The energy was palpable once again surrounding the 2d-ever joint meeting hosted by BREW (Building Relationships and Empowering Women) and Alliance for Women in Beer, looking to further "attract, connect and elevate" women in the beer biz. Following NBWA's annual convention at Caeser's Palace in Las Vegas, opening reception for BREW/Alliance for Women in Beer Tuesday night drew a particularly sizable and lively crowd from across the industry, INSIGHTS observed. And Wednesday's meeting hosted 335 attendees representing all 3 tiers and adjacent industries, NBWA cco Kim McKinnish shared to kick off the mtg. Men made up over 15% of the attendees, she added, as orgs continue to stress importance of participation from men in these conversations and meetings. Kim re-emphasized several stats/studies that show more inclusive offices lead to better results too. Meeting featured key execs from across top beer suppliers, distribs and retailers, up and coming brands and other successful businesswomen sharing their stories of managing successful careers in traditionally male-dominated industries.

Consumer price index for beer increased 4.7% in Sep vs yr ago. That's up from increases of 4.2% in Aug and 4.3% in Jul. Inflation remains stubborn as prices rose more than anticipated last month. CPI for all items up 3.7% in Sep vs yr ago, matching increase for Aug, and ahead of hikes in Jul and Jun. CPI for distilled spirits rose 3% in Sep vs yr ago, its highest increase YTD. CPI increase for wine accelerated slightly as well in Sep to +1.4%. YTD thru Sep, CPI for beer up 5.8% while inflation rose 4.4%. CPI for spirits and wine up 2.1% and 2.2% respectively Jan-Sep.

Deals are starting to pop again. Fuhrer Wholesale, 15.5-mil-case Pittsburgh distrib that sells both AB and Coors, will buy neighboring Von's United Bev, an approx 1-mil-case AB wholesaler in Johnstown, PA. Deal announced to employees, pending supplier approval. Von's also sells Yuengling, Heineken and New Belgium. Fuhrer just recently opened its new 300K sq ft warehouse that cost $55 mil, according to Pittsburgh Tribune Review. After the passing of founder Frank Fuhrer last yr, the company is clearly taking steps forward under leadership of ceo Frank Fuhrer III. This is 2d AB distrib deal in Oct, after the West Side/Atlas deal in MI.

Whole Foods has picked up Fever-Tree's new mixer line, which is packed in 750-ml bottles and offered in Classic Bloody Mary Mix, Classic Margarita Mix and Light Margarita Mix. Natural chain already carries such core offerings as Tonic, Light Tonic, Ginger Beer, Club Soda, Sparkling Pink Grapefruit, Elderflower Tonic and Ginger Ale . . . Odyssey Elixir has forged pair of key partnerships in heartland states that will support addition of over 6,000 retail doors. Newly aboard in Ohio is Heidelberg Distributing, which services about 9,100 off-premise accounts, roughly split between chains and indies.

JDE Peet's Stumptown Coffee brand has hopped aboard Alaska Airlines offering custom version of its core Holler Mountain blend that's specially tuned for high-altitude consumption. Alaska's medium-dark blend keeps primary focus on a roast that mellows acidity and introduces just enough toastiness to please a wide range of palates, per announcement. Another consideration was its versatility, to be served black or with dairy creamer or oatmilk, now an option on flights, and to pair well with Biscoff cookies offered on the planes. To get to right version, partners brewed over 200 pots of coffee while testing 20+ variables including changes in grind, dose, filter paper and filter-pack dimensions. The custom roast will be available exclusively on all Alaska flights starting this fall, with all flights offering it by Dec 1. Stumptown Holler Mountain, Hair Bender and decaf Trapper Creek also will served at Alaskan lounges in PDX and JFK . . . Energy drink called Wooooo! Energy that was cofounded by wrestling champ Ric Flair has signed on as official energy drink of Columbus Blue Jackets at Ohio's Nationwide Arena. The brand inspired by Flair's catchphrase goes out in 12-oz sleek cans sporting portrait of Flair in his heyday, and carries a hefty nutrient bill for its modest $24.95 price per 12-pk on website: 1.5 g proprietary blend of L-theanine, gotu kola extract, mushroom blend (lion's mane, cordyceps, chaga, turkey tail, shiitake, maitake, red reishi) along with 1.5 g of taurine and 150 mg of caffeine. It's out in Dragon Fruit, Lemon and Strawberry Banana. It's among brands operated by Carma HoldCo.

