Hive20 using honey to innovate the RTD beverage space - Food Business News

SHERIDAN, WYO. — David Lolis, founder and chief executive officer of Hive20, is striving to build a sustainable company that uses ingredients perceived as natural and provides a “wow” factor to consumers.

The company manufactures ready-to-drink alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages that feature honey as the main ingredient. The alcoholic beverages come in such flavors as berry, peanut butter and jelly, ginger mule, and hoppy Penelope. The non-alcoholic beverage line features flavors from sour, wine, ginger beer and hops. The company also is working on developing a non-carbonated beverage line.

The hard honey, which launched in March 2021, is formulated using honey, fruit and is 6% alcohol by volume.

“We don’t use additives, preservatives, or chemicals of any kind to extend the life of the product,” Lolis said. “We lightly pasteurize the product in the cans to ensure no bacteria or spores exist and ensure the nutrient rich ingredients are kept intact.”

Lolis said he chose honey as the main ingredient due to its necessity for the planet.

“I picked honey because if we were going to take something away, I wanted to pick something that we could replenish just as much or more so,” he said.

Production of the beverages is through partnerships with regional distilleries and wineries.

“We’ve found partners as opposed to creating our own facility,” Lolis said. “So, we bring in our own equipment (and) teach them how to use it.

“It’s important that we use local companies that have been around for a long time. When they want to increase their business, sometimes it’s difficult for them. But if they produce our beverages, they can increase their bottom line.”

Marketed as a premium brand, Lolis said he believes Hive20 sits where it should in the natural retail channel at retailers like Sprouts Farmers Market and Bristol Farms.

The company also is working on developing a direct-to-consumer market as well.

“We’re working on a honey drink package,” Lolis said. “A honey pack with a honey drink and some honey that you can have with tea. It will be (offered) through Amazon. We’ll be launching in April.”

The company has found a unique marketing opportunity sponsoring polo matches.

“We sponsor the halftime show called the divot stomp,” Lolis said. “Horses turn up the grass during the game and create divots, and so the fans go out to the field and stomp in the divots. It’s been Champagne that people drink at the half time show, but now they can enjoy both our hard and alcohol-free beverages.”

Lolis added that growth will come to Hive20 through added distribution.

“We’re looking at the eastern seaboard and the north,” he said.

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