“Walked out this morning, I don't believe what I saw. Hundred billion bottles washed up on the shore.” Those lyrics from the hit song “Message In A Bottle” by The Police probably touched a nerve with Josh White. The young British DJ had become increasingly dismayed by the sight of throngs of single-serve plastic water bottles appearing on exotic beaches.  As he considered the problem, one solution came to the forefront: aluminum. Josh is the co-founder and CEO of Cano Water, a trailblazing water company based in the U.K. Launched in 2014, it was one of the first brands to sell water in me ..read more

Collaborations – the good, the strange, and the wow – anchor this episode. The hosts debate whether a tomato-based wine co-created by Pizza Hut can help change the fortunes of a sluggish industry and discuss an unusual, but effective, marketing campaign featuring a partnership between sex workers and non-alcoholic spirits. This episode features an interview with Bella Hughes and Semira Nikou, the co-founders of better-for-you gummy brand Better Sour, which recently collaborated with Disney on a new product that celebrates the release of the movie “Moana 2.” Show notes: 0:25: Haven’t Seen It. J ..read more

Straight talk can be hard to come by. Speak with Taylor Foxman, however, and the veteran beverage executive and industry advisor will give you the unvarnished truth, or, as she does in this episode, declare something an outright falsehood. Taylor has over a decade of experience in beverage alcohol and beyond, having worked for globally recognized wine, beer and spirit companies including Pernod Ricard and Gruppo Campari.  She’s currently the founder and CEO of The Industry Collective, a leading beverage and cannabis advisory firm and is also a board member/board advisor with investment fi ..read more

Luke Boase launched Lucky Saint in 2018, but he says the brand’s potential for an iconic future has always been top of mind. As the leading dedicated non-alcoholic beer brand in the U.K., Lucky Saint is sold in over 10,000 points of distribution in the country, including more than 1,000 pubs and restaurants. That number includes its own bar in London, aptly named The Lucky Saint, which operates at the base of a building that also houses the company’s office. Last year, the company raised a £10m Series A round that included funding from VC firm JamJar Investments. Led by a mission to become “th ..read more

Innovative protein brands and proactive meetings. The hosts advocate for both in this episode, which also features an interview with Trey Zoeller, the founder of pioneering whiskey maker Jefferson’s Bourbon, a brand recognized by and awarded for its Ocean Aged At Sea expression, a whiskey matured on ships that travel around the world. Show notes: 0:25: Bag It. Face To Face > Email. Take A Minute. The Liver! Fridge Pop. Beard Scoby. – Less than three weeks away from BevNET’s winter events, Ray gets agitated while sharing some important travel tips and the hosts explain why meeting John Forak ..read more

Most Americans eat cold bread. Ismail Salhi and Johanna Hartzheim are changing that dynamic one loaf at a time. Ismail and Johanna are the founders of Wildgrain, a subscription-based service that ships boxes of par-baked frozen sourdough, pastries and hand-cut pasta to customers across the country. The married couple and business partners came to the U.S. after years of living in Paris and wanted to give people access to the same warm loaves of artisanal breads, flaky croissants and chewy dinner rolls they ate daily in France.  Wildgrain partners with local bakers across the U.S. to produ ..read more

The world needs plant-based spam. Nootropic beverages will make a comeback in 2025. T-shirts are the best brand swag. It’s buy-or-sell time, and the hosts transact in opinions. This episode also features interviews with the leaders of two fast-growing U.K.-based CPG companies: Jack Scott, the co-founder of flavored sparkling water brand Dash, and Kathryn Bricken, the founder of Doughlicious, a brand of frozen cookie dough and gelato bites. Show notes: 0:25: No Results. We’re Available. Mindcraft. Un-Appealing. Brand Brush. Call It A Comeback. Like, Thanks. – Election Day has come and gone, but ..read more

Olivia Ferdi is obsessed with the details.  The co-founder of Trip, a U.K.-based brand of lightly sparkling functional beverages intended to help people relax, Olivia says that a passion for the particulars is a key reason why Trip is the fastest-growing soft drink brand in the U.K. and currently preparing for a major expansion of its retail presence in the American market. Trip debuted in 2019 and markets two product lines: one infused with CBD and adaptogens and the other, called Mindful Blend, is made with Lion’s Mane, ashwagandha, L-theanine and magnesium. The brand is sold in over 30 ..read more

Another episode, another billion-dollar deal. In this case, the buyer (KDP), if not the brand (Ghost), is somewhat surprising. The hosts have their say. They also highlight a couple spicy collaborations, but are divided on one of them. We also speak with Lexy Prosszer, an investment principal at U.K.-based venture capital firm Btomorrow Ventures, which is focused on investments in innovative, functional brands. Show notes: 0:25: Who Bailed Mike Out? Elektra x Nosh. Scary Deal. A Wonky Pad. Where’s My Order? Keep Crunching. – Mike made it out of the can in time for a big announcement about Nosh ..read more

Ben Branson is not the kind of person you’d find at a cocktail party. In fact, he loathes socializing. And, yet, he’s deeply invested in its future. Ben is best known as the founder of Seedlip, the pioneering nonalcoholic spirit brand that was at the forefront of the now burgeoning category of zero proof beverages.  In 2019, Ben sold a majority stake of Seedlip to beverage alcohol conglomerate Diageo, which, at the time, described the brand as “a global drinks giant of the future.” While Ben is still a shareholder in Seedlip and continues to operate as part of its team, he’s set his sight ..read more