Industry Issues
Liquid Death announces distribution agreement with Big Geyser
Liquid Death, Los Angeles, announced its new distribution agreement with Big Geyser, New York. This agreement strengthens Liquid Death’s presence in one of the nation’s most important beverage markets and is a significant milestone as the company continues to meet rapidly growing consumer demand, it says.
Liquid Death has successfully scaled its brand across the mountain water, soda-flavored sparkling water and iced tea categories and will be launching in the better-for-you energy drink category in 2026. Its entertainment-first marketing strategy focuses on creating true comedy that wins on social media and has built it into the No. 2 most followed beverage brand globally across TikTok and Instagram, the company says.
“For nearly 40 years, Big Geyser has built its reputation on scaling some of the biggest names in the beverage business. Liquid Death is the next big beverage giant, successfully playing in three categories and soon adding energy as a fourth,” said Jerry Reda, president and chief operating officer of Big Geyser, in a statement. “Their culture-defining marketing is perfectly aligned with the high energy of our company and New York. We are thrilled to bring Big Geyser’s unmatched execution to this iconic brand, and we look forward to cementing Liquid Death as a powerhouse on the East Coast.”
Mike Cessario, founder and CEO of Liquid Death, added: “At Liquid Death, we’ve built a rare, multi-category healthy beverage platform under a single brand name. Working with Big Geyser brings us the top operator in NYC and New York distribution and new reach for our brand in the world’s most influential market. We are the first better-for-you beverage brand built on comedy, and we’re continuing to scale our brand with a robust innovation pipeline for 2026, including launching our better-for-you energy drink line. As we prepare to enter this new category, Big Geyser is the perfect partner for this next chapter of growth.”
Sazerac Co. acquires Western Son Vodka and Distillery
The Sazerac Co. announced that it will be acquiring the Texas-based Western Son Vodka and Distillery, a small-batch spirits company.
“We are excited to bring Western Son to Sazerac,” said Jake Wenz, CEO of Sazerac, in a statement. “The company has created a strong brand and it provides us an opportunity to continue to augment our portfolio, while also adding additional production capacity and capabilities to our network.”
Western Son’s portfolio consists of a wide selection of vodkas and a gin. It joins Sazerac’s global spirits lineup, including Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Traveller Whiskey, Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, BuzzBallz, Southern Comfort, SVEDKA Vodka and more.
Sazerac is one of the world’s largest distilled spirits companies and is in the fourth generation of the current family ownership, striving to bring the finest spirits to consumers around the world, it adds.
In The News …
Summit Beverage, a leading beverage distributor in Montana, announced the acquisition of George’s Distributing, a well-established distributor with deep Montana roots. The transaction is set to close on Dec. 31. This strategic transaction significantly expands Summit’s market presence and enhances the company’s ability to serve customers throughout Montana, the company says. The transaction with George’s Distributing represents a key milestone in Summit Beverage’s strategic growth plan. This business deal combines two respected organizations, both with complementary strengths and shared commitments to exceptional customer service, the company says. George’s Distributing will operate independently within the Summit organization, keeping its name, culture and talented team while gaining access to new resources that will help us grow substantially. “This transaction aligns perfectly with our vision to be the premier beverage distributor in our markets,” said Greg Markovich, president of Summit Beverage, in a statement. “George’s Distributing has built an outstanding reputation in Montana, and we’re excited to welcome their talented team and valued customers to the Summit family. This deal firmly cements our position as a full-service, statewide wholesaler in Montana.”
Jarriboba, the bold and bubbly boba beverage from the iconic Mexican soda brand Jarritos, is expanding its retailer reach at Northgate Market and popping into Walmart stores across California. Following a successful debut in Arizona in 2024, Jarriboba, a fusion of Jarritos’ fruity flavors and chewy, popping boba, is rapidly expanding its retailer footprint. This unique mashup of Taiwanese bubble tea and Mexican soda culture now is available in 40 Northgate Market locations in Northern California and 50 Walmart stores throughout Southern California. “As a newer addition to the beverage aisle, Jarriboba has received an overwhelmingly positive response,” said Eric Delamare, marketing director at Jarritos, in a statement. “We’re excited to expand this flavor-packed experience to even more consumers through our valued retail partners, Walmart and Northgate.”
Castle & Key Distillery announced the brand has expanded distribution alignment with Skurnik Wines & Spirits throughout the state of California. With the addition of California, Skurnik will now represent the landmark producer of award-winning Kentucky spirits in four markets: Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and California. “We’ve been proud to represent Castle & Key on the East Coast for the past four years,” said David Skurnik, executive vice president of Skurnik Wines & Spirits, in a statement. “From the historic Old Taylor Distillery to their contemporary approach to small-batch spirits, their expression of American whiskey is compelling. Expanding our partnership to California allows us to share their exceptional bourbons, ryes, and gins with a whole new audience. We’re thrilled to help carry their legacy forward.” Will Arvin, co-founder of Castle & Key, added: “At Castle & Key, we’ve always believed in thoughtful growth, expanding where there’s both demand and a shared appreciation for craft. California has long been a priority for us, and partnering with Skurnik Wines & Spirits allows us to bring our spirits to a wider audience in one of the country’s most dynamic markets. We’re excited to continue building on this momentum together.”
Houston-based FreshBrew, one of the largest private-label coffee and tea roasters in the country, announced the acquisition of White Coffee's Branded Coffee licensed division. “FreshBrew is expanding its capabilities and growing the business,” said Al Ansari, CEO of FreshBrew Group, in a statement. “Acquiring a respected, family-led company like this presented a rare opportunity to strengthen our position in the coffee industry. Now is the perfect time to join forces, as FreshBrew continues to grow with purpose. This move expands our offerings and diversifies our customer and consumer base.” FreshBrew will secure ownership of multiple licenses, enabling the company to develop, produce and market coffee for major brands with established market presence. Leveraging the strong brand equity of these licensed names, FreshBrew will handle the entire process, from roasting and grinding to distribution, complementing FreshBrew's private label business. “Our company has been our family's life for decades,” said Carole White, president of White Coffee Corp. “Seeing our brands and licensed partnerships carried forward by FreshBrew ensures that White Coffee's history of quality and care will live on for future generations of coffee drinkers.”
North America Real Estate Investment Group (NAREIG) announced the sale of Calmére Estate Winery, a premier Carneros-AVA property renowned for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir production. The transaction represents one of the region's most notable full-estate sales of the year, the company says. Calmére Estate Winery spans approximately 100 acres across two legal parcels. The estate features 74 acres of planted vineyards, including 57 acres of Chardonnay, 9.5 acres of Pinot Noir, and 7.85 acres of Merlot — producing fruit celebrated for its coastal minerality and balance. The winery encompasses nearly 40,000 square feet of state-of-the-art production and hospitality facilities, including a crush pad, fermentation tanks, barrel storage, and bottling line. It holds a rare 250,000-gallon production permit, one of fewer than 60 “pre-WDO” entitlements in Napa Valley that allow sourcing up to 62.5% of fruit from outside the county, offering the buyer exceptional flexibility. Hospitality entitlements include 75 daily tastings and special events for up to 250 guests, with tasting terraces and an elevated event barn overlooking panoramic vineyard and bay views. While the financial terms were not disclosed, the estate was most recently marketed with an asking range near $17.5 million. The buyer is understood to be a strategic investor group focused on premium wine production and agri-tourism growth in California.