• Generous Brands to Acquire Health-Ade Kombucha, Doubling Down on Premium, High-Growth Functional Beverages

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    Posted on 07.22.2025

    Generous Brands to Acquire Health-Ade Kombucha, Doubling Down on Premium, High-Growth Functional Beverages

    Acquisition unlocks significant growth potential, strengthens go-to-market capabilities, and creates a portfolio of leading brands nearing $1 billion in retail sales LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Generous Brands, a Butterfly portfolio company and a leader…

  • Kingswood Capital Management and First Bev Complete Investment in G FUEL, Providing Capital for Growth

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    Posted on 11.16.2023

    Kingswood Capital Management and First Bev Complete Investment in G FUEL, Providing Capital for Growth

    LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Kingswood Capital Management and First Bev announced today a significant cash investment in G FUEL, the market leader in energy drinks targeting the 3+ billion global gamer community. Precise terms…

  • Leading Beverage Brand Health-Ade Announces Acquisition and Growth Financing

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    Posted on 08.16.2021

    Leading Beverage Brand Health-Ade Announces Acquisition and Growth Financing

    First Bev and Manna Tree Lead Investor Group and Appoint Jack Belsito as CEO Health-Ade, a sales leader and pioneer in kombucha beverages, today announced that longstanding partner First Bev has acquired…

  • First Bev Announces Sale of Essentia to Nestlé

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    Posted on 03.09.2021

    First Bev Announces Sale of Essentia to Nestlé

    First Bev, a private equity firm focused exclusively on the beverage industry with offices in Los Angeles and New York, is pleased to announce the sale of Essentia Water, a premium functional…

  • First Bev Announces Promotion of Joe Angiuli

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    Posted on 07.15.2020

    First Bev Announces Promotion of Joe Angiuli

    Los Angeles, CA – July 15, 2020 – First Bev today announced that Joe Angiuli has been promoted to the title of Principal.   “Joe has been a valuable part of our…

  • A Behind the Scenes Look at Beverage Investing During COVID-19

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    Posted on 05.14.2020

    A Behind the Scenes Look at Beverage Investing During COVID-19

    BevSource.com An Interview with industry veteran, Bob Nakasone, Managing Director at First Beverage Group Managing one beverage brand during this time of accelerated change and uncertainty is challenging, but what is it…

  • OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder Shares The Story Behind His CBD Sparkling Water, MAD TASTY – And Its Creation At Interscope Records

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    Posted on 02.06.2020

    OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder Shares The Story Behind His CBD Sparkling Water, MAD TASTY – And Its Creation At Interscope Records

    Forbes.com By Javier Hasse “I do not want to be another name in a hat or another brand jumping on the bandwagon. We have to be different,” said Ryan Tedder, lead vocalist…

  • BevNET Live Winter 2020 Breakout: “No,” “Low” and “Better-For-You” Beverage Alcohol Evolves

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    Posted on 02.03.2020

    BevNET Live Winter 2020 Breakout: “No,” “Low” and “Better-For-You” Beverage Alcohol Evolves

    BevNET.com For beverage entrepreneurs, it’s just as important to listen to what consumers don’t want as what they do want. And, increasingly, what they are hearing is “less alcohol.” As the trend…

  • First Bev Invests in MAD TASTY

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    Posted on 12.17.2019

    First Bev Invests in MAD TASTY

    First Bev is very pleased to announce its investment in MAD TASTY, a line of hemp-infused, zero sugar, functional sparkling waters.  Founded by musician and songwriter Ryan Tedder, lead singer of OneRepublic, MAD…

  • Three Key Takeaways About the Future of Retail: Selling Online, In-Store and Both

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    Posted on 09.05.2019

    Three Key Takeaways About the Future of Retail: Selling Online, In-Store and Both

    Entrepreneur.com: By Michelle Finizio It’s no surprise to anyone tuned into the current retail environment that A/B testing and having direct-to-consumer strategies and clear online purchase funnels are a regular reality of any up-and-coming…

  • Tips From The Top: One On One With Amy Hoopes

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    Posted on 07.29.2019

    Tips From The Top: One On One With Amy Hoopes

    Thriveglobal.com: By Adam Mendler I spoke to Amy Hoopes, president of the oldest, continuously operated family-owned winery in the country, Wente Family Estates, about her journey and best advice Adam: Thanks again…

  • What Are Beverage Investors Looking for Right Now?

