What happens when a Marvel superhero and an indie filmmaker ditch the script and attempt to build the next great beverage brand?

In this episode, actor Wyatt Russell – best known for his role as U.S. Agent in the Marvel film “Thunderbolts” – and producer Richard Peete pull back the curtain on their journey launching Lake Hour, a fast-growing canned cocktail brand that’s making waves far beyond the red carpet.

What began as a lighthearted idea in a hot tub quickly evolved into a deep dive into flavor formulation, production logistics, and the steep learning curve of the beverage alcohol world. Wyatt and Richard share the unfiltered realities of entrepreneurship and how they’ve stayed focused on creating a premium product that resonates with today’s drinkers.

Show notes:

0:25: Interview: Wyatt Russell & Richard Peete, Co-Founders, Lake Hour – Wyatt reveals he's currently in London filming an upcoming Marvel movie, while Richard is preparing for a short-term move to Vancouver. The co-founders reflect on how Lake Hour began as a side project and quickly evolved into a full-time venture, one that proved far more challenging than they initially expected. Despite their Hollywood backgrounds, Wyatt and Richard emphasize that Lake Hour is not a celebrity-driven brand. Instead, they are deeply involved in every aspect of the business, from product development to marketing. Wyatt, notably, chooses not to maintain a personal public Instagram account, but remains active behind the scenes, supporting the brand’s social media efforts. They attribute Lake Hour’s steady growth to strong execution, a commitment to quality, and a focus on unique flavor profiles like Rosemary Yuzu and Earl Grey Vodka Iced Tea. As the company looks ahead to a Series A raise, it’s preparing to scale intentionally and bring on a Chief Marketing Officer to support the next phase of growth.

Brands in this episode: Lake Hour, Lake Hour, BuzzBallz, Betty Booze, Twisted Tea, High Noon, White Claw, BeatBox, Archer Roose, Bell’s Brewery, Surfside

Gen Z is reshaping the frozen food game… and they’re not settling for TV dinners. But while they’re hungry for health and convenience, there's a catch: the price tag. Can wellness-focused frozen meals stay accessible, or are they becoming a luxury in disguise? The hosts discuss, and also sample Korean-style hard seltzers, culturally-inspired craft sodas and a potentially game-changing brand of non-alcoholic spirits.

Show notes:

0:35: Voice Nail. A Notable List. Investors Here. Bites & Chews. So Long, Stouffer’s. Trash Panda. NA Negronis. – The hosts chat about disliking the sound of their own voices before spotlighting the release of the 2025 NOSH Notables list, which honors leaders and innovators in food. They also highlight the number of investors registered for Taste Radio’s Chicago Meetup, which takes place on August 14. Mike and John discuss standout finds from a recent UNFI show, including latke-inspired crisps, “baguette bites,” and low-sugar gummies. The hosts then turn their attention toward the growing trend of premium frozen meals and note the balance between health, convenience, and cost as a key consumer concern. They wrap up the show with a sampling of a hard seltzer made with fermented rice, a Twizzler-style candy brand, and a brand of alcohol alternatives that de-alcoholizes wine and spirits to create products that closely mimic whiskey, Campari, mezcal and more.

Brands in this episode: Hoste Cocktails, Chomps, Little Latke, YAW!, Happy Candy, Better Sour, Behave, Stouffer’s, Hungry Man, Vital Pursuit, Blue Zones Kitchen, Scott & Jon’s, Mason Dixie Foods, SWRL, Afro Pop, Froot Thief, Twizzlers, Undone Drinks, Campari, Aperol

The latest episode of Taste Radio’s Elevator Talk spotlights innovative leaders from Sohha Savory, Coro Foods, La Pêche, SaladSprinkles, and Cedar F&B.

In this installment, founders and CEOs introduce their brands and share recent company updates and milestones. This week’s special co-host is Beth Brown, founder and principal advisor at growth-stage consultancy S3 Connect. She offers insightful questions, thoughtful feedback, and strategic perspective alongside regular host Ray Latif, editor and producer of the Taste Radio podcast.

Early-stage food and beverage entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply for future episodes of Elevator Talk. Participation is free, interviews are conducted remotely, and it’s a unique opportunity to pitch your product, share news, and receive expert feedback from industry leaders.

Apply now to be featured in an upcoming episode.