RIOT Energy, an organic energy drink brand from Venice Calif., announced it secured a minority investment from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, Calif. Sierra Nevada will initially serve as an investor and will eventually produce and package RIOT Energy products at its new 85,000-square-foot facility, CanDo Innovation Center, which is slated to begin operations this summer.

The demand for direct-to-consumer (DTC) beer shipping has increased 5.3% since 2022, despite industry challenges and political opposition. According to the newest Direct-to-Consumer Beer Shipping Report from Sovos ShipCompliant and the Brewers Association, 79% of regular craft beer drinkers would purchase more craft beer if they were able to have it shipped directly to their home, up from 75% in 2022.

Essentia Water announced a new partnership with Emmy-nominated actor and producer Millie Bobby Brown. Brown will be featured in an upcoming installment of Essentia's “Stop for Nothing” campaign series, which highlights how she balances her many roles by taking a moment to hydrate and recenter.

Simply Spiked, a brand of Chicago-based Molson Coors Beverage Co., announced its back with a new innovation: Simply Spiked Peach, which is set to launch this spring. The new line of four peach flavors will be available nationwide at the end of March, the company notes. In true Simply Spiked fashion, the brand is teasing the release early to prepare its fans for just how juicy this spring is going to get, it says.

The BevOps Fleet Summit will take place April 11-13 at the M Resort Spa & Casino in Henderson, Nev. The conference will address the business challenges and industry trends of today’s beverage marketplace and how operators can prepare for what’s next.

Bethesda, Md.-based Eat the Change, the planet-friendly snack company founded by social entrepreneur Seth Goldman and celebrity Chef Spike Mendelsohn, announced an extension of its ready-to-drink organic iced tea line Just Ice Tea in three new varieties: Mango White Tea, Original Black Tea and Lemon Ginger Herbal Tea. 

One year after the launch of HARD MTN DEW, the brand announced the release of HARD MTN DEW Livewire, the first-ever addition to the flavor lineup. HARD MTN DEW Livewire is a new twist on the classic soft drink with a jolt of orange citrus flavor, 5% ABV, no caffeine, no added sugars and 100 calories in each serving, the company says.

Chicago-based Molson Coors Beverage Co. announced the creation of a centralized commercial function in its Americas business unit designed to accelerate its growth in the years ahead.

Athletic Brewing Co., Milford, Conn., has teamed up with Austin, Texas-based Super Coffee on the world’s first pre-workout brew. Called Suped Up, the new non-alcohol beer was inspired by the power of positive energy and the grind of endless grit, the company says. Brewed with high-quality coffee and spent brewer’s grains, Suped Up is a rich, extra dark brew that is full-bodied and contains 5 grams of protein.

The American Beverage Association (ABA), Washington, D.C., announced that Kevin Keane will serve as interim president and CEO effective immediately. Keane will succeed Katherine Lugar, who recently announced she will return to the hotel industry as executive vice president of global corporate affairs at Hilton.