The CEOs of Kroger and Albertsons Companies, Rodney McMullen and Vivek Sankaran, respectively, faced intense criticism from the Senate Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee during a hearing Tuesday regarding their plans to execute commitments outlined in the proposed merger agreement.

A bipartisan group of state attorneys general (AG) are challenging the impending, initial transaction outlined in the Kroger/Albertsons merger agreement – a special dividend cash payment totaling nearly $4 billion to stakeholders on November 7.

A federal judge has rejected Monster’s motion to be awarded $6 million in attorney’s fees over its “intensely litigated” dispute with Vital Pharmaceuticals (VPX), parent company to Bang Energy, on grounds that the case was not considered frivolous or unreasonable in accordance with the Lanham Act.

Black-owned South African spirits group Spearhead announced yesterday it has raised $3 million to expand the reach of its two products, Vusa Vodka and Bayab Gin, to the U.S., as well as launch new product lines and accelerate its marketing efforts. The raise was led by Pendulum, an investment and advisory platform aimed at supporting business leaders of color.

Beverage maker Stewart’s Enterprise Inc. (SEI) announced late last week that it has named industry veteran Tony Gaines as the company’s new CEO. In his new role, Gaines will help the craft soda maker increase momentum behind its alcoholic beverage brands, including its recently launched Stewart’s Spiked Seltzers and the upcoming launch of a RTD Hard Rock-branded hard seltzer line.

As the world works its way back to pre-pandemic operations, lawmakers across the country are looking to make to-go sales of alcoholic beverages from bars and restaurants a lasting legacy, and DoorDash has launched its latest innovation in support of that effort. The on-demand food delivery service announced Monday that it has expanded its marketplace offerings into the alcoholic beverage category allowing consumers to pair a restaurant meal with a beer, wine or cocktail.

Having already innovated its way through the ready-to-drink category with everything from a classic hard seltzer to Natty Daddy Lemonade, Natural Light is looking beyond canned categories for its latest product launch. The beer maker announced this week it has launched into the spirits world with a line of lemonade-flavored Natty Vodka.