Taste Radio

The latest episode of Taste Radio's Elevator Talk spotlights innovative leaders from Statesman Marinades, Harlem Baking Company, Häppy Candy, OKO and Sun Ghee.

In this installment, founders and CEOs introduce their brands and share recent company updates and milestones. This week's special co-host isRifle Hughes, the co-founder of Integral CPG. He offers insightful questions, thoughtful feedback, and strategic perspective alongside regular host Ray Latif, editor and producer of the Taste Radio podcast.

Early-stage food and beverage entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply for future episodes of Elevator Talk. Participation is free, interviews are conducted remotely, and it's a unique opportunity to pitch your product, share news, and receive expert feedback from industry leaders.

Apply now to be featured in an upcoming episode.

The latest episode of Taste Radio's Elevator Talk spotlights innovative leaders fromStatesman Marinades, Harlem Baking Company, Häppy Candy, OKO and Sun Ghee.

In this installment, founders and CEOs introduce their brands and share recent company updates and milestones. This week's special co-host isRifle Hughes, the co-founder of Integral CPG. He offers insightful questions, thoughtful feedback, and strategic perspective alongside regular host Ray Latif, editor and producer of the Taste Radio podcast.

Early-stage food and beverage entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply for future episodes of Elevator Talk. Participation is free, interviews are conducted remotely, and it's a unique opportunity to pitch your product, share news, and receive expert feedback from industry leaders.

Apply now to be featured in an upcoming episode.

The latest episode of Taste Radio's Elevator Talk spotlights innovative leaders fromStatesman Marinades, Harlem Baking Company, Häppy Candy, OKO and Sun Ghee.

In this installment, founders and CEOs introduce their brands and share recent company updates and milestones. This week's special co-host isRifle Hughes, the co-founder of Integral CPG. He offers insightful questions, thoughtful feedback, and strategic perspective alongside regular host Ray Latif, editor and producer of the Taste Radio podcast.

Early-stage food and beverage entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply for future episodes of Elevator Talk. Participation is free, interviews are conducted remotely, and it's a unique opportunity to pitch your product, share news, and receive expert feedback from industry leaders.

Apply now to be featured in an upcoming episode.

The latest episode of Taste Radio's Elevator Talk spotlights innovative leaders fromStatesman Marinades, Harlem Baking Company, Häppy Candy, OKO and Sun Ghee.

In this installment, founders and CEOs introduce their brands and share recent company updates and milestones. This week's special co-host isRifle Hughes, the co-founder of Integral CPG. He offers insightful questions, thoughtful feedback, and strategic perspective alongside regular host Ray Latif, editor and producer of the Taste Radio podcast.

Early-stage food and beverage entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply for future episodes of Elevator Talk. Participation is free, interviews are conducted remotely, and it's a unique opportunity to pitch your product, share news, and receive expert feedback from industry leaders.

Apply now to be featured in an upcoming episode.

Hurray's Girl Beer isn't just another craft brand. It's a calculated rebellion against an industry stuck in the past.

In this episode, Hurray's founder Ray Biebuyck joins Taste Radio editor Ray Latif and Brewbound managing editor Jess Infante to share her vision for a beer brand that doesn't just challenge convention, it openly mocks it.

Witty, unapologetic, and intentionally unorthodox, Hurray's markets flavored light beers, including Pineapple Yuzu and Blueberry Lavender varieties, crafted not to honor tradition, but to disrupt it. The brand's satirical, female-forward positioning flips the script in a category that has long overlooked nearly a third of its audience: women.

Ray discusses how Hurray's draws more from stand-up comedy than legacy brewing playbooks, using humor and irreverence as tools for connection, and conversion. She also reveals how this disruptive approach is translating into real-world traction, with Hurray's on track to reach over 3,000 retail locations, including Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, BevMo, Total Wine, Sprouts, and Walmart, by Q1 2026.

Show notes:

0:25: Interview: Ray Biebuyck, Founder & CEO, Hurray's Girl Beer – Ray traces her roots back to New England and her early career in the corporate world, with stints at J.P. Morgan and WeWork after graduating from college in New York City. She discussed how, at the onset of the pandemic, she stepped in to support operations for a local beverage alcohol brand and recognized a gap in the market: a disconnect between male-dominated beer branding and female consumers. Ray eventually launched Hurray's Girl Beer in 2024 and shares the uphill journey of pitching a new beer brand in a male-dominated, slowing market, and how she carved out a niche by courting an underserved audience. She recalls self-distributing cases out of a Toyota Camry to landing shelf space in 200 retail doors across Los Angeles and Orange County and how Girl Beer secured distribution at Whole Foods, BevMo, and Total Wine. Ray also details the pivotal relationship with an Anheuser-Busch-aligned distributor, which accelerated growth and expanded reach and why she believes the brand is on track for a breakout year in 2026.

