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Is there anything Shohei Ohtani can’t do?

So far, it doesn’t seem like it. The LA Dodgers superstar has been terrorizing opposing teams across Major League Baseball for the last half-decade, and if he hasn’t peaked this year in winning his second-consecutive World Series title (along with back-to-back MVP honors), then we might as well put him in the Hall of Fame right now. 

That’s good news for Dodger fans, but also exactly the kind of high-profile ambassador that family-owned Japanese conglomerate Kowa hopes will jump start its bid to become a major player in the U.S. beverage market. 

Kowa made its U.S. debut in October with a pair of pre- and post-workout drinks developed alongside Ohtani and released under the Syncron brand, but more is coming as the company’s U.S. team expands.  

Insiders can access the full story.

This week’s review roundup sees two very different takes on teas: freshly brewed (Wizzie’s) and freshly buzzed (Uncle Arnie’s). 

📝 Check out our tasting notes.

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

Three brand founders and previous New Beverage Showdown champions – Ila Byrne of Parch, Scarlett Leung of Pretty Tasty and Susan Buckwalter Hartman of Recoup – sat down for a discussion at BevNET Live about what has worked for their companies, how to pivot and where the leaders see more opportunity in their respective categories. 

Insiders can watch the full video here.

Female-focused energy drink Gorgie welcomed influencer and “Dancing With the Stars” runner-up Alix Earle as a strategic investor today, bringing her 10 million-plus social media followers along.

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

1. How Soda’s Resurgence is Helping Bring Flavor, Focus to Sparkling Water
2. PepsiCo, Walmart Face Class Action After Unsealing of Dismissed FTC Suit
3. Lion Beverage Raises $150M Round Ahead of 2026 Expansion
4. Poppi’s Founders Tackle Why Team, Structure and Creativity Are the Keys to Success
5. Loonen Debuts Spring-Sourced Purified Water, Closes $6M Round

You’re seeing the surface. Insider members get the full story.

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This week on the podcast, Monica and Lukas discuss leadership changes at Coca-Cola and Kraft Heinz, Thrive Market’s decision to drop alcohol, and what the apparent closure of Believer Meats means for the future of cultured protein.

Click here to listen to this week’s episode. Also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

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