Taste Radio

She helped redefine premium soda. Now she's rethinking the martini.

In this episode, Sharelle Klaus shares how the lessons, missteps and successes of building DRY Soda informed the launch of Second Sip, a lower-proof gin designed for today's intentional drinker.

Sharelle reflects on how her second act is more focused and collaborative, shaped by patience, humility, and a deeper understanding of distribution strategy, brand clarity and long-term scale.

Show notes:

0:25: Interview: Sharelle Klaus, Co-Founder, Second Sip – Sharelle talks about how Second Sip, a 20% ABV gin, is designed to let people enjoy more drinking occasions without sacrificing quality. She explains how drawing on lessons from DRY Soda helped develop a brand that is focused on solving problems for consumers, bars, and distributors alike. Sharells discusses how Second Sip, which was developed with industry heavyweights Leo Robitschek and master distiller Nick Strangeway, earned validation from elite bartenders in New York and London before launch and highlights the brand's rapid on-premise success, distributor enthusiasm, and growing direct-to-consumer demand. She talks about the importance of emphasizing focus, timing, and taste to build a lifestyle gin that becomes consumers' everyday choice.

Brands in this episode: Dry Soda, Second Sip

Forget Hollywood. For actor and investor Ryan Phillippe, the real drama is unfolding in the beverage aisle.

Speaking from BevNET Live L.A. 2025, Ryan – attending alongside Pretty Tasty co-founder Scarlett Leung – explains why functional beverages, credible health benefits, and shelf-grabbing design are the factors that separate forgettable brands from the next breakout hit.

Show notes:

0:25: Interview: Ryan Phillippe – Ryan recounts attending his first beverage-focused event, sharing what sparked his interest in the industry and his particular attraction to emerging categories. He highlights the value of clear, simple storytelling, vision-driven founders, and strong marketing, drawing parallels between the beverage space and Hollywood. Ryan also reflects on his current investments and industry relationships, expressing a genuine desire to learn, build connections, and make thoughtful decisions moving forward. He closes by briefly hinting at the potential for a sequel to one of his most beloved films.

Brands in this episode: Poppi, Mamitas, Chlorophyll Water, Pretty Tasty

She went from selling hydration drinks out of the trunk of her car to building a $20M brand, without outside investors, industry experience or playing by the rules.

In this episode, Jesslyn Rollins, the CEO of Biolyte, reveals how grassroots hustle, relentless sampling, and a medical-grade "IV in a bottle" helped her break into one of the most competitive categories in beverages, and why the brand is now ready to make its boldest move yet.

Show notes:

0:25: Interview: Jesslyn Rollins, CEO, Biolyte – At BevNET Live L.A. 2025, Jesslyn recounted Biolyte's origins in 2016, when her father developed a medical-grade rehydration formula and she began selling it out of her car to high school athletic programs. She details how success with local football teams led to Biolyte's big break into Kroger's natural store sections, where cold placement and in-store sampling fueled rapid growth. Jesslyn talks about how Biolyte has expanded across regions, launched a rebrand, secured national powder-pack distribution in Walgreens and CVS, and positioned itself as a premium rapid rehydration sports drink with significantly higher electrolytes than legacy brands. She emphasizes the importance of consumer trust, data-driven storytelling, and evolving the brand's message beyond niche use cases like athletics or illness to everyday wellness. Despite intense competition, operational challenges, and no outside investment, she stays motivated by customer testimonials and a clear mission, noting that Biolyte is now at an inflection point where incremental growth isn't enough and bold strategic change is needed to become "the rehydration drink for the next generation."

Brands in this episode: Biolyte, Gatorade, Powerade, 7UP, Poppi, BodyArmor

As 2026 approaches, the Taste Radio hosts explore why uncertainty may actually favor emerging food and beverage brands. From changing definitions of value and retailer innovation to AI-driven discovery and standout new products, the episode highlights where real opportunity is taking shape in CPG.

Show notes:

0:25: NYE Scaries? Opps. Value ≠ Price. AI For Awareness. Creamy Hummus, Swedish Food & More. – The hosts reflect on year-end anxieties and optimism heading into 2026, discussing the realities of entrepreneurship, resilience through challenges, and reasons for confidence in the food and beverage industry. They highlight ongoing consumer demand for better-for-you products, opportunities created by regulatory changes like the removal of synthetic dyes, continued at-home eating, and strong spending despite economic uncertainty. The conversation emphasizes that consumers are unlikely to abandon healthier or premium choices once adopted, creating space for emerging brands to grow as legacy brands stagnate. They also note increased M&A activity, retailer openness to innovation, and the growing role of technology and AI in product discovery and brand awareness. The episode features tastings and discussions of innovative products, from creamy hummus and sparkling coconut water to plant-based cheese, cocktail mixers, functional meat sticks and Swedish candy.

