On & Off

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?

The Natural Wine Trend

In this episode we talk about natural wines with Steve Charters, Master of Wine and professor at the School of Wine & Spirits Business in Dijon, France. Steve shares his thoughts on the lack of a uniform definition of natural wines, why the style has become more significant in recent years and how it appeals to the new generations of wine drinkers.

Agave Spirits Beyond Tequila

In this episode we talk with Maxwell Reis, beverage director of Mirate restaurant and bar in Los Feliz, CA. Mirate boasts an agave spirits-led program that shines a spotlight on Mexican producers. Max shares insight from travels to Mexico, his commitment to showcasing authentic, sustainably sourced spirits, how he makes exotic spirits approachable and “edu-tains” guests, and his predictions for the next hot agave spirits.

Getting a Grasp on Gin

In our first podcast devoted to gin, we talk with Brendan Bartley, the head bartender and beverage director at the renowned speakeasy Bathtub Gin and the creator of Botanery Barn Distilling’s new Revivalist Garden Gin. We discuss the challenges in getting people to overcome their apprehension about gin, the new and different gin styles, brands and botanicals and why this year could finally be the spirit’s time to break out.