Black Momma Beverage Industry

STōK Cold Brew Coffee offering sabbaticals

STōK Cold Brew Coffee, a brand of Broomfield, Colo.-based Danone North America, officially is calling for applications to take a STōK-bbatical and will pay you to pursue what you're truly passionate about.

Johnnie Walker celebrates ‘Game of Thrones’ legacy

Johnnie Walker, a brand of Norwalk, Conn.-based Diageo North America, and HBO Licensing & Retail announced they are introducing two new Scotch whiskies to the realm in honor of the enduring legacy of HBO’s series “Game of Thrones.” A continued collaboration with HBO, the limited-edition whisky blends are inspired by the fictional houses of Westeros — House Stark and House Targaryen — and are successors to the White Walker by Johnnie Walker limited-edition blend that launched in 2018.

 

 

Dr Pepper ‘Fansville’ returns for 2nd season

Keurig Dr Pepper, Plano, Texas, announced that “Fansville,” the Dr Pepper parody TV show drama, returned in time for the 2019-2020 college football season.

Juicy Juice adds 3 better-for-you beverages to lineup

Juicy Juice, a brand of Harvest Hill Beverage Co., Stamford, Conn., is adding three new better-for-you options to its portfolio: Fruitifuls Organic, Juicy Waters and Juicy Juice + Protein.

Puerto de Indias expands to Connecticut, Georgia

Puerto de Indias, New York, is expanding distribution of its flagship Strawberry Gin this summer to new U.S. markets including Connecticut and Georgia.

Heaven Hill Brands to acquire Black Velvet Canadian Whisky

Heaven Hill Brands, Bardstown, Ky., has signed an agreement to acquire Black Velvet Canadian Whisky, the second-largest selling Canadian whisky in the world, from Victor, N.Y.-based Constellation Brands Inc. 

Natural Light Seltzer hits the hard seltzer market

Natural Light, a brand of St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch, announced the launch of Natural Light Seltzer, a flavor-forward, 6 percent alcohol-by-volume beverage that is available in two blends of fruit flavors: Aloha Beaches and Catalina Lime Mixer.

Dunkin’ celebrates fall season early with pumpkin releases

The calendar and climate still say summer, but for pumpkin lovers across the country, the excitement and demand for the favorite flavor of fall already is here. Canton, Mass.-based Dunkin’ is fulfilling fans’ fall wishes by bringing back classic Pumpkin Flavored Coffees, introducing a new pumpkin espresso beverage and even rebranding eight Dunkin’ shops across the U.S. as Pumpkin’ to serve guests a first taste for free.

Phocus releases Peach flavor for sparkling water lineup

Sparkling water brand Clear/Cut Phocus (Phocus), Louisville, Ky., launched its new Peach flavor in conjunction with August's National Peach Month. Peach will join the current roster of Phocus offerings which includes Grapefruit, Blood Orange, Yuzu & Lime, Cucumber, and Natural, and will be available nationwide. 

The Rock, VOSS Water unveil first campaign together

Dwayne Johnson and New York-based VOSS Water introduced VOSS’ newest consumer-facing advertising and social media campaign: Live Every Drop. 

SodaStream honors '90s decade by teaming up with Tori Spelling

Airport City, Israel-based SodaStream, a brand of PepsiCo Inc., has teamed up with actress and TV personality Tori Spelling to help eliminate single-use plastic waste, while also honoring the ‘90s decade which brought about the Internet, boy bands and scrunchies, the company says.

Downton Abbey-inspired teas released

In anticipation of the upcoming “Downton Abbey” movie, The Republic of Tea, Novato, Calif., announced new limited-edition Downton Abbey Movie Teas, which are available for purchase beginning Aug. 1. The flavors are inspired by the award-winning TV series’ characters, bringing to life the drama, relationships and intriguing personalities of the Crawley household, the company says.

PairME Wines aims to bring French wine to millennials

Jacques Alexandre Azoulay has paired with wine connoisseur Scott Glauber as the importer and distributor of PairME Wines, a new brand aimed at making high-quality French wines accessible to millennials, it says.

Readers name their favorite new beverage of June

As summer continues to roll by, consumer interest in cannabis beverages still reigns. In the Readers’ Choice: New Product poll for June, Beverage Industry readers’ selected Oki CBD-Infused Beverages as their favorite new product release.

