Best BevNETs Podcasts (2025)

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Hemp Bevs Take A Hit. Trip Keeps Calm & Raises $40M. 1:01:03

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3h ago1:01:03

1:01:03

A battle may be over, but has the war just begun? Baked into the deal to reopen the U.S. government is a surprising provision: a ban on intoxicating hemp products. What does this mean for the future of THC-infused beverages? The hosts weigh in. We also sit down with Trip co-founder Olivia Ferdi, whose fast-growing relaxation beverage brand recently…

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Mark Anthony President David Barnett on White Claw's Consistency 31:06

11h ago31:06

31:06

Flavored malt beverages (FMBs) and hard seltzers have had a bright red 2025, but those declines haven't fazed Mark Anthony Brands, which continues to find growth in the segments where others have faltered. In this episode of the Brewbound Podcast, Mark Anthony Brands president David Barnett details how the bev-alc company is "doing better than most…

1
The Glass Advantage: Differentiation in the RTD Beverage Market 37:07

8h ago37:07

37:07

With new regulations expanding the use of glass in spirits-based RTDs and growing consumer demand for clean, quality packaging, glass has reemerged as a strategic advantage. Join the Glass Packaging Institute, Jimmy Bruton of Via Carota, and Sandstrom Partners to learn why glass is non-toxic, inert, and the most sustainable material, especially whe…

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How Freestyle Snacks Won Over The 'Sharks' 33:46

14m ago33:46

33:46

She made olives fun — and the "Sharks" noticed. Nikki Seaman, the founder and CEO of Freestyle Snacks, landed a $300K deal on "Shark Tank" after turning her pandemic frustration over shuttered olive bars into a modern snack brand. In this episode, Nikki explains how she disrupted the "trusty but dusty" olive aisle with bright packaging, tantalizing…

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Lessons From Caulipower's Exit, With Padma & 'Popcorn' in Focus 33:06

3h ago33:06

33:06

What do the hosts make of Caulipower's fitting exit, a tennis icon's investment in a corn-free (!) popcorn startup, and Padma Lakshmi's partnership with a particularly spicy CPG brand? It's a full serving of Taste Radio, complete with a taste-test of high-fiber gummy candy and a $20, creatine-packed cereal. Show notes: 0:25: Stacking, Bro. A Plant-…

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Elevator Talk: Pantry Gems, Berski, Benni Pops, KiuKiu, Superlova 1:06:44

22h ago1:06:44

1:06:44

The latest episode of Taste Radio's Elevator Talk spotlights innovative leaders from Pantry Gems, Berski, Benni Pops, KiuKiu and Superlova. In this installment, founders and CEOs introduce their brands and share recent company updates and milestones. This week's special co-host is Mia Medina, the founder and CEO of Gather Brands. She offers insight…

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High Rise Founder Matt Skinner's National Ambitions for Intoxicating Hemp Beverage Brand 38:52

18h ago38:52

38:52

High Rise Beverage co-founder Matt Skinner has built a coastal-themed brand in the Southeast but his ambitions extend across the nation. The Charleston, South Carolina-headquartered intoxicating hemp beverage brand is now available in 22 states, and Skinner sees an opportunity to go even bigger. "We're in the space of being a nationwide brand at th…

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How to Build a Brand When the Rules Keep Changing 47:21

2d ago47:21

47:21

It's hard to build a brand when the rules keep changing, and few categories test founders like the emerging cannabis beverage space. Hear how Anna Baskin, co-founder of hightail., a newly launched low-dose beverage designed for women, and Angus Rittenburg, co-founder and CEO of Wynk, an established brand known for its consistent quality and innovat…

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Why Discipline Is Everything For Something & Nothing 49:52

3d ago49:52

49:52

Every founder dreams of breaking the rules. Few do it with such quiet confidence as Oliver Dixon, the co-founder of better-for-you soda brand Something & Nothing. In this episode, Olly tells the story of how a creative experiment in a London bar became a category-disrupting soda brand now expanding rapidly across the U.S. He explains how his design…

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Building Community & Knowledge: CCBA's Kelsey McQuaid-Craig on the California Craft Beer Summit 5:22

