• Not Beer Launches Into THC Drinks
• Walmart Welcomes De La Calle
• Inside Tip Top’s Kindred Spirits Series
• Shake News And Dairy Demands
• Nombase Podcast: Costco Roadshow 101

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Cannabis beverage brand Uncle Arnie’s announced this morning it’s planning to nearly double its team from 40 to 75 employees after closing a $7.5 million Series A investment round co-led by Mindset Capital and Delta Emerald Ventures.

Joining the team as CMO is Brian Miesieski – a former marketing executive for SweetWater Brewing, High Rise Beverage, Diageo and AB InBev.

The raise was announced this morning and will pour “fuel on a fire that’s already blazing, with a management team ready to lead the category nationally,” said Mindset Capital CEO Aaron Edelheit in a statement.

Uncle Arnie’s said in a press release it has achieved nearly 100% YoY growth since its inception in 2020 and expects that trajectory to continue into 2026.

Previously, the brand had secured growth capital from Rubin and fellow Samuel Adams founder Lorenzo Lamadrid in June 2023. Former Ally Financial ALLY CEO Michael Carpenter and his son (and VC investor) Nick Carpenter also participated in that round.

Insiders can access all of the details and updates on this developing story.

After launching a satirical take on sparkling water last year, Not Beer has now entered the intoxicating hemp category as well. 

Vibed is the Dallas-based drink company’s new 10 mg THC line, available in 12 oz. slim cans in three varieties

• Not Beer founder Dillon Dandurand said he formulated the portfolio expansion quickly and is focusing on being a value-oriented brand.
• Value is not only derived from its price point ($3 per can for a 24-pack subscription), but also dosage and ingredient formulation such as its use of real fruit juice.
• Getting in earlier was important for Dandurand who sees white space as a grocery channel option in a category not yet dominated by large beverage strategics.

Learn why Not Beer believes its marketing approach can win in the hemp-derived THC set.

You’re not really a “modern soda” until you’re at Walmart, right? 

🆕 The big-box chain has staked its claim to the burgeoning set by giving it its own dedicated shelf with brands like Poppi, Zevia, Bloom and other, but that’s now expanding with “Modern Mexican Soda” in the guise of De La Calle, now available in over 700 store locations. 

🌱 From kids to adults to everyone in between, Sprouts is aiming to have all its bases covered. For the little ones, they’re bringing in flavored single-serve milks from New Beverage Showdown finalist Jubilee’s, while Mom & Dad can sip on 12 oz. cans of boozy kombucha from Luna Bay (older siblings can grab the brand’s growing Zero Percent line). 

👊 It’s a good week to be Dana White: not only are talks apparently underway for a mixed martial arts fight on the grounds of the White House next July 4th, but the UFC boss’s new energy drink brand (co-created with Anheuser-Busch and nutritional supplement maker 1st Phorm), is now available at 7-Eleven nationwide. 

🆓 Read up on all of the latest distribution gains on BevNET. 

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Want to encourage craft beer drinkers to pick up a craft ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail? Try offering more beer. 

Tip Top’s Kindred Spirits Series pairs the RTD brand’s expertise in cocktail recipes with the creative force of five breweries from across the country for limited time releases. 

• Each collaboration transforms one of Tip Top’s signature cocktails into a distinct beer release. 
• Hitting that 90s nostalgia mark, offerings include Holy City Brewing’s CosmoALE, a crisp blonde ale inspired by the Cosmopolitan, brewed with tart cranberry and citrus. 

⛓️ By collaborating with well-known breweries, Tip Top is aiming to build a clear bridge for craft beer drinkers to the RTD craft cocktail space. Linking to established breweries in their market market has also drummed up excitement among retailers as well, according to the brand. 

Read more on BevNET.

It’s Hump Day! Here’s a taste of the new drops and activations from the first half of the week.

🐄 Horizon Organic will now do business under the name Horizon Family Brands in order to better position the company grow its portfolio, including among its Horizon Organic milk and Walaby yogurt brands, per the announcement.  

⚡ Zero-sugar performance energy drink REIGN Total Body Fuel added seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker Luke Kuechly and All-Pro running back Nick Chubb to its roster of pro athlete brand ambassadors. 

🥛 Capitalizing on rising demand for GLP-1 companion products, high-protein yogurt brand Oikos introduced Oikos Fusion: a cultured dairy drink containing 23 grams of complete protein and 5 grams of prebiotic fiber per serving. 

💪 RAW Nutrition released a slate of new products, including its first ever flavored Creatine Monohydrate in Blue Raspberry, a chocolate-flavored Protein RTD and three new Essential Pre-Workout flavors (Cherry Limeade, Sour Grape and Hard to Kill). 

🍓 Ka’Chava unveiled its first new flavor in three years: Strawberry. The nutrition shake is made with freeze-dried organic strawberries and features 25 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber per serving. 

🆓 Check out the latest new product gallery on BevNET.

Want to know how to turn a Costco roadshow into a lasting spot on shelf?

In this episode of the Nombase Podcast, Gavin McCloskey of Love Corn, Leila Kairns of Heal Tea, and Carlene Carl of Rebel Solutions Group share insider tips to fast-track your Costco success and help you avoid costly mistakes.

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