February 20, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Editorial Contact:
Kent Hanson @ Hanson Wilson Associates, Inc.
P (847) 292-2032 F (847) 292-2042
Corporate Contact:
Bill Daker @ Cool Mountain Beverages, Inc.
P (888) 838-7632 F (847) 759-9332
www.coolmountain.com

Cool Mountain Beverages, Inc. Appoints C.A. Fortune as Midwest Broker for Cool Mountain Gourmet Soda

DES PLAINES, IL (February 20, 2002) - Cool Mountain Beverages, Inc. has appointed C.A. Fortune and Co., Bloomingdale, IL, as the broker for Cool Mountain Gourmet Soda in the Midwestern United States. "C.A. Fortune provides unparalleled coverage of specialty food distributors and retail outlets in the Midwest, delivering the type of quality representation Cool Mountain needs to achieve its ambitious growth goals," says Bill Daker, President and CEO of Cool Mountain Beverages, Inc. "Their proven ability to execute at the retail and distributor levels-and their commitment to be engaged, hands-on, and responsive in providing service-is exactly what we are looking for to assure that our own relationships with consumers stay at a high level as we continue to expand aggressively here and abroad." Daker expects that the partnership with C.A. Fortune will drive the Midwest forward as a leading region for Cool Mountain Gourmet Soda growth. "Even though we're based in the Midwest, our performance in the markets there has been somewhat inconsistent-even though our Midwest sales have been strong," Daker notes. "Now that we have a true marketing partner like C.A. Fortune close at hand, we expect to see sales grow vigorously-and with much greater consistency-in the major Midwest markets." C.A. Fortune's record of success in handling its strong portfolio of consumer goods brands is, according to Daker, what inspires this belief.

Cool Mountain Beverages, Inc. licenses and markets Cool Mountain Gourmet Soda throughout the United States and Canada. Cool Mountain Gourmet Soda comes in a dazzling array of brilliantly colored flavors-Razzberry, Green Apple, Orange, Strawberry, Black Cherry, Grape, Cream Soda, and Root Beer, along with summer brews Watermelon, Lime, Tangerine, Kiwi, and Honey Frosted Lemonade. Headquartered in Des Plaines, Illinois, Cool Mountain Beverages has established a strong reputation for both their superior products and socially responsible approach to business. The company, which features legendary Brule/Sicangu Sioux Chief Hollow Horn Bear at the heart its Cool Mountain Soda logo, contributes 1% of its net proceeds to the American Indian College Fund.