Heidi Dillon is a mover and shaker who’s innovated in the functional foods sector, launched energy bars, and is now coming for the drinks sector — alc and non-alc alike. 

She’s the managing director of Distill Ventures, a company that supports founders and helps grow drinks businesses — and she was tapped to come in and turbo-charge the low- and no-alcohol landscape.

In this episode, she discusses why generic is out, and storytelling around ingredients and a sense of place and authenticity is in, and why beverage entrepreneurs need to understand the changing demographics of the market if they’re going to succeed. 

She also discusses how the new craft beverages connect with food, ingredient and wellness trends, and how founders of successful non-alc drinks are taking a whole new approach to hedonism. Most importantly, she reveals where the financial opportunities are to be found in this space, from emerging trends to what will help brands earn a place on the shelf.

Best of all, she’s an engaging guest who is more than willing to help Business of Drinks do what it is known for — following the money.

Stay tuned for our next episode dropping on November 8, 2023. 

Shoutout to our sponsor! A big round of thanks to AccelPay — a leading ecommerce solution for bev-alc brands. From a one-tap, compliant checkout to comprehensive sales data, Accelpay has you covered and can make your existing website a storefront. For an exclusive 10% off your account, visit: https://www.accelpay.io/bod

For more on the Millennial and Gen Z drinking behaviors report we discuss in the episode, it's available for purchase and download at Research & Markets: ⁠https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/5892638/millennials-gen-z-comprehensive-study-alcohol

About Erica Duecy, host:

Erica Duecy is co-founder of Business of Drinks, and one of the drinks industry’s most accomplished digital and content strategists. She has built publishing and marketing programs for Drizly, VinePair, SevenFifty, and other hospitality and drinks tech companies. She also has led digital editorial teams at Architectural Digest and Saveur magazines. Her content, podcast, and video programs have won more than 40 digital and editorial awards. She is a WSET Advanced-certified wine and spirits communicator, and author of the cocktail book Storied Sips (Random House), about the real-life stories behind the world’s most famous cocktails. 

To learn more about Erica Duecy:

https://www.instagram.com/ericaduecy/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-duecy-4a35844/

https://twitter.com/ericaduecy

About Felicity Carter, host:

Felicity Carter is co-founder of Business of Drinks. Also the Editorial Director of Areni Global, the London-based fine wine think tank, she was previously Editor-in-Chief of Meininger’s Wine Business International, a trade magazine she built into a global must-read, with subscribers in 38 countries. She is a regular media commentator, appearing on platforms as diverse as CNN, France24 and the New York Times, and has consulted to New Zealand Wine and the Dutch government. Felicity is an international wine judge as well as a regular keynote speaker at the wine industry’s biggest conferences and events. Her work has appeared in The GuardianUS, The Sydney Morning Herald and numerous other publications. 

To learn more about Felicity Carter:

https://twitter.com/felicitycarter

https://www.linkedin.com/in/felicity-carter-a5754380/

https://www.instagram.com/carter.felicity/

And if you like what you heard, help us spread the word! Follow Business of Drinks, and rate and review our episodes on any platform where you’re listening. It helps us find new listeners. Thank you!