Brands in this episode: Hurray's Girl Beer, Shacksbury Cider, Woodchuck Cider, Magic Hat, Ben & Jerry's, Seventh Generation, Green Mountain Coffee, Poppi, Olipop, Liquid Death, Garage Beer, Surfside, Budweiser, Bud Light, Golden Road, Elysian, Busch, Heineken, White Claw, Truly, Bud Light Seltzer, Michelob Ultra, Friday Beers

Ten years ago, the idea of canned milk powering a fast-growing brand might have seemed far-fetched. And yet, Slate – which recently announced $23 million in fresh funding – has proven just how powerful a novel concept can be. What can CPG founders – and the industry at large – learn from its rise? The hosts also look back on an unforgettable meetup in San Francisco, where industry veterans, insiders, and ambitious early-stage founders came together in a high-energy atmosphere.

Show notes:

0:25: SpearsTok. S.F. Straightaway. Soaring Slate. Aggressive Snacks & Sprinkles. — The show kicks off with banter about AI job titles and algorithm-driven social media feeds, before the hosts reflect on the energy of Taste Radio's recent San Francisco meetup and how the event fostered valuable industry connections and spotlighted emerging brands. They also preview the show's London meetup on October 2 as well as BevNET's Live events in December. The hosts then turn their attention to a $23M funding round for milk-based protein beverage platform Slate, which sparked a deeper conversation about brand evolution, product positioning and the importance of timing in industry success. They also discuss a plant-based meat snack brand with "aggressive" branding. Ray highlights Sprinkles' new cupcake bites, John gulps Zico's organic coconut water, Mike touts THC and turmeric drinks and Jacqui spotlights an innovative CPG brand designed for women.

Brands in this episode: Slate, Spindrift, Health-Ade, Trip, In Good Taste Wines, Slapp, Dokkaebeer, Kechi, Mindful, Jules Matcha, Fort Point, Standard Deviant, Straightaway Cocktails, Plift, MixMix, KiuKiu, Uncle Matt's, ZICO, Drink Folks, Q Drinks, Benni Pops, Sprinkles, Rootless, AGRO, Yasso, Forager Project, Uncracked, Yerba Madre

What separates beverage brands that break out from those that burn out?

In this episode, industry veteran Ken Sadowsky – often known by his sobriquet, the "Beverage Whisperer" – offers a behind-the-scenes look at what's working (and what's not) in the fiercely competitive drinks industry.

Ken, who is the executive director of the Northeastern Independent Distributors Association (NIDA) and a senior advisor with Belgium-based investment firm Verlivest, draws from decades of experience and shares practical, battle-tested insights, from store checks in NYC bodegas to the growing influence of non-alcoholic spirits.

He dives into a range of hot-button topics, including the ROI of trade shows like Expo West, the crucial role of effective packaging, and the delicate balance between innovation and consumer confusion. Along the way, he shares candid opinions on up-and-coming brands, expressing optimism for some while voicing skepticism toward others.

Show notes:

0:25: Interview: Ken Sadowsky, Sr. Advisor, Verlinvest – Ken Sadowsky talks about his passion for conducting store checks to stay current on emerging brands and trends and emphasizes the importance of trying new products, especially in diverse markets like New York City. He also explains how his background as a distributor and investor informs his observations and why advises early-stage founders to perfect their product in their hometowns before attempting to break into bigger markets. He and Ray sample a non-alcoholic margarita from Pentire and a collagen-infused sparkling water from Liquid Youth. They then discuss the rise of ANA beverages and the evolution of sweeteners in better-for-you sodas. Ken acknowledges Poppi's branding success and PepsiCo's acquisition of the company, but he remains skeptical about the long-term viability of the prebiotic soda category. The conversation continues with an exploration of the value of trade shows like Expo West, why ROI can be elusive and difficult to quantify, and his advice for startups with limited budgets. Ken and Ray sample more brands, including Fhirst, a U.K.-based probiotic soda brand, and Orange Toucan, a moringa-infused beverage. The discussion turns to the meaning of innovation in CPG, as Ken defines it as introducing something truly new, ideally with a functional or sustainability benefit that can reach mainstream audiences. They wrap the episode by spotlighting 67 Water, a culturally resonant brand targeting Gen Z and Gen Alpha; Glucosal, a Guatemalan electrolyte beverage only distributed in Miami; and Cadence, an isotonic drink brand.

