Protein Is Everywhere. But Does It Belong Everywhere?
Taste Radio
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...
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Elevator Talk: FUZZEE, Rise Yaupon, Släcka, Lovely Bunch, Nordic Tree Water
Taste Radio
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...
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How Halfday Went From Dorm Room To Disrupting A $9B Category
Taste Radio
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...
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Chomps, Coffee & Cocktails. CPG’s Winners Are Culturally Relevant.
Taste Radio
Tips from trailblazing brands, strategies to captivate venture capitalists, the explosive growth of the RTD coffee category and much more. This packed episode features highlights from Taste Radio’s Chicago meetup and an in-depth look at Nutrabolt’s $200 million investment in Bloom Nutrition. The hosts also dive into the next wave of coffee innovation and examine whether energy or indulgence is driving consumer demand. Show notes: 0:25: DO Buy? Ninety Seconds. ‘Bolt & Bloom. A Tost. Coffee Talk. No Pistachio? – The hosts revisit Taste Radio’s Chicago meetup and preview upcoming...
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‘Shameless’ CPG: Why William H. Macy Is All In On Woody Creek
Taste Radio
When Oscar-nominated actor William H. Macy joined Woody Creek Distillers, it wasn’t a Hollywood deal – it was a neighborhood one. Living just down the road from the founders in Woody Creek, Colorado, Bill – known for starring roles in the hit TV series “Shameless” and iconic films “Fargo” and “Boogie Nights” – became a true partner in the craft distillery, not just its face. Now, he’s helping build a spirits brand rooted in authenticity, local sourcing, and uncompromising quality – all while writing songs about it and leading surprise ukulele performances at...
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Niche To National. The Brands Finding A Better Way To Scale.
Taste Radio
From college campuses to cannabis aisles, this episode explores how emerging CPG brands are carving out space in crowded categories. The hosts unpack Better Sour’s rapid retail expansion – including an exclusive Sprouts flavor and placement on United Airlines – while also spotlighting Toom’s strategic refresh that helped turn a niche garlic dip into a national brand. Plus, the challenges of adaptogen overload, and how design influences consumer trust. Show notes: 0:15: Joe Who? Better Breakfast. Too(m) Good. Old Gold? Stock & Shot. Review & Win. – Jacqui’s unfamiliarity...
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Elevator Talk: Juicybite, Send Bars, Date Smarter, Keya's Snacks, Elephant Green Chili Chutney
Taste Radio
The latest episode of Taste Radio’s Elevator Talk spotlights innovative leaders from Juicybite, Send Bars, Date Smarter, Keya's Snacks and Elephant Green Chili Chutney. In this installment, founders and CEOs introduce their brands and share recent company updates and milestones. This week’s special co-host is Ken Collis, the founder and CEO of TLK Fusion. 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...
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Nearing $90M & Surging. The Keys To Clio Snacks’ Scaling Strategy.
Taste Radio
How did Clio Snacks evolve from a homemade Greek yogurt bar created in a New Jersey garage into a national brand approaching $90 million in annual sales? In this episode, company CEO John McGuckin shares the strategic blueprint behind the brand’s explosive growth, from prototype to distribution in nearly every major grocery and mass retail chain across the U.S. On location at Clio’s 80,000-square-foot facility in New Jersey, John dives into how the brand is riding the wave of health-conscious snacking trends. He discusses the complexities of managing a vertically integrated business, where...
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Spindrift’s Shift & Seven-Figure Raises
Taste Radio
The hosts dissect Spindrift’s decision to discontinue its Spiked line and spotlight rising CPG stars Mooski and Painterland Sisters, each of which recently announced major funding rounds. They also preview upcoming Taste Radio meetups in the U.S. and U.K., before taking bites and sips of oat bars, cookies and a Patrick Mahomes-backed coffee brand. Show notes: 0:15: Shu-Cation. Spin-Cycle. Moo-Money. Meet-Up. Fruit-y Tea. – Ray is still MIA, but Mike is here to handle his responsibilities. The hosts discuss the discontinuation of Spindrift Spiked and speculate on the reasons behind the...
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Why Brightland Said ‘No’ to Whole Foods – Twice – And Grew Anyway
Taste Radio
Aishwarya Iyer built one of the fastest-growing premium CPG brands by doing what many startups overlook: putting product integrity, brand trust, and strategic timing ahead of rapid retail expansion. In this episode, Aishwarya, the founder and CEO of admired pantry staples company Brightland, shares how discovering a major gap in the olive oil industry sparked the creation of her mission-driven, design-forward brand. She dives into her philosophy of disciplined growth, reveals why she turned down Whole Foods twice, and explains why building a lasting business starts with knowing your customer...
info_outlineConvenience and quality don’t always go hand in hand, but Tip Top Cocktails is changing that perception, one perfectly crafted drink at a time.
Founded in 2019, Tip Top is an Atlanta-based brand known for its spirit-forward, bar-quality offerings. Childhood friends Yoni Reisman and Neal Cohen launched the company with a simple mission: make great cocktails more accessible, no bartender required.
Tip Top’s lineup includes time-honored classics like the Old Fashioned, Negroni, and Margarita, as well as modern favorites such as the Paper Plane, Penicillin, and Naked & Famous. Each cocktail is precisely mixed and served in a sleek 100 mL lowball-style can.
The products are available in over 25 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., and carried by national retailers such as Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Gelson’s Markets, and Total Wine & More. Amid a rapidly expanding market for RTD cocktails, Tip Top has earned high praise from The New York Times, Food & Wine, and other publications. Perhaps surprisingly, the company hasn’t taken any institutional funding to date.
In this episode, Yoni and Neal share how an idea sparked on the music festival circuit evolved into a fast-growing brand with national reach. Their journey is a case study in bootstrapping, brand discipline, and building loyalty through an unwavering commitment to quality and customer experience.
Show notes:
0:25: Interview: Neal Cohen & Yoni Reisman, Co-Founders, Tip Top Cocktails – The co-founders discuss how Tip Top’s origins stem from Yoni's time in the music festival scene, recruiting award-winning bartender Miles Macquarrie to help develop the cocktails and how they emphasized authentic, balanced flavors and supported that with retro-inspired branding and educational elements like listing ingredients. Neal and Yoni also talk about Tip Top’s collaborations with renowned bartenders such as Sam Ross and Joaquín Simó and how it reinforced the brand’s credibility and dedication to cocktail culture. They also explain how Tip Top has relied on grassroots marketing, standout packaging, and word-of-mouth to build its brand, with its 100 mL can seen as both stylish and practical and how the company has earned respect within the hospitality industry and among professional bartenders. They explain why they continue to personally taste each batch of cocktails and have scrapped full runs when standards weren’t met and how “building a brand people would truly miss” if it left the market is their North Star.
Brands in this episode: Tip Top Cocktails, Straightaway Cocktails, Post Meridiem