3d ago5:22

5:22

In this Brewbound Podcast interview, host Ray Latif speaks with Kelsey McQuaid-Craig, Executive Director of the California Craft Brewers Association (CCBA), about what brewers can expect at this year's California Craft Beer Summit. McQuaid-Craig outlines the event's robust educational programming, featuring three breakout tracks—technical brewing, …

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Burnin' Dollars? Recess' $30M Raise & Ben Stiller's Soda. 35:03

7d ago35:03

35:03

The hosts break down Recess' $30 million raise, pound shots of olive oil, and wonder if Ben Stiller's nostalgic soda brand can make it in middle America. Oh, and someone bottled a hot sauce wrapped in a real $100 bill. Show notes: 0:25: Take Your Best Shot. Deadlines, People. Pivot & Win. A Benny With Every Bottle. Ben's Beer. – The show opens with…

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Lester Jones on Beer's 'Moneyball' Play; Carbliss Founders on Their Under-the-Radar Heater 50:32

13d ago50:32

50:32

Bars, restaurants and social gathering spaces are beer's "moneyball" opportunity, National Beer Wholesalers Association VP of analytics and chief economist Lester Jones shares during the latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast. Jones is the first of two interviews this week. Adam and Amanda Kroener, the founders of spirits-based cocktail brand Carb…

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What Investors Really Want to See When They Look at Your Data 41:42

15d ago41:42

41:42

Investors all want to see your data, but how and what you present can make or break the deal. In this episode, Edricco Reina of BeyondRoots Growth Partners and Taylor Urlich of Whipstitch Capital break down exactly what investors look for and how to make your numbers tell the right story. Taylor shares Whipstitch's standard data request list, givin…

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Her Recipe for a Multimillion-Dollar Brand? Start With Dough. 36:29

10d ago36:29

36:29

Doughlicious is proof that product obsession and strategic growth can make a small brand big. In this episode, Kathryn Bricken, the founder and CEO of Doughlicious, shares how she turned a London-based cookie dough startup into a global frozen dessert powerhouse now in 6,000 U.S. stores, including Whole Foods, Target, and Kroger. Kathryn talks abou…

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Unboxing Opportunity & Innovation Here… And There 18:33

14d ago18:33

18:33

The hosts unpack curated snack boxes featuring innovative products from emerging food and beverage brands – from sourdough bites and zaatar crackers to whiskey pecans and candied pistachios. They also share insights on how founders can save big and stand out at BevNET's upcoming events in L.A. Show notes: 0:25: Back Home, Back To L.A. Register, Att…

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Threes Brewing's Josh Penney on the Lager Renaissance and Craft's Resilience 47:43

24d ago47:43

47:43

One thing Josh Penney noticed after moving to Brooklyn from Los Angeles late last fall – aside from markedly less sunny weather – was a broader diversity in beer styles across brewery taprooms. "It seemed to be a wider range of things that were really appealing to everybody," he said. "Because out on the West Coast, you might have a robust porter, …

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Brain Support: The Hottest Trend in Functional Formulation 44:52

24d ago44:52

44:52

Brain health is emerging as one of the biggest functional trends in food and beverage, as consumers look for ways to support focus, clarity, and long-term cognitive function through what they eat and drink. In this episode, Sephora Noormand of MOSH, Katie Emerson of Kyowa Hakko (makers of Cognizin®), Austin Holt of MacroCap Labs, and Josh Schall of…

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What Happens After You Sell to Starbucks? For George Howell, Everything. 26:48

17d ago26:48

26:48

George Howell may have sold his company to Starbucks — but he never sold out. A pioneer of the specialty coffee movement, George began his journey in 1975 with the founding of The Coffee Connection, a beloved Boston-based chain that helped redefine what American coffee could be. Nearly two decades later, Starbucks acquired the company – but George …

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Is THC In Target A Tipping Point? Finally, Fiber Is Sexy. 29:36

21d ago29:36

29:36

Is Target about to normalize THC drinks? The team unpacks a potentially game-changing move by the retail giant, and what it could mean for the future of cannabis beverages. They unpack the regulatory roadblocks and why the move might be a tipping point. Plus, why PepsiCo is calling fiber "the next protein," and a look at fresh CPG innovations, incl…

