in TÖST, a flavor-forward and alcohol-free sparkling beverage brand. The investment was made through Constellation’s venture capital group, which aims to collaborate with people and brands driving innovation and transforming the future of the industry together.

Boston Beer Co. donates to National Black Brewers Association at CBC

Boston-based The Boston Beer Co., makers of Samuel Adams beer, announced at the Annual Craft Brewers Conference in Nashville a donation of $225,000 to the National Black Brewers Association (NB2A). This donation was timed to the launch of the NB2A, an organization dedicated to addressing underrepresentation of Black people in the brewing industry.

Dos Equis announces 3 new products in time for summer

Following its successful introduction to the popular ready-to-drink category last year, Dos Equis, a brand of Heineken USA, White Plains, N.Y., is expanding its product portfolio with Dos Equis Lime & Salt ZERO non-alcoholic, Dos Equis Michelada and Dos Equis Mango Margarita.

National Black Brewers Association launches at CBC

The craft brewing business accounted for nearly $29 billion in beer sales last year, which is nearly one-quarter of the $120 billion beer industry revenue in the United States. But of the nearly 10,000 craft brewers in the country, only about 1% are Black individuals. A group of like-minded Black entrepreneurs now are setting out ― determined to change this dynamic.

PLEZi Nutrition, Michelle Obama team up for kids’ drink

PLEZi Nutrition, a public benefit company on a mission to create higher standards for how the U.S. makes and markets food and beverages for kids, leading with nutrition, taste, and truth, announced that former First Lady Michelle Obama has joined the company as a co-founder and strategic partner.

Twisted Tea unveils iconic Rocket Pop flavor in time for summer

Twisted Tea Hard Iced Tea, a brand of Boston-based The Boston Beer Co., unveiled a surprise release of a new, limited-edition flavor: Twisted Tea Rocket Pop. A taste as big and as bright as fireworks on the Fourth of July, this limited-edition Twisted Tea combines the bold, iconic flavors of Rocket Pop — including lemon-lime, cherry and blue raspberry — with the smooth and delicious taste of America’s hard iced tea, the company says.

Spirit of Gallo acquires Fishers Island Lemonade

Spirit of Gallo, Modesto, Calif., has announced that it will acquire Fishers Island Lemonade, Mystic, Conn., a female-founded beverage brand. With a 9% ABV, Fishers Island Lemonade is positioned as a leader in the premium RTD category with its full-flavor taste profile of barrel-aged whiskey and premium vodka— its four-pack is offered at $15.99, the company notes. Today, the Fishers Island Lemonade family also includes Fishers Island Half and Half (7% ABV) and Fishers Island Pink Flamingo (7% ABV) line priced with a suggested retail price of $15.99 for a four-pack along with variety eight-pack offerings.

Absolut announces new U.S. collaboration with Ocean Spray

Absolut, a brand of New York-based Pernod Ricard USA, introduced the Absolut Vodka and Ocean Spray Vodka-Cranberry Range — a new ready-to-drink (RTD) line with Ocean Spray, Lakeville-Middleboro, Ma., building on the brands’ successful marketing partnership in the United States. Inspired by the classic combination of Absolut Vodka and Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice, this iconic collaboration will deliver one of America’s favorite serves with the new RTD line coming early 2024, the company says.

Vizzy Hard Seltzer debuts Orange Cream Pop variety

Vizzy Hard Seltzer, a brand of Chicago-based Molson Coors Beverage Co., is bringing the heat this summer with a new limited-edition summer flavor: Vizzy Orange Cream Pop Hard Seltzer and the debut of “Flavor For Every Vibe,” a fresh advertising campaign featuring bold, never-before-seen TV ads and a nationwide packaging glow-up.

Pepsi announces Muévelo con Pepsi Latin fusion dance master class

Just in time for International Dance Day on April 29, Pepsi invites fans of Latin music to meet in the metaverse for the first-ever Muévelo con Pepsi Latin fusion dance master class led by celebrity creative director, choreographer and actor Beau Casper Smart, and featuring some of today’s most popular Latin music genres. 

Buddha Brands launches Thirsty Buddha Soda

Buddha Brands, Montreal, has launched Thirsty Buddha Soda, a new line of sodas that are low in sugar, fiber-rich, and made with plant-based prebiotics to support a healthy gut. The company’s new low sugar sodas come in a variety of nostalgic flavors and are made without anything artificial, the company says.

