In the summer of 2021, Dave Burwick’s career path collided with itself. That’s when Boston Beer, the maker of Sam Adams craft beer and Truly Hard Seltzer, announced a partnership with PepsiCo to create Hard Mtn Dew. Burwick was President and CEO of Boston Beer. Earlier in his career, he spent 20 years at PepsiCo, where he once managed the Mtn Dew brand before eventually becoming...
Have you heard about “crispy” Diet Coke? I dismissed this TikTok driven trend until my daughter mentioned it the other day.
As readers of this newsletter know, my adult son and daughter, ages 27 and 22, are an important window for me. What I see and hear from them has been valuable to my understanding of how young consumers digest media and consider brands. My kids and their friends are an antidote to the skepticism that can infect a 53-year-old brain.
It turns out my daughter and her friends are fans of “crispy” Diet Coke. And there is ritual around the drink. First, a Diet Coke goes into the freezer to get near the tipping point to ice. Next, ice is added to a reusable cup. On top of the ice goes a sachet of True Lime, which is a crystallized Lime powder (that I hadn’t heard of). The near-frozen Diet Coke is then poured over the ice and lime powder, creating the desired “crispy” effect. As my daughter explains: “It’s cold, carbonated, and super refreshing. Lime makes it even more crispy.” So young people do drink Diet Coke?
That wasn’t all she surprised me with. I’ve often...
Kraft Heinz Adds Functional and Mixer Lines to Crystal Light
February 20, 2024
Introductions of powdered single-serve water enhancers continue to roll in, with significant extensions this month coming from both a notable emerging brand and a well established brand. This week, fast-growing canned water maker Liquid Death...
Introduction Comes as BodyArmor Adds Zero Sugar Option
January 31, 2024
Ghost, the sports nutrition company that partnered with Anheuser-Busch for a canned energy drink, has now launched an expansion into bottled hydration. Ghost Hydration, launched officially on Monday, is intended to be...
Coke North America President Mann to Keep Volume Pressure in Focus.
PBNA Supply Chain Chief Jordan Talks AI, Automation, Electric Trucks.
Whitmore Intent on Territory Optimization. Watching U.S. Alcohol Sector.
December 19, 2023
Beverage Digest hosted its annual Future Smarts conference in New York on Dec. 11. The day’s lineup of speakers included leaders from three of the largest US beverage companies — Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Keurig Dr Pepper. The executives sat for interviews on stage with Beverage Digest Editor & Publisher Duane Stanford. Below are highlights from those discussions. Takeaways from other sessions will be featured in subsequent issues of this newsletter...
We just announced the finalists for our 2023 Beverage Digest Awards. Winners in 13 drink categories will be named at Future Smarts in New York on Dec. 11.
There are a few trends worth noting from this year’s roster of finalists:
— A range of teas came to the forefront. Vying for Best Premium Drink is a Blue Tea Jasmine variant from Rishi’s line of Sparkling Botanicals, as well as a Cold Brew Tea from...
Plus, Bubly Grows in 1H US Retail Data. Prepares Extension to Challenge Sparkling Ice.
In May, BD reported on a steep sales decline for Coca-Cola’s AHA sparkling water as the brand was delisted at Publix and Coke discontinued caffeinated versions. Now, Coca-Cola has confirmed to BD that AHA will be scaled back next year in the US as Coca-Cola focuses on Topo Chico. The decision comes as Coca-Cola and other major beverage producers focus on premium water segments, both still...
Coke Spiced, BodyArmor Zero, Bubly Burst, Dr Pepper Creamy Coconut Among Coming Launches
October 12, 2023
This year’s NACS expo for convenience store operators, held last week in Atlanta, provided a first look at product innovation from beverage makers in advance of Spring shelf resets. Buyers from both chain and independent small-store retailers attend the show. NACS is the primary trade association for the global convenience and fuel retailing industry. BD attended the event to walk the show floor. Here are some of the newest products shown:
The Beverage Digest team is reporting this week from the NACS Expo for convenience store operators that starts today.
We’ll report here on the newest products shown by companies including Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Keurig Dr Pepper, Electrolit, Celsius and many more. So watch this space. See the photo carousel with this story for images of all products reported.
Increased Velocity a Focus for Key Brands Like Pepsi, Gatorade, Bubly
September 27, 2023
Executives from PepsiCo’s company-owned and independent bottling system met recently in Dallas to discuss 2024 market plans. PepsiCo Beverages North America CEO Kirk Tanner opened the meeting with a challenge to strive for “five-star excellence” when it comes to selling, service, sustainability, profit, and market share. “Three-star is good enough. Five-star is exceptional,” he said. “It is all about resetting our expectation for