Planting Hope Co, which markets Hope & Sesame sesamemilk and just acquired Argo Tea brand, is undertaking Reg D private placement, a 3-year convertible note with $5,000 minimum investment and price reservation in place for 45 days or until round closes, whichever comes first . . . National copacker Wildpack Beverage has expanded its transaction with Sandton Capital Solutions by $5 mil more as it pushes to get to breakeven operation. The new tranche, at 15% interest rate, augments $25 mil first tranche that closed on May 30. The loans are secured by first priority lien on all assets of the Vancouver-based co that trades on Toronto exchange as CANS.

Researchers from Loma Linda University found bacteria levels higher than allowed by EPA in self-service soda fountains at food chains as well as vending machines and water taps in one area of Southern Calif, reported USA Today. Of 70 samples collected, researchers "found more than 40% of water samples from fast-food soda fountains had coliforms present, an indicator of contamination." Researchers wondered, just how widespread is this issue across US? "We cannot say that soda fountain contamination is only in the eastern Coachella Valley," said lead author Thomas Hile. Big question here though is source of contamination given that area where testing was done has experienced water pollution issues for some time. While local tap water sources could be source of contamination, researchers here point to plastic piping used to connect machines to tap water system as the possible cause. Article points out that a decade ago, a similar study in Virginia flagged the "lack of regulation of the tubing used in soda fountains and the lack of inspections of the beverage delivery systems" for bacteria. Patrick Guzzle, vp of food science at the Natl Restaurant Assn, told paper: "We encourage restaurant operators to work with their suppliers to know and understand the best ways to clean and sanitize all food contact surfaces in accordance with food code and prevailing local statutes, regulations and policies."

How much can you rely on dietary recs brought by scientists who're partly funded by food, pharma or weight loss companies or industry groups ? That's question that US Right to Know org poses in follow-the-money study released yesterday that found that 9 out of 20 members of Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee have conflicts of interest, with Abbott, Novo Nordisk, National Dairy Council, Eli Lilly and Weight Watchers Int'l each having ties to 2 or more DGAC members. An additional 4 members had possible conflicts of interest, per study. "With high-risk conflicts of interest still present on the DGAC, the public cannot have confidence that the official dietary advice from the US government is free from industry influence," concludes report. It did take encouragement from fact that 7 DGAC members had no confirmed or possible conflicts in past 5 years. Among other "industry actors" listed as having ties to DGAC members are Beyond Meat, Coca-Cola, MilkPEP, Indiana Dairy Assn and dietary supplement lobbyist Council for Responsible Nutrition.

Recover 180, revamped hydration brand now operating under aegis of entrepreneur Lance Collins, is aiming to build on disruption created by one of Collins' prior ventures, Body Armor, and by Prime Hydration by offering organically certified entries that "aid in performance and recovery before, during & after sports and life," as marketing materials exhort. "Made by nature" and "More than natural" are among marketing slogans new line will employ. We reported on return of brand founded by real estate developer and Casamigos cofounder Mike Meldman yesterday (tho we goofed in calling it Recovery 180 not Recover 180 - sheesh), and after demurring for several weeks Lance has offered us more specific info on launch. It's hotfill brand packed in 16-oz Amcor plastic bottles and going out initially in Super Berry, Watermelon, Fruit Punch, Kiwi Strawberry, Peach Mango and Lemon Lime flavors.