On & Off

Alcohol Travels and Trends

Hosts Melissa and Kyle talk about recent press trips and alcohol events, digging into major liquor store trends in the Midwest, Madeira wine, higher-proofed Irish whiskey, vintage-dated rum, cocktails made with beer AND/OR wine, and more. Then towards the end, Kyle shares work travel stories about New England sarcasm performing poorly in the Midwest, and why you shouldn't eat fettuccine alfredo on the open ocean.

Alcohol Shipping and Ecommerce in 2024

The world of alcohol shipping and ecommerce continues to evolve rapidly, settling into a new era in our post-Covid world. What's the current state of these two industries and their legal challenges? And what's next? For answers, we interviewed Jaci Flug, partner in the Hospitality, Alcohol, and Leisure Industry Group at Greenspoon Marder LLP, and previously general counsel and senior vice president at Drizly.

Whiskey and Store Bar Trends in 2024

What's the current state of the U.S. whiskey industry? For answers, we interviewed Marty Holland, store manager of The Party Source, a 65,000-square-foot independent beverage alcohol retailer in Bellevue, KY. The Party Source remains on the cutting edge of whiskey retail, including opening a new bar in the store that helps generate sales elsewhere in the business. Marty also discusses some of the other spirits trends he sees at the bar.

Running a Values-Driven Business Model at Fierce & Kind

In this episode, we talk with the founders of Fierce & Kind, a values-driven spirits company that puts supporting LGBTQ+ and other underserved communities (incarcerated individuals, female entrepreneurs) at the heart of its business model. Fierce & Kind donates 25% of all profits through its equity foundation to these important causes. Founders Cyndi Smith and Basem Harb discuss this way of doing business, and why it's important to the communities served, the broader consumer base, and the company itself.

Summer Travels and Drinks Trends

What's up with THC beverages? What do folks like to drink the most on cruise ships? Hosts Melissa Dowling and Kyle Swartz discuss drink trends from their summer travels, including the 2024 Beverage Alcohol Retailer Conference, and Melissa's recent press trip aboard Princess Cruises in the Mediterranean.

Selling Wine On- and Off-premises

Our guest for this episode is Master Sommelier Nick Hetzel, who is one of the founders of Wineaux, a new wine market and bar in southwest Las Vegas. Nick weighs in on popular wine styles, wine education, pairings and creating an experience for guests, as well as the challenges with operating an on- and off-premise wine business.

Talking Alcohol Trends with Southern Glazer’s Bridget Albert

How much growth is left for Ready-to-Drink beverages? What does cannabis descheduling mean for the alcohol industry? Was Sazerac smart to purchase BuzzBallz? We discuss all this and more in this episode, with Bridget Albert, senior director of external communications for the distributor Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits.

Alcohol Trends Among the Growth Brands Winners

Melissa and Kyle talk with Marina Velez, research director for our sister company, The Beverage Information Group. The discussion centers on the top alcohol trends among the 2024 Growth Brands Spirits and Wine winners. What helped lead these brands that sold and grew the most in the past year?