Vital Pharmaceuticals (VPX), the maker of Bang Energy, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

A jury sided with Monster Energy Co. in its false advertising lawsuit against Bang producer Vital Pharmaceuticals (VPX) in California federal court this week, awarding the company nearly $293 million in damages.

Global spirits conglomerate Diageo has acquired premium cold brew coffee liqueur brand Mr Black, in which it previously held a minority stake, the company announced today. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Cannabis beverage producer Cann announced today it has acquired Toronto-based CBD drink maker Sweet Reason, marking the company’s first acquisition as it seeks to build out a platform for alcohol alternatives. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

As consumers continue to cut their alcohol intake and embrace zero proof alternatives, startup retailer Sèchey is working to ensure that shoppers looking for non-alc beer, wine and spirits don’t get hung out to dry.

Last week, many THC-infused cannabis beverage brand leaders received long awaited recognition in the mainstream press when the New York Times ran a feature covering the surging popularity of the emerging category in legal markets. But the piece, titled “Weed Drinks Are a Buzzy Alcohol Substitute. But Are They Safe?” didn’t sit right with many… Read more »

Less than 24 hours after reports began circulating of a potential deal, Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) is distancing itself from a proposed acquisition of Bang Energy.

Last week, low-alc aperitif brand Haus announced that it would shut down after a funding round fell through, leaving the company without the necessary cash on hand to continue operating. But rather than filing for federal Chapter 7 or Chapter 11 bankruptcy protections, the California-based brand instead looked to a different type of common law bankruptcy procedure known as an Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors, or an “ABC.”

Barrel Labs, the newly formed parent company of DTC customizable beverage brand ELIQS, announced on Wednesday it has closed a $5.7 million seed round that will support its expansion into three business platforms intended to help it become a “customization platform for the entire beverage industry.”

Haus, a California-based maker of low-ABV aperitifs, is winding down its business and seeking a buyer after the lead investor in its Series A round dropped out during the closing process, leaving the company without the necessary cash on hand to continue operations.

Spirits company The CoreBev Group has partnered with cold brew coffee brand RISE Brewing Co. for its latest canned cocktail launch, Moonlight Barista.

CELSIUS’ leadership believes the company’s new distribution partnership with PepsiCo will help increase its distribution footprint by around 40% over the next 12 months as the Florida-based energy drink brand eyes new channels and global growth.

After a year-and-a-half of high tension and muted sales, Bang Energy says it has officially ended its distribution partnership with PepsiCo. The Florida-based brand, a subsidiary of VPX Pharmaceuticals, announced in a brief press release today that “all disputes with PepsiCo have been fully settled and resolved” effective immediately and that the brand will return to DSD distribution through a number of new partnerships.

Monster Beverage Corp. plans to introduce three to four alcoholic beverage brands over the next few quarters, some of which will use brand names acquired from CANarchy and some that will be developed in-house. That slate may not include hard seltzer, as the company playing in the broader FMB space and, potentially, spirit-based RTD canned cocktails.