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The Breeze With Beverage Digest

The Breeze With Beverage Digest

By: Beverage Digest
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 Beverage Digest Editor & Publisher Duane Stanford talks shop: news of the day, interesting competitive trends, new products and categories. He brings you into the kinds of conversations that we have here every day at Beverage Digest. To dissect what’s happening, connect dots, and ask the most important question: “What does this mean?”© 2025 The Breeze With Beverage Digest Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Episode 25: Coke Threads the Cane Sugar Needle. C-stores and Energy’s Unstoppable Rise. Plus, Prebiotic Pepsi?

    Episode 25: Coke Threads the Cane Sugar Needle. C-stores and Energy’s Unstoppable Rise. Plus, Prebiotic Pepsi?
    Aug 1 2025

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    Beverage Digest Editor & Publisher Duane Stanford and industry expert & regular podcast contributor John Sicher tackle three big topics today.

    Duane and John ponder new sugary Coke innovation coaxed by President Donald Trump. They also assess convenience store traffic and what it means for the seemingly unstoppable rise of the U.S. energy drink category. And finally, Pepsi announced a new prebiotic cola, right after acquiring Poppi.
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    42 mins
  • Episode 24: What's Next in Beverage M&A? Hints from PepsiCo-Poppi, Celsius-Alani Nu, and Spindrift-Gryphon. Banker Ross Colbert Joins Us

    Episode 24: What's Next in Beverage M&A? Hints from PepsiCo-Poppi, Celsius-Alani Nu, and Spindrift-Gryphon. Banker Ross Colbert Joins Us
    Jun 27 2025

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    Beverage Digest Editor & Publisher Duane Stanford and industry expert & regular podcast contributor John Sicher are joined by Ross Colbert - Managing Director of food & beverage investment banking for Carter Morse & Goodrich. They discuss M&A strategy, acquisitions, and changing business models for 2025 and beyond.
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    47 mins
  • Episode 23: Sprite, Poppi, Alani Nu, BodyArmor. Unearthing Insights from BD's Fact Book 30th Edition

    Episode 23: Sprite, Poppi, Alani Nu, BodyArmor. Unearthing Insights from BD's Fact Book 30th Edition
    May 15 2025

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    Beverage industry veterans Duane Stanford and John Sicher analyze the latest trends revealed in the Beverage Digest Fact Book, discussing the surprising rise of Sprite over Pepsi and the continued dominance of functional beverages.

    • Non-alcoholic beers gaining mainstream acceptance as daytime alternatives to diet sodas
    • THC beverages operating in regulatory "Wild West" environment likely to face increased scrutiny
    • Sprite overtakes Pepsi to become America's third-ranked carbonated soft drink
    • PepsiCo has a long-term strategy as a "total beverage company" too
    • Functional refreshment drives growth in "gut sodas" like Poppy and Olipop
    • Energy drinks remain strong despite economic pressures due to functionality and flavor variety
    • Liquid refreshment beverage market shows bifurcated growth—water and energy drinks up
    • Sports drinks category puzzlingly weak despite functional benefits and strong brands
    • Coca-Cola implementing unified "sandwich strategy" with Body Armor and Powerade
    • Economic pressures and potential tariff impacts creating uncertain environment for beverage industry

    Visit our website to learn more about the Beverage Digest Fact Book, the Keurig Dr Pepper System Map Book, and subscribe to our digital newsletter for exclusive industry insights.
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    46 mins
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