Plus, product reviews, inside the Outlier’s Initiative, non-alc beverage sales͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ 
 
 
BevnetJanuary 02, 2026
DAILY BRIEFING: LITE EDITION
A preview of today's news & insights for the beverage industry.

🚨 What You're Missing Inside 🚨

You’re reading the Lite Edition, a snapshot of BevNET’s full Daily Briefing for Insider members.

Upgrade to BevNET & Nosh Insider, our all-in-one membership for exclusive insights, data reports, and on-demand CPG video courses, to get the full Daily Briefing and unlock Insider-only content such as:

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Insiders also gain access to the Newsletter Archive, including all previous Insider-only editions.

 

📰 Today's Top Story

🥃 Waterloo Gin Founder Turns to THC with Highpour

🥃 Waterloo Gin Founder Turns to THC with Highpour
Martín Caballero's profile picture

Martín Caballero

Managing Editor, BevNET

The team of experienced alcohol industry execs behind Highpour believe hemp-derived THC drinks should be running towards booze, rather than trying to avoid it. 

Insiders can access the full story.

 

⭐ Reviews: Recess and Dad Grass

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We are kicking off the year with a relaxation duo including a new holiday martini from Recess Zero Proof and low-dose cannabis-infused drinks from Dad Grass. 

📝 Check out all of our tasting notes here.  

To submit your beverage product to BevNET for review, click here. And to browse past reviews, check the archive here.

 

👉🏼 What You Need to Know 👈🏼

🔮 BevNET Live: Outlier Initiative’s Guide to Build for the Longhaul

Building to an exit is the main goal for many brands, but building a business to last can be far more important to long term success.

That’s the approach of The Outlier Initiative, whose founder Courtney O’Brien took the stage at BevNET Live in Los Angeles last month to outline how she helps brands focus on their core propositions, with long-term growth as the north star rather than smaller short-term gains.

Insiders can watch the full replay video.

 

📰 Trending Headlines

Here’s a look at leading headlines from around the beverage industry. Insiders get access to the full story.

  1. Barebells Doubles Down On Protein Drinks
  2. Lemon Perfect Nets Fresh $9.7M
  3. Hemp Brand Leaders Talk Battle Plans for 2026
  4. Skinergy Merges Beauty and Energy With Caffeine-Powered Collagen Drink
  5. Casket Maker Goes from Coffins to Caffeine with Energy Drink Launch
 

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🎙️ Taste Radio: How Ryan Phillippe Bets On Bevs

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On location at BevNET Live L.A. 2025, actor and investor Ryan Phillippe – attending alongside Pretty Tasty co-founder Scarlett Leung – explains why functional beverages, credible health benefits, and shelf-grabbing design are the factors that separate forgettable brands from the next breakout hit.

Tune into the episode here. Also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

 
That's all for today's Daily Briefing: Lite Edition. We'll be back in your inbox on Monday.

Stay in the know across food, beverage, beer and spirits. Explore BevNET’s full lineup of newsletters and never miss the latest news, insights and trends. 
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  • Spirits is a free, bi-weekly digest of spirits sector news
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Have a tip to share? Reach out to Adrianne (Assistant Managing Editor, Newsletters) at adeluca@bevnet.com.

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