Brands in this episode: Laird Superfood, Navitas Organics, Archer, Harken Sweets, Habiza, Sunbear, Once Upon A Coconut, Strange Water, Rebel Cheese, The Only Mix, Berski, Bubs, Sockerbit, Dirty Saint

Before you hit play, here's the headline — arguably the biggest in CPG in 2025, and one you already know: PepsiCo acquired better-for-you soda brand Poppi for nearly $2 billion.

What follows is a replay of a 2023 Taste Radio interview with founders Allison and Stephen Ellsworth, recorded back when Poppi was still firmly in disruptor mode — scaling fast, breaking rules, and taking direct aim at Big Soda.

In the conversation, the Ellsworths trace Poppi's evolution from a scrappy gut-health drink into a modern soda brand built for culture, not compromise. They discuss launching amid the chaos of COVID, betting early on TikTok, and choosing bold cans and great taste over "health-halo" minimalism.

The entrepreneurs also share a rare, candid take on founder ego — why they handed the CEO reins to an experienced operator, how they professionalized early, and what it really takes to scale from zero to thousands of doors without losing the magic.

Listen closely and you'll hear the blueprint for the PepsiCo deal years before it happened: a brand that tastes great, moves at the speed of culture, wins both online and in-store, and isn't afraid to call itself soda again.

Show notes:

0:25: Interview: Allison & Stephen Ellsworth, Co-Founders, Poppi – The Ellsworths reflect on Poppi's seven-year journey, from its origins as Mother Beverage to its reinvention as a colorful, prebiotic soda positioned to challenge legacy soda brands. They discuss relocating from Dallas to Austin to tap into a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem, balancing hypergrowth with family life, and navigating the operational challenges of scaling during the pandemic. The founders also explain their emphasis on professionalizing the business, including their decision to bring in seasoned operator Chris Hall as CEO and redefine their own roles, prioritizing long-term scale over founder ego while maintaining creative control and brand vision. The interview also highlights Poppi's digital-first growth engine, particularly its early and unconventional embrace of TikTok, which helped the brand build massive organic reach, cultural relevance, a deeply engaged community and fueled explosive trial across Amazon and DTC before accelerating Poppi's expansion into retail. Consumer insights reinforced the brand's direction: taste was the number-one driver of trial and repeat, enabling Poppi to confidently reclaim the word "soda" and position itself as fun, nostalgic, and culturally current – while quietly delivering functional benefits like prebiotics and low sugar.

Brands in this episode: Poppi, vitaminwater, Bai, BodyArmor

Candy-coated dates, cocktails in pouches, collagen-infused beauty drinks and "noise-canceling" tonics. The latest wave of launches begs the question: is niche now the norm in food and beverage?

Show notes:

0:25: 'Base Mentality. BBL Winners. Regen For All. Bark-Tinis. Adult Capri Sun. Hippies & Santa.-- Melissa offers a 411 on Nombase, BevNET's integrated platform that combines data tools, a partner directory, educational resources, and a weekly podcast. The hosts reflect on Brewbound Live, praising the event's thoughtfully curated content, attendee engagement and upbeat atmosphere. They also highlight a memorable Pitch Slam moment that spurred an emotional, celebratory scene. The conversation then shifts to regenerative agriculture and the USDA's newly announced $700 million pilot program aimed at expanding the farming approach. They turn their attention to numerous products sampled at BevNET Live and new ones sent to the office including a zero-proof Peppermint "Bark-Tini," dates coated in a candy shell, two THC drink brands (no, one of them is not named after a JLo flop) and vodka-based pouch cocktails. Melissa spotlights a brand of functional athletic recovery products and Ray rounds out the episode with one of the most unusual beverage brands launched in the past decade.

Brands in this episode: Ikasu Brewing, Recess, Lil Bucks, Smood Sweets, Gigli, Hippie Water, Vivy, Capri Sun, Summer Club, Skinergy, KA-EX, Santa

Archer's journey to $300 million in annual sales has been driven by an unwavering focus on operational excellence.

In this episode, founder and CEO Eugene Kang shares how disciplined execution, vertical integration, and precisely timed innovation transformed Archer from an upstart jerky brand into one of the fastest-growing meat snack companies in the U.S.

Eugene unpacks Archer's recent rebrand, how the company positioned itself ahead of the explosive growth of meat sticks, and the importance of building durable partnerships with retailers like Whole Foods. He also explains why patience and long-term thinking remain critical traits for CPG founders navigating scale.

