Brown-Forman CEO Lawson Whiting to Retire as Successor Search Begins
Brown-Forman president and CEO Lawson Whiting will retire, effective once the company names a successor, the Jack Daniel's parent announced today.
Headlines
Distribution: Something & Nothing Adds H-E-B to U.S. Footprint
Premium soda startup Something & Nothing can now be found in over 200 H-E-B locations across Texas, launching an exclusive 4-pack format in the retailer for the first time in the U.S. market.
Goodness Of Hemp Act Seeks To Unite Industry Ahead Of November Ban
The Goodness of Hemp Act is a forthcoming bill that would unite some industry stakeholders and open a regulatory pathway for hemp products.
Lessons from Founders Who Stay with the Business
Finding a decade-old, growing brand still led by its founder can be harder than one might think. But when you do, you’ll find a founder who is not only dedicated to their business, but capable of evolving and adapting to the ever-changing demands of the beverage industry.
Taste Radio: AI Is Changing How Brands Are Built. It Can’t Build Yours.
AI is rewriting the rules of product discovery, and brands that aren't optimized for algorithms risk becoming invisible. The Taste Radio team explores how AI is reshaping retail and marketing, unpacks a proposed class action lawsuit over protein labeling claims, and explains why early-stage founders should build with mainstream consumers – not just niche audiences – in mind.
New Beverages: Black Cherry BREZ, Tropical Protein, A2 Lattes and a Lowkey Coffee
Protein and hemp are all over this week's new product gallery thanks to launches from Lumen, Premier Protein, Javvy, BREZ and others, but hydration is also in the mix with innovation from C4 and Waiakea.
As Uncle Nearest Sale Nears, Receiver Alleges Lender Ignored ‘Red Flags’
The receiver overseeing Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey case is accusing Farm Credit Mid-America of negligence, after the lender allegedly ignored years of red flags while a rogue CFO falsified financial reports, misappropriated funds for personal purchases and increased the whiskey brand's credit line from $35 million to $67 million.
People: BellRing Brands Names Next CEO
BellRing Brands, the maker of Premier Protein and Dymatize, has named Snak King chief executive Michael Axelrod as the successor to outgoing head Darcy Davenport, assuming the role of president and CEO effective July 29.
Spirits Distribution: RNDC Fallout Squeezes Suppliers; SGWS Cuts Jobs; Suppliers Jump to Reyes
The near-complete wind-down of Republic National Distributing Company’s (RNDC) national operations is sending shockwaves through the three-tier system – triggering a wave of transitions and emboldening distributors to delay payments, according to suppliers. Meanwhile, the country's largest spirits distributor has cut staff.
PepsiCo Reports Beverage Volume Declines, Snack Gains in Q2; CEO: ‘It All Depends on the Price of Gas’
The food and beverage giant rode gains outside the U.S. that pushed organic revenue up 2.4% in the quarter, with net revenue up 6.4%. But PepsiCo chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta acknowledged that the ongoing conflict in Iran and its subsequent effects on global gas prices have accelerated a change in consumer behavior.
Review: Bee Pop Has Us Buzzing
Meet Bee Pop, a new beverage concept that offers a smart middle ground between sparkling water and better-for-you soda.
Cann Goes THC-Free In Anticipation Of November Hemp Ban
As the November hemp ban inches closer, Cann is the latest cannabev brand to launch its a THC-free drink line.
More Than Stars & Stripes: Branding Gurus Break Down How to Do ‘Americana’ Effectively
As Americana becomes increasingly popular, brands face a key challenge: How do they create something that feels real and resonant rather than simply wrapping a product in red, white and blue?
Distribution Playbook: Where Functional Beverage Growth Is Really Happening – Calebrate June 2026
The June 2026 report from Calebrate demonstrates that success is increasingly driven by distribution strategy rather than product innovation alone, with each functional beverage category following a distinct retail and geographic expansion path.