First Bev Makes Growth Investment in MAD TASTY

InvestBev Provides Eight-Figure Financing to Registered Distillery One

May 13, 2025

Food & Beverage

InvestBev, via its private credit arm InvestBev Credit, closed an eight-figure financing agreement with Registered Distillery One (RD1), a Kentucky-based bourbon distillery. The financing will support RD1's ongoing expansion and growth initiatives, with InvestBev Credit highlighting its recent deployment of nearly $30 million in 2025 to beverage operators and barrel owners.

Kingswood Capital and First Bev Invest in G FUEL

November 16, 2023

Food & Beverage

Kingswood Capital Management and First Bev completed an eight-figure growth equity investment in G FUEL, the gamer-focused energy drink brand, and named Bryan Crowley as CEO. The capital will support scaling the brand, expanding distribution and international reach while the company's founder and COO remain in the leadership team.

E. & J. Gallo Winery Acquires Bev

June 1, 2023

Food & Beverage

E. & J. Gallo Winery has acquired Bev, the woman-founded canned-wine and spritzer brand founded by Alix Peabody in Venice, California. The deal expands Gallo's portfolio into Bev's premium zero-sugar canned wines and aims to broaden the brand's consumer reach and distribution; terms were not disclosed and Peabody will remain involved with the brand.

First Bev and Manna Tree Acquire Controlling Stake in Health-Ade

August 16, 2021

Food & Beverage

First Bev acquired a controlling stake in Health-Ade with investment backing from Manna Tree; financial terms were not disclosed. Jack Belsito (First Bev) will become CEO while co-founder Daina Trout transitions to Chief Mission Officer as the company pursues further domestic and international retail expansion.

Nestlé USA Acquires Essentia Water from First Bev

March 9, 2021

Food & Beverage

Nestlé USA has acquired Essentia Water, the premium alkaline/functional bottled water brand, from private equity firm First Bev. Terms were not disclosed; First Bev praised the brand’s growth under its ownership and founder Ken Uptain for building a strong consumer platform. Nestlé said the deal expands its presence in the premium functional water segment.

Ceres Natural Remedies Acquires Tretap Beverage Company

February 5, 2019

Food & Beverage

Ceres Natural Remedies, a Vermont-based retailer and producer of hemp-derived CBD products, has acquired Vermont sparkling maple water maker trētap (Tretap). The acquisition brings together Ceres’s CBD retail and product capabilities with Tretap’s organic maple-based sparkling beverage portfolio to develop new CBD-infused sparkling maple water products and expand distribution across grocery, convenience and natural retail channels.