ITO EN Oi Ocha green teas coming soon to Walmart

ITO EN (North America) Inc., New York, announced that its Oi Ocha ready-to-drink (RTD) green tea brand, soon will be available in Walmart stores nationwide. Slated for placement in October, the company will launch two unsweetened flavors in the store: Oi Ocha green tea, Japan’s top selling brand, and Jasmine Green Tea, a popular green tea infused with jasmine flowers.

The Glenlivet releases new expression

The Glenlivet, a brand of New York-based Pernod Ricard USA, released its newest expression: The Glenlivet 14 Year Old. 

Essentia records most successful sales quarter to date

Essentia, Bothell, Wash., ended the 2019 second quarter with $67 million sales, based on sales data from Information Resources Inc. (IRI) ending June 16. Finishing with $22 million above the second quarter of 2018, an increase of 47 percent, this represents the company’s most successful quarter, it adds.

Good Day launches CBD-infused beverage line

Good Day, Los Angeles, launched its line of premium CBD-infused beverages. Designed to keep you balanced throughout the day, the lineup features Cold-brew coffee for a boost of easygoing energy, Citrus sparkling water for mental and physical refreshment, and Chamomile herbal tea for enhanced relaxation and stress release, the company says. 

Coca-Cola reports growth for second quarter

The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, reported strong operating results in the second quarter of 2019, driven by consumer-centric innovation, solid core brand performance and improved execution in the marketplace, it says.

‘Friends’ beverages launch at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf shops

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Los Angeles, has partnered with Warner Bros. Consumer Products to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the TV series “Friends.” To commemorate the milestone, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf collaborated with Warner Bros. to create special-edition Central Perk Coffee and Central Perk Tea products, named after the show's legendary coffee shop. The Friends-inspired coffee products now are available for purchase online and will be available in retail stores starting July 31 through the end of summer.

AB InBev rolls out PureDraught System

Leuven, Belgium-based AB InBev, through its Global Innovation and Technology Center (GITEC), is introducing PureDraught, a one-way, polymer keg system that keeps beer fresher up to four times longer than a traditional steel keg and reduces the carbon footprint of shipping beer — all while offering more versatility and variety for bar and restaurant owners, it says.

Mooala Creamers offer plant-based solution with zero sugar

Mooala announced the launch of a new line of organic, plant-based creamers made with a base of coconut cream and almonds with no added sugars.

G Fuel launches new pack size

New York-based G Fuel Energy Formula, the official energy drink of Esports, announced its ready-to-drink (RTD) energy drink now is available in 16-ounce cans at gfuel.com.

CBA releases latest Sustainability Report

Craft Brew Alliance Inc. (CBA), Portland, Ore., published its sixth Annual Sustainability Report, which highlights the company’s 2018 accomplishments in environmental and community stewardship and ongoing commitment to brewing and packaging its beers in the most sustainable way possible. For this year’s report, CBA is incorporating certain metrics using standards set forth by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), an independent organization that facilitates communication between companies and investors on the financial impacts of sustainability.

Pernod Ricard USA acquires majority share of Rabbit Hole Whiskey
With this strategic partnership, Pernod Ricard USA further expands its portfolio of newly created specialty brands with unique and comprehensive value propositions and select distribution. Rabbit Hole will be part of the New Brand Ventures portfolio.

Castle Brands releases 2019 results
New York-based Castle Brands Inc. reported financial results for the quarter and fiscal year ending March 31.

Achaval Ferrer acquiries Melipal Winery
Achaval Ferrer, which was founded in 1998 and acquired in 2011 by SPI Group, announced that it has acquired Melipal Winery located in Agrelo, Mendoza.

Budweiser launches limited-edition beer

St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch launched Harvest Reserve Deep Golden Lager, a new limited-edition beer created in collaboration with farmers who have grown the barely used to brew Budweiser for generations, the company says.

Michelob ULTRA launches initiatives that supports organic farming

Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold, a brand of St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch, launched a new initiative called Contract for Change that supports American barley farmers who want to transition conventional fields to try organic production for the first time. The brand, alongside expert agronomists, will provide assistance to farmers as they navigate the costly and time-consuming steps required to grow certified organic crops.

High Brew Coffee welcomes Shakira as celebrity investor

High Brew Coffee, Austin, Texas, is welcoming a new celebrity investor: singer, songwriter and music superstar Shakira. The businesswoman is using her talents to help bring High Brew's "For Those Who Do" message to a larger, more diverse audience, the company says.