Brew Buzz: Terrapin Moves Brewing, Collagen Tea Expands and Cooper Kupp Bets on Coffee

Three quick stories from beer, tea and coffee.

Terrapin Is Staying Open, But Its Beer Will No Longer Be Brewed in Athens

Terrapin Beer Co. is staying in Athens, Georgia, but its large-scale brewing operation is moving.

Tilray Brands is shifting production out of Terrapin’s 100,000-square-foot Athens facility and into other breweries within its network. The Athens taproom will remain open, with the transition reportedly beginning September 25.

The move is part of Tilray’s larger effort to consolidate production and reduce costs across its craft beer portfolio.

It also shows another side of what’s happening in craft beer right now. The changes aren’t limited to breweries closing. Companies are finding ways to keep brands and taprooms around while producing the actual beer somewhere else.

For Terrapin, the name and Athens taproom remain. The operation behind the brand is changing.

Collagen Iced Tea Is Going Nationwide at Target

Pretty Tasty is taking its collagen-infused iced tea to a much bigger audience.

The brand is expanding into roughly 1,960 Target stores nationwide, its largest retail expansion so far. Pretty Tasty was already available through Sprouts and other natural-food retailers and distributors.

The Target deal puts the brand squarely in front of mainstream shoppers and comes as functional drinks continue taking up more space on store shelves.

Tea is increasingly part of that market. Instead of selling only flavor, caffeine or refreshment, brands are adding ingredients tied to wellness and beauty.

Pretty Tasty is betting that shoppers want both in the same can.

Cooper Kupp Is Building a Coffee Business

Cooper Kupp is getting deeper into the coffee business.

The Seattle Seahawks receiver and his family are preparing to open a new flagship location for Dodo Coffee in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on August 29.

Dodo previously lost its original storefront to eminent domain and spent time operating from a mobile trailer while working toward a new permanent home.

What makes the story interesting is Kupp’s involvement. This isn’t simply an athlete licensing his name to a coffee product. Kupp and his family are involved in an operating coffee company focused on its physical shop, sourcing and growing the business.

Athlete-backed food and beverage brands are nothing new. Dodo is worth watching because Kupp appears interested in building an actual coffee company, not just endorsing one.