PepsiCo announced this morning it has entered a definitive agreement to acquire Poppi for $1.95 billion, officially bringing the CSD giant into the next gen functional soda set.

Adult beverage consumers can now party like Willie Nelson. The country music star and his wellness enterprise partner Long Play, Inc. have partnered with California-based bev-alc maker JuneShine Brands to launch Willie’s Remedy+, a non-alcoholic (NA), intoxicating hemp-based “social tonic.”

Dealing with droughts is part of life in California, but an extension to the state’s self-imposed ban on hemp-derived THC drinks looks set to further stress an already reeling industry. Prior to their scheduled expiration this month, California’s Department of Public Health extended a six-month ban on “intoxicating hemp products” imposed in September for another three months. Now set to expire on June 24, the emergency measure can be readopted only one more time, according to California law.

Officially in its second year, Hot Plate Brewing in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, has some star power behind one of its next releases. Effervescent lemongrass saison shares its name with comedian Patton Oswalt’s standup special, performed at a nearby theater later this month.

One of the latest signs that craft beer has entered a new era: Patrons of storied brewpub chains Gordon Biersch and Rock Bottom can now order domestic lagers produced by the world’s largest breweries.

One-third of U.S. consumers plan to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year, according to the 2025 Annual Holiday Preview report from consumer research firm Numerator.

Guinness is synonymous with U.S. St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. National ambassador Ryan Wagner joins the Brewbound Podcast to discuss preparation for the holiday, how the Splitting the G viral phenomenon has played a role in the brand’s upward trajectory and introduces it to new consumers.

Diageo will cease bringing new brands into its Distill Ventures accelerator program for startup drink entrepreneurs, a Diageo spokesperson confirmed Wednesday.

It cost more to go out for a drink last month than it did a year ago, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) February 2025 Consumer Price Index (CPI) report. The CPI for total beverage-alcohol away from home increased +3.4% last month compared to February 2024.

American whiskey producers are once again swept up in a trade dispute that has unfurled pricey tariffs on their exports to Europe.

A majority of U.S. consumers support expanding direct-to-consumer shipping of beer, according to the fifth annual Direct-to-Consumer Beer Shipping Report, a Harris Poll survey commissioned by Sovos ShipCompliant and the Brewers Association.

SipMARGS, a ready-to-drink (RTD) sparkling margarita brand has revamped its liquid and landed $3 million from new investors, including powerhouse social media influencer Alix Earle.

Constellation Brands has “evolved” the playbook for its portfolio of Mexican import brands for 2025 and beyond, leadership shared last week during the company’s annual Gold Network Summit in Orlando.

President Donald Trump is now threatening to double tariffs on aluminum and steel imports from Canada, increasing them from 25% to 50%, according to his social media posts. The move is in retaliation for a 25% surcharge placed by Ontario on electricity to the U.S.