Taste Radio: Is Big Food Catching Up To Startups? And, A Legend Signs Off.

Is Big Food finally catching up to emerging brands on speed to market? As legacy CPG giants roll out protein- and fiber-forward innovations faster than ever, the team debates whether startups still hold the advantage. Plus, we give a heartfelt sendoff to Jacqui Brugliera as she departs BevNET after 12 years.

Starbucks Continues Protein Push with New RTDs

Roughly five months after beefing up its in-store menus with protein-forward handcrafted beverages, Starbucks is doubling down on the protein coffee trend with new bottled beverages.

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Distribution: Protein Pop Pushes into Costco with Plus Line

Rise Wellness is extending its Protein Pop line with Protein Pop Plus, launching in 607 Costco locations across the country this month; Better-for-you brand Zevia has unveiled upgraded packaging across its product lines, with new flavors rolling out into Walmart.

Boston Beer To Focus on Teas and RTDs in 2026

Boston Beer’s vodka-based hard tea brand Sun Cruiser “firmly established itself” in 2025, its first year with national distribution after a test launch in 2024, and recorded more than 300% YoY growth,

The Unconventional Channels Where Adult Non-Alc Is Taking Off

From yoga studios to luxury fashion houses to corporate campuses, a diverse ecosystem of alternative channels has quietly emerged as a small but meaningful growth opportunity for adult non-alcoholic (ANA) drinks – and mostly through organic discovery.

KDP Updates Prices Structuring for JDE Peet’s Deal, Gamgort to Leave Board

Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) issued an updated financing plan for its proposed acquisition of coffee giant JDE Peet’s, adding an additional $1.5 billion in equity capital and dropping consideration of a partial IPO for its beverage business as it closes in on finalizing the deal in early April.