Plus, this week’s new products, Mood boost in bev, Dirty Shirley acquired͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ 
 
 
BevnetMarch 20, 2026
DAILY BRIEFING: LITE EDITION
A preview of today's news & insights for the beverage industry.
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📰 Big Today In Beverage

The Uncle Nearest Roller Coaster

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Ferron Salniker

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The battle over the future of Uncle Nearest has taken a wild ridethis week alone added another chapter in a roller coaster that should serve as a cautionary tale for growing businesses. 

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🤝 Build Your 2026 Partner Roster

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Planning your next launch or scaling operations in 2026? The right partners can make all the difference.

BevNET’s 2026 Supplier & Services Guide is now live, bringing together trusted providers across formulation, packaging, ingredients, logistics, and more. This free resource makes it easy to compare options and find partners aligned with your goals.

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Free Guide: Formulating Functional Cold Brew That Scales

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🆕 This Week’s New Products

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🥤 Jel Sert is harnessing wicked New England energy with a Dunkin’ collab launch of functional Refreshers powders. Read the full story here

🌿 HRBL is introducing a few adaptogenic ingredients to U.S. consumers with its new functional drink launch. Read a full story on BevNET

💪 PRES cold brew is adding its name to the list of emerging protein coffee brands. Learn more about it on BevNET

👀 Armored Fresh introduced a new clean-label brand PIILK, powered by naturally fermented, non-GMO yeast protein. Check out all of the details here

We’ve rounded up the rest of this week’s new products and it seems beverage makers are gearing up for warmer weather with fruit-flavored launches. 

🆓 Check out the rest of this week’s new products on BevNET for free

 

👉🏼 The News You Need 👈🏼

🏃 Mood Support Outpaces Protein, Gut Health

Protein and digestive health may be top functions driving beverage growth, but mood support is now the fastest growing benefit in the sector, according to data firm SPINS.

Continue reading the full breakdown with Insider access

 

🍒 Sazerac Acquires Dirty Shirley

Sazerac has acquired Dirty Shirley, the ready-to-drink (RTD) vodka-spiked take on the classic Shirley Temple, the company announced Thursday.

Read the full analysis with Insider access

 

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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. Health-Ade Taps Lindsay Lohan to Broaden Kombucha’s Appeal

  2. Breakthru Beverage Enters Hemp Distribution

  3. Lifeway Closes 2025 With Q4 Growth; +18% Sales in FY

  4. How Mission Craft Cocktails Went From 2K To 80K Cases In One Year

  5. Bloom Unveils Protein, Soda Innovation at Expo West

 

🎙️ Taste Radio: David Got Sued. Success?

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David Protein just got hit with a lawsuit claiming its macros don’t add up, raising familiar questions about labeling, ingredients, and what happens when a fast-growing brand lands in the legal spotlight. 

The team breaks down the claims, why brands become litigation magnets, and whether consumers will care. Plus: a readout from Seafood Expo North America and Stiller Soda’s attention-grabbing social push.

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

 

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