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Wrapping Up 2025 GABF & NBWA Annual Convention; Plus, Rebecca Maisel Interview 33:59

22d ago33:59

33:59

The Brewbound team recaps the 2025 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) and the start of the National Beer Wholesalers Association's (NBWA) Annual Convention and trade show, on the latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast, recorded in Las Vegas. Jess and Zoe share their experiences at GABF, including which legacy craft brewery brought the Party Bomb;…

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Elevator Talk: All Día, Grisly's Cosmic, Sipli, Olia, Birdie 1:10:54

22d ago1:10:54

1:10:54

The latest episode of Taste Radio's Elevator Talk spotlights innovative leaders from All Día, Grisly's Cosmic, Sipli, Olia and Birdie. In this installment, founders and CEOs introduce their brands and share recent company updates and milestones. This week's special co-host is Andrew Guard, the founder of Right Coast Brands. He offers insightful que…

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The Hidden Cost of Waiting: Luxent, Lemon Perfect, and BERO on Building the Right Systems for Growth 39:36

27d ago39:36

39:36

Brandon Lennox of Lemon Perfect, Neha Soi of BERO, and Vivian Keena of Luxent share how timing, technology, and the right partners can define a brand's growth curve. They open up about scaling challenges, system decisions, and the pivotal role an ERP like NetSuite played in transforming their operations. From manual chaos to structured efficiency, …

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Straightaway 'Runs Its Own Race.' It's Why Costco & Shake Shack Came Calling. 37:31

1M ago37:31

37:31

In a category flooded with fast-followers and flashy branding, Straightaway Cocktails is taking a radically different path: embracing the hard way. In this episode, founder and CEO Cy Cain reveals how the Portland-based brand is carving out a distinct space in the booming ready-to-drink category by prioritizing bar-quality cocktails crafted from in…

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Innovation in Beer Distribution: NBWA's Dave Christman on Tech, Data & The Future 5:01

27d ago5:01

5:01

In this Brewbound Podcast interview, Ray Latif speaks with David Christman, VP of State Affairs at the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA), about how distributors are embracing innovation to stay competitive and efficient in a rapidly evolving market. With more than two decades at NBWA, Christman explains how the association supports its m…

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How Fiber, Gen X & Juice Shots Factor In The Future Of CPG 1:09:49

29d ago1:09:49

1:09:49

Fresh off an exhilarating meetup in London, the team shines a spotlight on the standout brands that captivated attendees at the event. They delve into how fiber-forward brands are reshaping their categories and why Gen X might be your brand's unexpected secret weapon. This episode also revisits insightful interviews from Taste Radio's San Diego mee…

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Tonya Cornett on Her Journey from the World's Largest Brewer to One of the Smallest 52:19

29d ago52:19

52:19

Tonya Cornett thought she would end her career at 10 Barrel Brewing. She had joined the Bend, Oregon-based craft brewery in 2012, piled up competition medals for her beers and created a following at the brewery. She thrived as the brewery's R&D brewmaster before and after its 2014 sale to Anheuser-Busch InBev (A-B). But then Tilray Brands acquired …

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Some Brands Are Making a Fortune on Faire. Here's How They Do It. 53:29

1M ago53:29

53:29

Faire is a wholesale platform that connects brands with sellers, and it's becoming one of the most effective ways for CPG founders to grow, scale, and build lasting relationships with small and independent retailers. Joining the conversation are Kyle Hughes, who leads retailer partnerships at Faire, and Caroline Grace, founder of Product and Prospe…

1
Mission, Never Accomplished. The Relentless Evolution Of Forager Project. 33:43

1M ago33:43

33:43

What kind of founder drives a U-Haul full of perishable product through the desert at 3 A.M.… and calls it progress? That's the kind of relentless, purpose-driven hustle behind Forager Project, the plant-based food and beverage company reshaping what dairy-free can taste and feel like. In this episode, co-founders Stephen Williamson and JC Hanley o…

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Tasty & Targeted. How U.K. Brands Nail Functional Appeal. 24:01