Show notes:

0:25: Eugene Kang, Founder & CEO, Archer – At Nosh Live L.A. 2025, Eugene discusses the rebrand from Country Archer to "Archer," revisits the company's early breakthrough – a partnership with Huy Fong Sriracha – and its expansion into meat sticks in 2018. He talks about Archer's rapid scale and how disciplined execution and new household adoption is helping the brand outpace the overall category. Eugene explains how two owned manufacturing facilities enable cost control, quality, and pricing flexibility, and highlights operational excellence as a core strength. He also talks about how a renewed push to build brand equity through national marketing like the "Stick to Real" campaign has supported brand growth. He underscores the importance of patience, discipline, and long-term thinking in CPG, balancing data with intuition in innovation, and delivering clear value to consumers amid inflation.

Brands in this episode: Archer, Slim Jim, Huy Fong

The hosts recap a whirlwind week of back-to-back events in L.A., celebrating standout competitions, emerging brands, and generous mentorship from seasoned founders at Nosh Live and BevNET Live. From Projo's big win in the New Beverage Showdown to celebrity cameos by Ryan Phillippe and Khloé Kardashian, the energy never let up.

Show notes:

0:25: A Fickle Judge. Generous Sharks. Competition BTS. Mochi Magic. A "Dirty" Brand. – The hosts reflect on the high level of professionalism from their teams, enthusiastic attendee feedback, and the inspiring presence of seasoned founders who generously mentored early-stage entrepreneurs. They highlight BevNET's New Beverage Showdown and its winner protein coffee brand Projo, and the Nosh Pitch Slam, won by BFY gummy brand Rotten Candy. The team also celebrates memorable founder presentations, global flavors, and emerging brands across food and beverage. Ray recalls celebrity moments that added extra buzz, from Ryan Phillippe's surprise appearance as a beverage enthusiast to Khloé Kardashian sampling products backstage. He also praises an upstart hangover-recovery brand and a Portland-based RTD cocktail company, and a new line of cinnamon drinks.

Brands in this episode: Dirty Saint, mōcean, Stursi, Projo*, NO CAP!, TIZZ, Rhinestone, Oh So Easy!, Djablo Sauce, Keya's Snacks, Xinca Foods, Shooka Sauce, Rotten, Poppi, Khloud, Sweety, Fly By Jing, Nixie, Late July, Fishwife, Pretty Tasty, Biolyte, Straightaway Cocktails

Hiyo's founders turned a personal wake-up call into one of the fastest-growing adult non-alcoholic beverage brands in the country. Built on sharp strategy, standout design, and disciplined execution, Hiyo is now scaling nationally — including a newly inked Live Nation partnership placing the brand in major venues across the U.S.

In this episode, we sit down with Hiyo's three co-founders, Evan Quinn, Cygne Cooper and George Youmans, who discuss how this SoCal-born "social tonic" is redefining moderation, unlocking category whitespace, and proving that thoughtful focus can outpace flashy niche plays.

Show notes:

0:25: Evan Quinn, Cygne Cooper & George Youmans, Co-Founders, Hiyo – Evan and George reflect on how simultaneous family crises related to alcohol prompted them to cut back on drinking and inspired them to create Hiyo. Cygne discusses how she crafted the SoCal-inspired brand identity and sunset-themed packaging. George notes that Hiyo was initially a DTC brand and grew carefully into retail once operations were strong and consumer demand was clear. Cygne talks about how Hiyo's booth at Expo West 2024 created an energetic, immersive experience before the founders explain how merchandising strategy varies by retailer, with Hiyo fitting either near alcohol or within functional beverage sets. George talks about Hiyo's national partnership with Live Nation, requiring tight coordination across design, production, logistics, and on-premise education.

Brands in this episode: Hiyo, Liquid Death

Nosh Live is buzzing — but did Mike snag that selfie with Khloé? On location in Marina Del Rey, the hosts sip on Erewhon's spicy bone-broth hot chocolate, unpack two landmark lawsuits, and dream of their next visit to 7-Eleven (yes, really). They also serve up hot takes on everything from tempeh chips and plant-based cookie dough to "cultured" drinks and cheese crisps.

Show notes:

0:25: Runway Ruckus. Excited About Events. Bones & Chocolate. S.F. & Costco File Suit. Eggs, Tempeh & Dough. – Travel mishaps hit Mike once again, but everyone's amped for the L.A. events. Ray sips on Spindrift's yuzu mandarin sparkling water before John shares cups of Erewhon's bone-broth hot chocolate and Jacqui munches on one of Unite's globally inspired protein bars. The conversation shifts to industry news, including San Francisco's lawsuit against makers of ultra-processed foods, Costco's legal effort to recoup tariffs, and Hershey's limited-edition Dubai chocolate bar. Ray heralds the U.S. arrival of 7-Eleven's viral egg salad sandwiches and John shares samples of Mamame's tempeh chips, Doughy's plant-based cookie dough, kombucha from Costa Rica, and cheese crisps.

Brands in this episode: Khloud, Fly By Jing, Spindrift, Fond Regenerative, UNiTE, Mr. Goodbar, Kewpie, Mamame, Doughy, Kombucha Culture, Sonoma Creamery