Lassonde Industries Inc., a manufacturer and marketer of fruit juices and juice drinks based in Rougemont, Quebec, has entered into a definitive agreement through its U.S. subsidiary US Juice Partners LLC to acquire Apple & Eve LLC, Port Washington, N.Y., for approximately $150 million.

Fresh Matters LLC will add four new cold-pressed, high-pressure processed (HPP) juices to its ‘tude Juice portfolio.

Federal Way, Wash.-based Fresh Matters LLC’s ‘tude Juice brand is launching four new cold-pressed, high-pressure processed (HPP) juices in Apple Marionberry, Apple Cranberry, Apple Blueberry and Apple Ginger + Turmeric varieties. The new additions to the 'tude Juice line will be exclusively available in 166 Whole Foods Market stores in the Pacific Northwest, Northern California, Southern Pacific, Rocky Mountain and Southwest regions during July and August. The juices will be available to retailers nationwide beginning Sept. 1.

St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch (A-B), the U.S. arm of Anheuser-Busch InBev, will release its new Johnny Appleseed Hard Apple Cider brand nationwide April 7. Inspired by the legendary adventurer and storyteller, Johnny Appleseed Hard Apple Cider features a refreshingly sweet flavor with a crisp apple bite, the company says.

Headlines about a select few professional and amateur athletes have put a negative connation on the term “juicing.” Although athletes aren’t without their share of “bad apples,” more and more consumers are giving the term a new, healthier definition.

Chapman’s Brewing Co. launched Chapman’s American Ale Cider, which is a cider that combines malted barley and Cascade hops.

Beam Inc. added two new varieties to its Jim Beam portfolio.

According to New York-based Nielsen, pumpkin-flavored seasonal foods and beverages are appearing on store shelves and menus earlier this fall than in previous years. This early arrival might set the seasonal flavor up for another successful season, it suggests.

Congressmen Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., and Chris Collins, R-N.Y., introduced the bipartisan Cider Industry Deserves Equal Regulation (CIDER) Act. The act would amend the section of the tax code that deals with wine and related beverages to allow hard cider-makers increased flexibility in their final products without potentially facing increased tax liability.

W.G. Barr Beverage Co. launched T.W. Pitchers’ Snake Bite in San Francisco.