1M ago24:01

24:01

On location in London, the hosts delve into emerging trends and spotlight the brands and entrepreneurs driving innovation in the food and beverage space. Their discussion offers a look at what's gaining traction across the pond… and what may soon be making its way to the U.S. market. Show notes: 0:25: Dine & Dash. Feisty Missions. Not Your Father's…

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Elevator Talk: Statesman Marinades, Harlem Baking Company, Häppy Candy, OKO, Sun Ghee 1:04:02

1M ago1:04:02

1:04:02

The latest episode of Taste Radio's Elevator Talk spotlights innovative leaders from Statesman Marinades, Harlem Baking Company, Häppy Candy, OKO and Sun Ghee. In this installment, founders and CEOs introduce their brands and share recent company updates and milestones. This week's special co-host isRifle Hughes, the co-founder of Integral CPG. He …

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How Surfside Will Ride The Wave This Fall 51:38

1M ago51:38

51:38

How does an ready-to-drink (RTD) brand that was built on the beach translate to other seasons? Surfside, Stateside Vodka's hard iced tea and lemonade canned cocktail brand, is betting big on sports this fall. Stateside co-founders CEO Clem Pappas and president Matt Quigley joined the Brewbound Podcast to discuss the brand's meteoric rise, its partn…

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The Real Guide to SAFE Notes, Angels, and Crowdfunding: Lessons from Painterland Sisters' Seven-Figure Seed Round 43:59

1M ago43:59

43:59

Painterland Sisters has gone from maxing out credit cards on a family dairy farm in Pennsylvania to closing a seven-figure seed round and landing national distribution. Co-founders Stephanie and Hayley Painter share how they built the brand, navigated the shock of a withdrawn bank loan, and raised from both hundreds of community investors and insti…

1
Can A 'Girl' Revitalize An Industry? She's On Her Way. 43:08

1M ago43:08

43:08

Hurray's Girl Beer isn't just another craft brand. It's a calculated rebellion against an industry stuck in the past. In this episode, Hurray's founder Ray Biebuyck joins Taste Radio editor Ray Latif and Brewbound managing editor Jess Infante to share her vision for a beer brand that doesn't just challenge convention, it openly mocks it. Witty, una…

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Milk, Money & Momentum. Slate's Rise & A Bay Area Buzz. 29:36

2M ago29:36

29:36

Ten years ago, the idea of canned milk powering a fast-growing brand might have seemed far-fetched. And yet, Slate – which recently announced $23 million in fresh funding – has proven just how powerful a novel concept can be. What can CPG founders – and the industry at large – learn from its rise? The hosts also look back on an unforgettable meetup…

1
AleSmith Turns 30 with Party Tricks, Espresso Martinis and Big Contract Volumes 50:14

1M ago50:14

50:14

AleSmith is celebrating its 30th anniversary with momentum behind new products – in and out of beer – and a growing contract brewing business. In this episode of the Brewbound Podcast, AleSmith president Brandon Richards shares how the San Diego craft brewery has evolved to meet drinkers' needs with new products while fortifying its business by bre…

1
Co-Man Risk Management: What You Don't Know Could Hurt You 45:29

2M ago45:29

45:29

After Flow Water's recent foreclosure left many co-packing customers scrambling, the need for smart co-manufacturing risk management has never been clearer. Brad Woodgate, founder of Joyburst, The No Sugar Company, and Wellnx Life Sciences, joins Brandon Hernandez, co-founder of Whole Brain Consulting, to share how founders can protect their brands…

1
'Whisper' Success Into Existence. An Industry Icon Shows The Way. 57:35

2M ago57:35

57:35

What separates beverage brands that break out from those that burn out? In this episode, industry veteran Ken Sadowsky – often known by his sobriquet, the "Beverage Whisperer" – offers a behind-the-scenes look at what's working (and what's not) in the fiercely competitive drinks industry. Ken, who is the executive director of the Northeastern Indep…