Brands in this episode: Liquid Youth, Poppi, Olipop, Liquid I.V., Celsius, Prime, Red Bull, Vitaminwater, Hint, 67 Water, Cadence, Pentire, Orange Toucan, Ringa, Kuli Kuli, Glucosal, Woody Creek Distillers, Mountain Dew, Vita Coco, Fhirst, Casa Azul, Bud Light, Electrolit, AriZona Beverages, GNGR Labs, MOTH Drinks

The hosts dive into the sustained wave of protein-infused consumer products – from popcorn to mashed potatoes – and debate whether the market is approaching "protein fatigue" or merely scratching the surface of a macro trend driven more by marketing than science. They also recap Taste Radio's high-energy meetup in San Diego, spotlighting several new and innovative brands showcased at the event.

Show notes:

0:25: Free Tee. Nice To Meet Thee. MDR In DEC. Poppi To Popcorn. Protein ≠ Pumpkin Spice. Head High. – Ray encourages listeners to review Taste Radio on Apple Podcasts and offers a gift for those who do. The hosts recount their recent San Diego meetup, highlighting new brands like Birdie sparkling teas, cannabis ingredient company SoRSE Technology and fast-growing juice and shot company Sol-ti. They also discuss upcoming events in San Francisco, London, and the BevNET Live, NOSH Live, and Brewbound Live conferences in Marina del Rey, emphasizing early registration benefits. They turn their attention toward the deluge of new protein-infused products coming to market, from Kloud popcorn to Idahoan mashed potatoes, prompting a debate among the hosts about the limits of protein's market viability and consumer perception. The hosts also praise Rotten, a brand of better-for-you gummy worms, and highlight kanna-infused ANA brand Innerbloom as well as Happy Pop and Cien Chiles.

Brands in this episode: Solti, Straightaway Cocktails, Birdie, The NA Beverage Co. Perfect Hydration, Slapp, Hoplark, Mother Earth, AleSmith, Bottle Logic, Fall Brewing, Poppi, Vita Coco, Health-Ade, Khloud, Idahoan, Mighty Squirrel, Cleveland Kitchen, Fave, Innerbloom, Happy Pop, Rotten, Fave, Cien Chiles

The latest episode of Taste Radio's Elevator Talk spotlights innovative leaders from FUZZEE, Rise Yaupon, Släcka, Lovely Bunch and Nordic Tree Water.

In this installment, founders and CEOs introduce their brands and share recent company updates and milestones. This week's special co-host is Dr. Sebastian Dreher, the Venture Manager - North America for DöhlerGroup. He offers insightful questions, thoughtful feedback, and strategic perspective alongside regular host Ray Latif, editor and producer of the Taste Radio podcast.

Early-stage food and beverage entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply for future episodes of Elevator Talk. Participation is free, interviews are conducted remotely, and it's a unique opportunity to pitch your product, share news, and receive expert feedback from industry leaders.

Apply now to be featured in an upcoming episode.

What does it take to reinvent a legacy category for the modern consumer?

In this episode, Mike Lombardo, the co-founder of better-for-you iced tea brand Halfday, shares the journey of transforming a college side hustle into a fast-growing challenger brand. Fueled by a mission to improve gut health without sacrificing flavor, Mike and his co-founder set out to reimagine iced tea for today's health-conscious consumer.

Mike opens up about the brand's early missteps, and why putting flavor first became a non-negotiable product principle. He also shares how Halfday secured coveted shelf space at Whole Foods, partnered with one of New York City's most influential distributors, and how a last-minute decision to attend BevNET Live led to a major investment that helped propel the business forward.

Show notes:

0:25: Interview: Mike Lombardo, Co-Founder, Halfday – Mike explains the origins of the name "Halfday," how he and his co-founder initially bootstrapped their way into Whole Foods stores and what they learned from in-store demos. He talks about why the original concept wasn't scalable and how the pandemic became a turning point in which they leaned more heavily into the products' functional benefits, low sugar content and flavor, focusing their message on "iced tea for the modern consumer." Mike emphasizes the importance of patience and iteration, and building the right team with experienced operators. He reflects on the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, including doubts about scalability, the challenges of fundraising, and the importance of trusting the process.

Brands in this episode: Halfday, Three Wishes, Snapple, Olipop, Liquid Death, Bai, C4 Energy