Chamberlain Coffee brings wave of innovation with cold brew Latte line

Los Angeles-based Chamberlain Coffee, a coffee lifestyle brand and brainchild of Emma Chamberlain, announced the launch of its new line of ready-to-drink (RTD) plant-based cold brew lattes. The highly anticipated release brings fans the same high-quality product they’ve come to expect in a new convenient format, it says. Through an exclusive collaboration with Walmart, fans will be able to shop the RTD lattes on shelves nationwide.

Lipton Hard Iced Tea hits the market

Made with real brewed Lipton tea, natural fruit flavors and a triple-filtered, premium malt base, Lipton Hard Iced Tea, produced by The Sunrise Brewing Co., Rochester, N.Y.,  takes the popular tea and reimagines it as a 5% ABV non-carbonated product, it says.  Launching in four flavors — Lemon, Peach, Strawberry and Half & Half — this hard iced tea lineup is inspired by Lipton tea fan favorites, it adds.

Gaviña Coffee Co. celebrates Earth Day with recycling milestone

Los Angeles-based Gaviña Coffee Co. announced it has recycled more than 2 million used coffee bags, single-serve coffee pods and espresso capsules through its Coffee Bag and Pod Free Recycling Program with global recycling company TerraCycle.

SodaStream announces 5 billion single-use bottles saved in 2022

In honor of Earth Day 2023, SodaStream, a brand of Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo, is announcing the successful elimination of 5 billion single-use plastic bottles (sized 0.5 liters) in 2022 with the help of its consumers around the world, it says. 

5-hour ENERGY releases limited-edition tropical variety

Farmington Hills, Mich.-based Living Essentials, the makers of 5-hour ENERGY products, unleashed a new tsunami of flavor with the release of Tidal Twist. The new Tidal Twist Extra Strength 5-hour ENERGY shot will be sold exclusively at participating 7-Eleven and Speedway stores, beginning this month.

The Boston Beer Co. introduces Slingers Signature Cocktail lineup

Boston-based The Boston Beer Co., makers of Samuel Adams, Truly Hard Seltzer, Twisted Tea, Angry Orchard and Dogfish Head, announced the launch of Slingers Signature Cocktails, a malt-based lineup of full-flavor, 8% ABV cocktail-style drinks packaged in a 24-ounce can. Debuting in three flavors — Bahama Mama, Peach Screwdriver and Pineapple Punch — Slingers is hitting shelves this month in Cleveland, Pittsburgh and select areas of New Hampshire, the company notes. 

Double-digit growth of store brands continues

During the first three months of this year, store brands picked up right where they left off in 2022, with double-digit sales increases and greater market share in both dollars and units, according to nationwide data provided exclusively to PLMA by Chicago-based Circana (formerly IRI and NPD).

PepsiCo launches Greenhouse Accelerator Program: Juntos Crecemos Edition

PepsiCo Inc., Purchase, N.Y., announced the launch of its Greenhouse Accelerator Program: Juntos Crecemos (Together We Grow) Edition. This year marks the eighth year of the Greenhouse Accelerator program, and the first-ever Hispanic edition, which focuses on driving growth of emerging Hispanic-owned food and beverage businesses through collaboration and innovation.

Fawn Weaver pays homage to U.S. military with cross-country tour

Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, Shelbyville Tenn., announced its CEO and Founder Fawn Weaver's 2023 CEO tour: Thank You for Your Service. Thank You for Your Support. This year’s CEO Thank You Tour is a heartfelt journey across America, as Weaver will visit military bases nationwide to express her gratitude to one of the brand’s most supportive communities, the company says.

Jennifer Lopez launches Delola Spritzes and Cocktails

Jennifer Lopez announced the creation of THE HOUSE OF DELOLA LLC, a company she founded to launch unique, mixology-level ready-to-enjoy cocktails designed for elegant, effortless entertaining as part of a thoughtful lifestyle. 

Red Bull Summer Edition Juneberry rolls out in time for summer

Red Bull is encouraging consumers to “reach new heights this summer” with the introduction of its newest Red Bull Edition series flavor: Red Bull Summer Edition Juneberry. The limited-time offering, which has tasting notes of juneberry, red grape, cherry, and red berries with a slight floral finish, currently is available at Walmart and select SONIC Drive-In locations and will be nationwide May 1.

Jack Daniel's & Coca-Cola RTD launches in the U.S.

Jack Daniel's, a brand of Brown-Forman Corp., Louisville, Ky., and The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, debuted Jack Daniel's & Coca-Cola cocktail, a ready-to-drink (RTD), pre-mixed cocktail option for the first time in the United States. Made with Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey and Coca-Cola, Jack Daniel's & Coca-Cola RTD will continue to expand to other global markets throughout 2023, the companies note.