1
Protein Is Everywhere. But Does It Belong Everywhere? 33:31

2M ago33:31

33:31

The hosts dive into the sustained wave of protein-infused consumer products – from popcorn to mashed potatoes – and debate whether the market is approaching "protein fatigue" or merely scratching the surface of a macro trend driven more by marketing than science. They also recap Taste Radio's high-energy meetup in San Diego, spotlighting several ne…

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Elevator Talk: FUZZEE, Rise Yaupon, Släcka, Lovely Bunch, Nordic Tree Water 1:07:34

2M ago1:07:34

1:07:34

The latest episode of Taste Radio's Elevator Talk spotlights innovative leaders from FUZZEE, Rise Yaupon, Släcka, Lovely Bunch and Nordic Tree Water. In this installment, founders and CEOs introduce their brands and share recent company updates and milestones. This week's special co-host is Dr. Sebastian Dreher, the Venture Manager - North America …

1
The Summer Scans Turned Unpretty 33:54

2M ago33:54

33:54

On the latest Brewbound Podcast, the Brewbound team closes the book on a lackluster selling season. Brewbound senior reporter Zoe Licata breaks down the final round of off-premise data, with a letdown from the historically sales boosting summer beer occasions. Zoe along with Brewbound editor Justin Kendall and managing editor Jessica Infante also r…

1
You Know THC and CBD. Meet the Cannabinoid Behind the Next Big Buzz. 38:47

2M ago38:47

38:47

THC and CBD fueled the early growth of the cannabis beverage world, but today an expanding palette of cannabinoids is giving formulators license to design experiences that build a feeling and create distinct mood states. Cannabis brand FABRIC's Tom Eddleston, Magic Cactus founder Jonny Locarni and SōRSE Technology's Michael Flemmens explore how min…

1
How Halfday Went From Dorm Room To Disrupting A $9B Category 28:19

2M ago28:19

28:19

What does it take to reinvent a legacy category for the modern consumer? In this episode, Mike Lombardo, the co-founder of better-for-you iced tea brand Halfday, shares the journey of transforming a college side hustle into a fast-growing challenger brand. Fueled by a mission to improve gut health without sacrificing flavor, Mike and his co-founder…

1
Chomps, Coffee & Cocktails. CPG's Winners Are Culturally Relevant. 1:13:44

2M ago1:13:44

1:13:44

Tips from trailblazing brands, strategies to captivate venture capitalists, the explosive growth of the RTD coffee category and much more. This packed episode features highlights from Taste Radio's Chicago meetup and an in-depth look at Nutrabolt's $200 million investment in Bloom Nutrition. The hosts also dive into the next wave of coffee innovati…

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BrewDog USA's Eric Franco on Gaining Greater Autonomy and Getting Focused 54:44

2M ago54:44

54:44

Less has been more with BrewDog's U.S. business over the last year and a half. On the latest episode of the Brewbound Podcast, BrewDog USA chief sales and marketing officer Eric Teodoro Franco explains how the business has "done fewer things better," leading with a focus on its core brands, which helped the brand increase volume 26% last year, to 8…

1
Santatera Invests in Flavor, Not Fads. Here's What They Look For. 41:40

2M ago41:40

41:40

Alejandro González, managing partner of Redwood Group and Santatera Capital, explains how the fund chooses which food and beverage brands to back. He outlines why flavor matters most, what healthy margins look like, and how distribution drives growth. González also shares how Santatera supports founders with research, recruiting, governance, and su…

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'Shameless' CPG: Why William H. Macy Is All In On Woody Creek 23:51

2M ago23:51

23:51

When Oscar-nominated actor William H. Macy joined Woody Creek Distillers, it wasn't a Hollywood deal – it was a neighborhood one. Living just down the road from the founders in Woody Creek, Colorado, Bill – known for starring roles in the hit TV series "Shameless" and iconic films "Fargo" and "Boogie Nights" – became a true partner in the craft dis…

1
Niche To National. The Brands Finding A Better Way To Scale. 30:49

2M ago30:49

30:49

From college campuses to cannabis aisles, this episode explores how emerging CPG brands are carving out space in crowded categories. The hosts unpack Better Sour's rapid retail expansion – including an exclusive Sprouts flavor and placement on United Airlines – while also spotlighting Toom's strategic refresh that helped turn a niche garlic dip int…