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    Posted on 05.15.2019

    What Are Beverage Investors Looking for Right Now?

    Bevsource.com: An Interview with Bob Nakasone, Managing Director at First Beverage Group  In the process of developing and growing a beverage business, many entrepreneurs will seek out external sources of capital. While…

  • Craft Brew Alliance Taps Christine Perich as Chief Financial and Strategy Officer

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    Posted on 03.28.2019

    Craft Brew Alliance Taps Christine Perich as Chief Financial and Strategy Officer

    Brewbound.com: By Chris Furnari Craft Brew Alliance today announced the hiring of longtime beverage industry veteran Christine Perich, who will take over as the company’s chief financial and strategy officer on April…

  • Jill Jones and Amy Hoopes Join First Beverage Group’s Board of Directors

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    Posted on 12.17.2018

    Jill Jones and Amy Hoopes Join First Beverage Group’s Board of Directors

    First Beverage Ventures is pleased to announce its investment in Laws Whiskey House, a Colorado whiskey distiller committed to the production of top quality American whiskies crafted from local grains and aged at high elevation that deliver a regionally distinctive rocky mountain profile.

  • First Beverage Ventures Invests in Laws Whiskey House

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    Posted on 06.27.2018

    First Beverage Ventures Invests in Laws Whiskey House

    First Beverage Ventures is pleased to announce its investment in Laws Whiskey House, a Colorado whiskey distiller committed to the production of top quality American whiskies crafted from local grains and aged…

  • Ex-Voss CEO Jack Belsito Joins First Beverage Ventures

    news

    Posted on 05.30.2018

    Ex-Voss CEO Jack Belsito Joins First Beverage Ventures

    BevNET.com: By Martin Caballero Roughly six months after departing premium water brand Voss of Norway as CEO, beverage industry veteran Jack Belsito has joined private equity firm First Beverage Ventures as a…

  • First Beverage Group’s Investment Banking Team Merges with Cascadia Capital

    news

    Posted on 03.05.2018

    First Beverage Group’s Investment Banking Team Merges with Cascadia Capital

    First Beverage Group: First Beverage Group today announced that its investment banking division, First Beverage Financial, is merging with Seattle-based Cascadia Capital, one of the nation’s leading middle market investment banking firms….

  • First Beverage Ventures Invests in VitaCup

    news

    Posted on 03.01.2018

    First Beverage Ventures Invests in VitaCup

    First Beverage Group: First Beverage Ventures is pleased to announce its investment in VitaCup, a vitamin-infused coffee and tea company. First Beverage served as the lead investor in the equity raise recently…

  • Beverage Investor Pins Hopes on Hard Stuff

    news

    Posted on 08.04.2017

    Beverage Investor Pins Hopes on Hard Stuff

    Los Angeles Business Journal: By Caroline Anderson A Century City-based investment bank that has focused on backing startups making nonalcoholic beverages is growing up a little for its second fund. First Beverage…

  • First Beverage Closes $64M Second Fund

    news

    Posted on 07.21.2017

    First Beverage Closes $64M Second Fund

    BevNET.com: First Beverage Ventures, the private equity arm of advising and consulting firm First Beverage Group, has closed its second fund at a total of $64 million, according to paperwork filed with…

  • First Beverage Invests in Mezcal Brand, GEM&BOLT

    news

    Posted on 05.24.2017

    First Beverage Invests in Mezcal Brand, GEM&BOLT

    BEVNET: By Ray Latif First Beverage Ventures, the private equity arm of First Beverage Group, today announced an investment in mezcal brand Gem & Bolt, marking the first time that the firm…

  • First Beverage Scholarship Recipients Announced

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    Posted on 03.10.2017

    First Beverage Scholarship Recipients Announced

    First Beverage Group: First Beverage Group is proud to partner for a second year with The Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Beer Industry Operations program by offering the First Beverage Group Scholarship…

