In this episode, Bud and Mike recap their recent trip to the 87th NBWA Annual Convention. Fresh off the red-eye and still buzzing from the energy of the event, they dive into key takeaways for beer distributors navigating the evolving landscape of on-premise sales in a post-COVID world.

The duo breaks down the insights shared by industry heavyweights on a panel featuring Robbie Maletis (Maletis Beverage), Jim Koch (Sam Adams), Alexander Bergson (Manhattan Beer Distributors LLC), and moderator Lester Jones (NBWA). Topics include the resurgence of draft beer, the importance of curating tap selections, and the need to rethink traditional on-premise strategies. They explore why fewer, better-chosen draft handles can drive both profitability and consumer satisfaction.

Bud and Mike also share candid reflections on their personal experiences from the event, including the challenges of cross-country red-eye travel, lively encounters in San Diego, and even a rickshaw negotiation gone wrong!

Key Takeaways:

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome and Happy Birthday Mike

03:20 Reflections on the MBWA Convention

06:30 Economic Trends in the On-Premise Beer Market

09:17 The Importance of On-Premise Accounts

12:15 Events and Engagement Strategies

15:21 Profitability and Delivery Minimums

18:12 The Complexity of Draft Beer Choices

21:33 Curating Beer Selections for Better Sales

24:12 Optimizing On-Premise Accounts

27:20 Closing Thoughts and Future Directions

Tune in to hear all this and more, as Bud and Mike share stories, laughs, and actionable insights for your sales team!