Spirits-based RTDs growth is remaining steady, as volumes were up across BevAlc for spirits, wine and cider according to an analysis of NielsenIQ data by Goldman Sachs Equity Research. The data offers a glimpse of fast moving categories like:

• Spirit-based RTDs slightly decelerated with sales up 33.7% in the two-week period, versus 34% for the four-weeks and 35% for the 12-weeks.
• Sales growth for wine-based RTDs like BuzzBallz and BeatBox were also up 37.1% for the two-week period, compared to 35.9% in the four-weeks and 30.8% in the 12-weeks.
• FMBs held about steady up 15.2% for two-weeks compared to 15.7% in the four-weeks and 15.1% for the 12-weeks. 

Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs analysts also shared their takeaways from the Beverage Digest Future Smarts conference, including that they “expect the continued blurring of the lines between alc and non-alc beverage companies moving forward, possibly on a more significant scale, given the larger total addressable market and incremental growth driver the segment represents.” 

Check back on BevNET later today for the full report!

Introduced in March, the Addressing Digestive Distress in Stomachs of Our Youth (or ADD SOY) Act was introduced to reform the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2023 (H.R.1147) which modifies the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) by broadening dairy milk options for  students. The ADD SOY Act allows NSLP participants to choose soy milk as an alternative.

❌ On Monday, the House Rules Committee denied debate on the ADD SOY Act in a party-line vote, effectively rejecting the amendment to offer a plant-based alternative upon request.

🥛 Backed by the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Asian and Pacific Islander Caucus, the ADD SOY Act addresses the higher prevalence of lactose intolerance among non-white communities while addressing food waste. 

😦 The bipartisan bill’s main backers — Reps. Troy Carter (D-La.) and Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) — cited a 2019 USDA report that estimates that the value of unopened, discarded milk in schools was about $300 million annually.

Two Trees, a spirits company that uses maturation technology to accelerate the natural aging process, has been acquired by a sustainable technology company. 

MDWerks is a provider of energy wave technologies, and is now getting into an arena of spirits technology that a few tech-focused spirit companies have also tinkered with: aging acceleration.

⏲️ Two Trees proprietary technology ages whiskey fast (hours compared to years), and uses less than 10% of the wood typically required to age bourbon in the company's barrels it produces on site in Fletcher, North Carolina. 

🪵 In 2021, the company began offering its services for other brands, in addition to its own lines, advertising the process as a method to reduce the bourbon industry’s carbon footprint and reduce the dependency on white oak, which is facing a looming shortage. 

🥃 We’re not sure what will become of Two Trees’ branded whiskey, but clearly MDWerks is banking on the high prices of source material and sustainability concerns to push traditional spirit industries into new technologies.

As certain voices have emphasized over a tricky past 12 months, the retreat from M&A by major strategics has opened the path for other savvy players to dip into CPG with measured, focused investments in high-growth segments -- the latest being Bain Capital’s move to acquire a “significant stake” in 1440 Foods alongside existing investor 4x4 Capital. 

💪🏼 1440 itself may not be a household name, but its suite of fitness-focused protein brands -- Pure Protein, MET-Rx, Body Fortress -- are well established in retailers like Target and Walmart across categories including RTDs, powders, bars and more. 

➡️ 1440 CEO Azania Andrews, appointed in 2022, and the rest of the current management team will remain intact, per a press release. 

💰 Bain Capital’s private equity portfolio includes some other CPG names, such as European company Valeo Foods and Dessert Holdings. 

As we all look back on the trends and highlights of 2023, restaurant delivery app Grubhub has released its annual retrospective, shining a light on what captured consumers’ eyes and stomachs this year.

📱The popular TikTok hashtag #dietcokebreak led to a breakout for in-office Diet Coke orders, rising 17% year-over-year. Diet Coke topped the chart for soda orders in 2023, followed – in order – by Coke, Sprite, Dr. Pepper and ginger ale.

🕠 Coffee’s not just for mornings anymore. Over 10 million coffee beverages were ordered after  5 p.m., with iced coffee winning out as consumers’ top choice. Other top coffee orders included caramel frappe, mocha frappe, cappuccino and good ol’ hot coffee.

🥛Plant-based dairy is still growing, but dairy came rearing back this year. When it comes to coffee orders, orders for dairy milk in coffee were up 20%. Overall among dairy milk purchases through Grubhub, whole milk emerged as consumers’ number one preference, followed by 2% milk and chocolate milk.

📊 Beyond beverage, other top trends for the year included a strong preference for spicy meals, over 600,000 consumers paired salads with a side of french fries, orders for pickles were up 89%, and Americans are finally embracing pineapple on pizza – Hawaiian Pizza orders grew 33%.

Discount grocery ecommerce platform Martie has raised $7 million in a new funding round backed by Upfront Ventures and Day One Ventures.

🌶️ Founded in 2021 by CEO Louise Fritjoffson, Martie works with brands to sell discounted overstock food, beverage and household products online via its website. The offerings range from large CPG brands like Kellogg’s and PepsiCo to next gen startups like Fly By Jing.

🛍️ The new financing will help Martie to expand its team, with bringing on more buyers being a top priority for the business.

📈 Fritjoffson said Martie is currently growing about 30% month-over-month while largely relying on word of mouth and limited social media marketing. The company will look to expand its marketing efforts with the new financing.

Read the full story here.

Acknowledging the existence of a fundraising round, but not much more, Nixie founder and CEO Nicole Dawes teased to Axios the arrival of fresh growth capital to her organic flavored sparkling water brand early next year. 

The entrepreneur was otherwise tight-lipped about further details, but from what we’re hearing, don’t be surprised to see Nixie among a group of steadily growing beverage brands announcing new investment in the early months of 2024. 

We are proud to present the first-ever winners of BevNET’s 2023 Best Spirits Awards, a group that is reshaping and reimagining consumers’ relationship with alcohol with style, personality and persistence. Read the story.