the Last Drop
Hop Valley Brewing Co. teams up with Portland Trail Blazers
Hop Valley Brewing Co., a subsidiary of Tilray Brands Inc., announced a partnership with the Portland Trail Blazers. Together, the pair will open the Hop Valley Brewing Hop Box bar inside Moda Center in Portland, Ore. The new bar aims to enhance the fan experience at the sports and entertainment venue with its vibrancy and innovation, the duo says. “This partnership with the Portland Trail Blazers marks an exciting new chapter for Hop Valley Brewing,” said Ty Gilmore, president of U.S. beverages at Tilray Brands, in a statement. “We are thrilled to bring our unique and flavorful beers to the passionate fans at the Moda Center. The Hop Valley Brewing Hop Box bar is not just a place to grab a drink, it’s a celebration of Portland’s culture, creativity and love for basketball. We can’t wait for fans to raise a glass to the 2024-2025 season and cheer on the Trail Blazers with a cold Hop Valley brew in hand.” Laura Flynn, senior vice president of commercial partnerships for Portland Trail Blazers and Rose Quarter, added: “We are excited to partner with Hop Valley Brewing to bring this quintessential Pacific Northwest bar to life inside Moda Center. The creative and engaging Hop Valley Brewing Hop Box bar will be a destination for craft beer lovers at events throughout the year, enhancing the game day and concert experience for Rip City with local favorites.”
Dunkin’, Sabrina Carpenter release espresso drink
Dunkin’ recently partnered with pop singer Sabrina Carpenter. As a nod to her song “Espresso,” the duo unveiled a new beverage: Sabrina Carpenter’s Brown Sugar Shakin’ Espresso. The drink is freshly hand-shaken in a dedicated espresso shaking, bringing together the flavors of bold espresso, creamy oatmilk and brown sugar in a smooth, frothy sip, the company says. To celebrate, Dunkin’ released an ad campaign titled Shake That Ess’. The ad campaign captures the fearless energy that took Carpenter’s hit song “Espresso” to the top of the charts in 2024, it says. “When we first dreamed up Sabrina’s Brown Sugar Shakin’ Espresso at Dunkin’, it had to be more than another delicious drink on the menu — we wanted to bring some levity to guests’ everyday coffee order,” said Jill McVicar Nelson, chief marketing officer at Dunkin’, in a statement. “Working with one of America’s most beloved pop stars, Sabrina Carpenter, adds a spirited, fresh energy that perfectly aligns with Dunkin’s love of bold taste and good-natured fun. Through our new ad campaign, we’re showing guests that their new drink order can be both delicious and a wink at embracing life’s lighter side — exactly what Dunkin’ is all about.” The campaign was created in partnership with Artists Equity, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s company. The cheeky spot is a nod to the star’s signature boldness and the brand’s playful sense of humor, it notes. The ad showcases Carpenter in a lively room with others, all shaking their espressos, while “Espresso” plays in the background. Carpenter and the other characters — including her grandmother — exclaim that they’re all “shakin’ that ess’.”
MUG Root Beer creates Dawg DNA Kit
MUG Root Beer knows its consumers are built different, it says. The company describes its fans as fiercely loyal, ridiculously absurd and absolutely convinced they’ve “got that dawg in them.” The Dog-backed root beer brand is rewarding that energy with the ultimate validation: the first-ever Dawg DNA Kit. The kit is designed to determine how much dawg they’ve got in them worth barking about, the company says. MUG noticed the growing trend of people getting curious about their roots and created its own mock-genealogy show episode with a surprising twist. “Genes with Gene” introduces the limited-edition DNA kits that aim to help connect MUG fans with their fellow dawgs and Dog, the MUG Root Beer mascot. Recipients of the MUG Root Beer Dawg DNA Kit can prove their dawg status by sipping the provided MUG, collect a saliva sample and drop it onto the pre-supplied test for their official DNA results, which show 30% dawg to the rare 110% dawg. “Our followers inspire us to adopt the phrase ‘GOT THAT DAWG IN YOU?’ as the official slogan of MUG Root Beer, and they’ve been hounding our mascot Dog for dawg approval since,” said Patrick Gamble, senior brand marketing manager for MUG Root Beer, in a statement. “The MUG Root Beer Dawg DNA Kit finally gives fans proof of their dawg status and the opportunity to own it with pride.” The limited-edition kit launched Jan. 10 on @MugRootBeer’s TikTok Shop.
Phillips Distilling Co. unveils 2025 Cocktailmanac
Phillips Distilling Co. recently released its 2025 Cocktailmanac, its annual cocktail almanac. The 2025 almanac has been upgraded to include insights from some of the country’s most talented and visionary mixologists, the company says. It provides a peek as to what to expect in the cocktail world this year through trend forecasting and cocktail recipes. Previously available only as a print book, the 2025 version features an immersive digital experience, the company notes, with videos from contributing bartenders discussing the trends and showcasing their original cocktails. Trends recognized in the book include low alcohol-by-volume (ABV), sustainability, culinary inspired, elevated presentation and reimagined classics. “Our mission is to actively participate in the industry while helping to forge its path forward,” said Laura Donnelly, vice president of marketing at Phillips, in a statement. “With our exceptional, diverse portfolio, Phillips Distilling Co. is prepared to meet the evolving trends of today and tomorrow. We’re grateful for the expertise of the three extraordinary talents who helped shape this resource. With their insights, we have evolved the Cocktailmanac to keep those in the industry ahead of the curve of the ever-shifting cocktail culture.”
Pepsi shines spotlight on New Orleans food scene
Pepsi is giving fans a taste of New Orleans’ culinary scene throughout Super Bowl weekend with its NOLA Eats Fest. To fuel foodies from across the country ahead of the big game, Pepsi teamed up with food lover and self-proclaimed expert in deliciousness, Action Bronson, to highlight New Orleans’ greatest spots. “The Pepsi NOLA Eats Fest is about celebrating the classic New Orleans flavors that have made the city’s cuisine renowned worldwide,” said Scott Finlow, chief marketing officer for PepsiCo Away From Home, in a statement. “From Cajun seasoning to seafood boils, we’re here to spotlight the delicious dishes the city’s local restaurants have to offer on game day and beyond, and how enjoying them with a Pepsi unlocks even more flavor.” In a statement, Heather Hoytink, president of PBNA South Division, said the company is excited to welcome football, food and Pepsi lovers to one of the most vibrant culinary cities in the South. “In support of local restauranteurs and restaurant workers, we created the Pepsi Super Bowl Boil as a unique destination to celebrate the incredible offerings of the New Orleans food scene and the community it creates,” Hoytink said. “We’re looking forward to helping settle the debate on the best boil in the Big Easy.” The Pepsi NOLA Eats Fest is open Feb. 7 and 8 from noon to 5 p.m. at Woldenberg Riverfront Park.
