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:

• Complete, unrestricted access to all of the insights from BevNET Live
• Why Thrive Market is “going dry”
• What’s new from Unwell, Slice, Maizly and more

Explore Insider Member Benefits

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

January 13, 14 & 15 - Auction firm Rabin Worldwide will conduct a 3-day online public auction for bottling equipment of the word’s leading cola bottling company. Sale includes surplus assets from a plant in American Canyon, CA, and a Krones Contiform Bloc Bottling System, located in Florida. Learn more

There is no one way to successfully run a beverage business but there are a lot of ways to fail. Avoiding pitfalls and figuring out how to evolve as a leader were central to the discussions at day two of BevNET Live Winter 2025.

Spindrift founder Bill Creelman and Gryphon Partners’ Ryan Fagan discussed how the two negotiated the flavored sparkling water brand’s acquisition. Creelman said Spindrift was at an inflection point, in need of stronger operating infrastructure to fuel its evolution from a $400 million company to a $1 billion brand.

There was “symmetry” in what Spindrift required for growth and the areas that Gryphon could support the brand, Creelman said. “What was great was that in some ways [Gryphon] was more excited and saw even more potential than we had kind of handicapped against ourselves.”

Later in the day, Suja Life CEO Maria Stipp spoke about the difficulties founders can have relinquishing the day-to-day operational role to a veteran leader.

While some beverage entrepreneurs are well-positioned to lead a brand during increasingly higher stages of growth, some founders must learn to recognize the limitations of their skill set and take on a role that plays to their strengths, like ideation and innovation.

“When there are more questions and answers, that's a signal that maybe you need a different set of eyes and ears on the business to try to help craft what's next,” she said.

Read the full recap on BevNET.

Ready-to-drink protein coffee Projo was crowned the champion of New Beverage Showdown 30, joining an elite cohort of well-known beverage brands like Health-Ade, Cann and Poppi that have previously claimed victory in the bi-annual pitch competition.

• Founded in 2019, Projo produces a range of protein-infused ready-to-drink coffees and instant coffee packets. 
• Its RTDs feature a dual-phase caffeine system that delivers fast activation from brewed coffee and extended release from coffee fruit extract.
• The judges praised Projo for tapping into the protein trend in a way that will stand the test of time and for its flavors. BevNET CEO John Craven said the liquid “tasted better than a lot of protein coffee drinks” and that “getting protein is a nice bonus.” 

🆓 Read the full story on BevNET.

We unveiled this year’s Best of Award winners during BevNET Live L.A. 2025, including the Brand and Person of the Year.

Every year, these awards honor the industry leaders, the brands, and the ideas that are laying the path toward the future of beverage through their innovation, creativity and fearlessness.

The winners represent a broadened beverage marketplace that is bringing underserved consumers into the fold and companies unafraid to take ownership in new and exciting trends.

Check out the full slate of this year’s winner.

Remedy Organics favorites like Berry Immunity, Super Chai Fuel, Matcha Fuel, and Cacao Essentials now deliver 20g of plant-based protein. These organic shakes combine protein & fiber with functional ingredients in an ultra-smooth, indulgent taste you’ll want to sip. Learn more

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

1. PepsiCo Announces ‘Strategic Review’ of North America Supply Chain Amid Investor Pressure
2. Monster, Coca-Cola Affirm Ties to Expand Category Reach, Drive Global Growth
3. Hiyo Lands Investment, Multi-Year Partnership with Live Nation
4. PepsiCo Reportedly Nears Settlement With $4B Investor
5. Zero Proof Playbook: John Wiseman of Curious Elixirs On A Decade In Adult Non-Alc

What you get with Insider: 

• In-depth reporting on BevNET.com and Nosh.com, not just the highlights
• Curated daily newsletters that cut through the noise 
• Data reports that allow you to benchmark, strategize and lead 
• Insider-only discounts on BevNET Live, Nosh Live, and job board postings

You don’t have access to these perks yet, but you could. Become a BevNET & Nosh Insider.

Distributor deductions can be overwhelming, but understanding them is essential to running a healthy CPG business. 

Jenna Gelgand, founder of Jave Insights, and Greg Esslinger of Floret, explain the mechanics behind deductions, the patterns that lead to costly mistakes, and the dispute paths that actually work. You’ll learn how distributors calculate and apply deductions, why certain fees are unavoidable while others are preventable, and how to manage relationships with supplier managers, buyers, and retailers when issues arise. 

Tune in here. Also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.