Plus, Laird’s transformative quarter, Danone sells Lifeway stake, Nutpods CEO͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ 
 
 
BevnetMay 18, 2026
DAILY BRIEFING: LITE EDITION
A preview of today's news & insights for the beverage industry.
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Better Pricing, More Variety: Non-Alc Wine Seeks A Spark

Better Pricing, More Variety: Non-Alc Wine Seeks A Spark
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Lukas Southard

Senior Reporter

Adult non-alcoholic (ANA) wine is taking a long time to mature.

Running the Numbers: Alcohol-free wine sales continue to grow – up 19.6% in the 52-week period ending March 28 – but the pace has slowed from 23.9% in March 2025.

  • Case volume sales also retreated slightly from 14.3% in the 52-weeks, compared to 16.3% in the same period the previous year.

The normalization of non-alcoholic alternatives has been a boon to the beer segment, but its more refined grape-based cousins have struggled to reach the same heights of consumer adoption.

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👉🏼 The News You Need 👈🏼

👋 Danone, Lifeway Go Their Own Ways

Danone is officially getting out of bed with kefir maker Lifeway after multiple attempts to acquire the company (and, at one point, suing the brand).

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🥛  Nutpods CEO Departs

Nutpods has brought on an interim leader after the departure of CEO Matt Witherell last month, BevNET has learned.

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📰 Trending Headlines

Here’s a look at leading headlines from around the beverage industry. Go beyond the headlines with Insiders access.

  1. Laird Leadership Says Superfood Roll-Up Strategy Is ‘Just the Beginning’

  2. Jones Soda’s ‘Fallout’ Collab Leads to Radiant Q1 Earnings

  3. Muscle Milk Reformulates RTD Line with Ultrafiltered Milk, Cleaner Labels

  4. RNDC Exit Shakes Up Partnerships

  5. RTD Cocktails Outperform as Total Bev-Alc Declines Moderate Slightly

 

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🔀 Monday Moves

Retail Rollouts 

Here’s a taste of the products moving around the industry to start off your week.

🎮 T-Pain’s 2 oz. nootropic energy shot Good Game is now available in 637 Murphy USA locations, with plans to add another 800 locations. Check out the press release

🍄 RYZE Superfoods is expanding its assortment deeper into Target less than six months after its retail debut with the mushroom coffee maker adding in new instant lattes. Read the full story

🏋️ Gym Weed’s new clear protein drink Gym Soda is partnering with Big Geyser in the New York City metro area, targeting 4,000 doors by the end of the summer. Click here for more

🍋‍🟩 Sanzo will now be found in the seasonal beverage and snack aisle as it seeks “everyday” distribution status at Target. Get all of the details

Don’t miss a distribution update. Check out all of the latest gains on BevNET

 
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