US non-alc beer business RationAle Brewing has formed a “strategic growth alliance” with beverage incubator LA Libations and brand builder Homestead Brands.
The California-based business announced the tie-ups alongside the launch of its first priced seed financing round.
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In a statement yesterday (29 October), RationAle said the moves are designed to “support accelerated retail development, priority-market expansion and the company’s next stage of growth heading into 2027”.
The company did not disclose the size of the round nor the financial terms.
However, it added the seed round will give more than 100 early investors a route to convert their outstanding investments into equity.
Meanwhile, the tie-ups with LA Libations and Homestead Brands is intended to leverage their “commercialisation, retail and market-development capabilities”, the statement said.
RationAle also cited NIQ data showing it is growing at five times the rate of the US non-alc craft beer category.
RationAle Brewing co-founder and CCO Wendy Pickett said: “Our confidence comes from what consumers and retailers are telling us through the data.
“In an increasingly crowded category, getting on the shelf isn’t enough – you have to move once you get there. We’re delivering velocity, earning repeat purchases and demonstrating that RationAle can help retailers grow the broader NA craft beer category.”
RationAle was launched in 2022. The company brews its non-alcoholic beer in partnership with Asahi Group Holdings and sells via select retail chains across 15 states.
It is also working to expand its “innovation pipeline”, the company confirmed.
LA Libations CEO and co-founder Danny Stepper said: “RationAle has built a strong brand foundation with genuine consumer demand and proven retail velocity.
“We believe the brand is at the right stage for us to bring our relationships, resources and experience alongside the team to accelerate what is already working.”
Founded in 2009, LA Libations operates as a CPG brand incubator and accelerator focused on health-conscious consumers.
In August, private-equity firm Axum Capital Partners partnered with the incubator to give the companies in its portfolio “direct access to world-class expertise across brand strategy, commercialisation, operations, retail expansion and distribution”.
Last year, LA Libations also invested in US firm Just Ice Tea.