  • Bob Nakasone Joins First Beverage Ventures

    news

    Posted on 01.06.2017

    Bob Nakasone Joins First Beverage Ventures

    BevNET.com: Martín Caballero First Beverage Group has found a second generation for its equity arm. Following the departures of Nantucket Nectars co-founder Tom First and former Glaceau executive Jason Camillos last year, the firm’s…

  • First Beverage Ventures Announces New Team Members

    news

    Posted on 11.30.2016

    First Beverage Ventures Announces New Team Members

    First Beverage Group: First Beverage Ventures, the private equity arm of First Beverage Group, is pleased to announce that Kyle Wheeler has joined the firm as managing partner and head of the…

  • M&A Will Stay Robust: Another 25-30 Deals Likely in 2017; New Buyers, Creative Structures Comin’; “Anxiety” Effects

    news

    Posted on 11.16.2016

    M&A Will Stay Robust: Another 25-30 Deals Likely in 2017; New Buyers, Creative Structures Comin’; “Anxiety” Effects

    Craft Brew News: 2016 will go down as 2d consecutive year of exceptionally robust M&A activity in the craft beer biz, with another 25-30 deals likely by year-end (already about that much…

  • First Beverage Group Invests in Q Drinks

    news

    Posted on 03.09.2016

    First Beverage Group Invests in Q Drinks

    First Beverage Group: First Beverage Ventures, the private equity arm of First Beverage Group, has made an investment in Q Drinks, America’s leading producer of premium carbonated mixers, as part of an…

  • First Beverage Group Announces New Scholarship Fund

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    Posted on 12.02.2015

    First Beverage Group Announces New Scholarship Fund

    First Beverage Group: First Beverage Group, a financial services firm dedicated to the beverage industry, is pleased to announce the establishment of First Beverage Scholars, a scholarship fund developed to benefit students…

  • First Beverage Group Releases Second Video from [Blue Box], its Inaugural Beverage Industry Conference

    news

    Posted on 10.20.2015

    First Beverage Group Releases Second Video from [Blue Box], its Inaugural Beverage Industry Conference

    First Beverage Group: Los Angeles, CA – October 20, 2015 – First Beverage Group is pleased to announce the release of the second in a series of videos from [Blue Box], the company’s…

  • First Beverage Raising Second Fund; VEB Likely Re-Investing

    news

    Posted on 06.22.2015

    First Beverage Raising Second Fund; VEB Likely Re-Investing

    BevNET.com: First Beverage Ventures has exhausted its first fund and is now looking to raise a second. Started in April, 2013, First Beverage Ventures is the direct investment part of founder Bill…

  • First Beverage Group Invests in Drizly

    news

    Posted on 05.29.2015

    First Beverage Group Invests in Drizly

    First Beverage Ventures, the private equity arm of First Beverage Group, has made an investment in Drizly, a technology company powering a superior shopping experience for beer, wine and liquor. First Beverage…

  • First Beverage Concludes Inaugural [Blue Box] Conference

    news

    Posted on 05.22.2015

    First Beverage Concludes Inaugural [Blue Box] Conference

    First Beverage Group: First Beverage Group’s first annual beverage industry conference, Blue Box, took place May 17-19 at the St. Julien Hotel in Boulder, Colorado. The conference was attended by key influencers…

  • First Beverage Group Joins Team Drizly

    news

    Posted on 05.18.2015

    First Beverage Group Joins Team Drizly

    Wine & Spirits Daily: Alcohol delivery service Drizly has secured another $13 million in financing from a group of investors including private equity First Beverage Group. Polaris Partners was the primary investor…

  • First Beverage Founder: Flood of Craft Deals Forthcoming

    news

    Posted on 05.13.2015

    First Beverage Founder: Flood of Craft Deals Forthcoming

    Brewbound: Here’s a bold prediction: 25 craft brewery transactions in the next 12 months. At least, that’s what Bill Anderson, the founder and CEO of investment and advisory firm First Beverage Group,…