Mississauga, Canada-based Cott Corp. announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which Cott will acquire Crystal Rock Holdings Inc., Watertown, Conn., for $0.97 per share in cash. The transaction, which values Crystal Rock at approximately $35 million, was unanimously approved by both the Cott and Crystal Rock Boards of Directors, the companies say. 

Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo Inc. reported results for the fourth quarter and full year 2017. “We are pleased with our performance for the fourth quarter and full year 2017. We met or exceeded most of the financial goals we set out at the beginning of the year. We delivered these results in the midst of a dynamic retail environment and rapidly shifting consumer landscape,” said Indra Nooyi, chairman and chief executive officer, in a statement.

Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo Inc. announced the launch of bubly, a new sparkling water that combines refreshing flavors with an upbeat and playful sense of humor to shake up the sparkling water category while keeping it real with no artificial flavors, no sweeteners, and no calories.

Murphy’s Stout, a brand within the Five Points Trading Co., a company of White Plains, N.Y.-based Heineken USA, announced the details of its Celebrate with the Perfect Pour St. Patrick’s Day retail and on-premise program. 

Strongbow Hard Ciders, a brand of White Plains, N.Y.-based Heineken USA, announced its newest flavor, Rosé Apple, a semi-dry hard cider with a touch of red fleshed apples. With a light, refreshing and fruity taste and 5 percent alcohol by volume, this newest addition to Strongbow’s line is reminiscent of a Rosé wine but with only 10 grams of sugars in an 11.2-ounce bottle, the company says. 

Newcastle Brown Ale, a brand of White Plains, N.Y.-based Heineken USA, is going back to basics to drive consideration and trial through non-traditional and grassroots platforms. 

2017 saw its fair share of exciting new product releases for the beverage market. The readers of Beverage Industry helped determine our monthly winner with the Readers’ Choice: New Product of the Month poll. 

Absolut, a brand of Paris-based Pernod Ricard, launched a new film titled “The Vodka with Nothing to Hide” to prove how transparent things are in Åhus, Sweden, and features employees totally in the nude. 

Los Angeles-based Rosa Foods Inc., the makers of Soylent, announced the brand’s retail expansion in New York with a long-term strategic distribution agreement with Maspeth, N.Y.-based Big Geyser Inc. 

Johnnie Walker, a brand of Norwalk, Conn.-based Diageo North America, announced the release of the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Year of the Dog limited-edition bottle in celebration of the Lunar New Year. As part of the brand's Pioneering Spirit Series, Johnnie Walker continues to pay homage to the traditions of Asian culture and the lasting heritage of the Chinese Zodiac, the company says.