Harry's Pod.com

--- Panel ---
Harry is joined by NBWA chief Craig Purser to talk convention specifics, beer growth initiative, distrib values, and more. 

---Time-Stamped Contents ---
00:00 Intro - enchanting and humorous banter
00:15 Beer First Initiative: Beer Growth meeting at Andrews in Ft. Worth.
01:35 Barry A. and the arlington live concept.
02:25 operating safely in new reality.
03:00 what's new for nbwa convention? mitigating risk, like distribs been doing. 
03:50 trade show more spread out, but sold out.
04:20 taking more care with folks' travel/time. suppliers organizing events around nbwa to save trips/$/exposure
05:15 convention lineup highlights...
07:40 afghanistan war veteran and hero travis mills, providing unique perspective. 
09:00 bring your vax status or 72 hr clear test to convention, or they can test on-site too. 
10:35 harry weighs in: it sucks but this is new reality.
10:50 craig urges balance and perspective: hard for employees. 
11:30 beer distribs remained open during worst of pandemic. need to do part.
12:10 on the other hand, biden's vax mandate is "problematic" says craig. arbitrary. 
13:35 we as industry promote from within.
14:10 distribs using creative incentives to vax.
15:00 btw policy advice from distrib: don't let stimmy check recips go unvaxxed if employed are forced to.  
16:35 era of expansion of beer category: "high water mark of people wanting to be on distributor's truck."
17:30 beer dsd is where it's at. cold box, again where it's at. c-stores, again where it's at. UDS, again where it's at. 
18:25 distrib and brand valuations continue to maintain/rise.
20:00 you come to convention for million dollar idea, but also for camaraderie, at your comfort zone.
21:16 convention primer:  22 seminars (including harry​ on sunday, check local listings​). ​
23:00 craig on balancing travel and risk by co-locating multiple meetings. 
24:10 workforce remained mostly at work - starting from home now, fewer meetings.
26:00 remembering 9/11
27:00 all at nbwa/vegas 20 years ago. pete coors: freedom isn't free
29:00 getting healthier.
29:35 our beer glass runneth over.
30:30 not too late to bring key employees and register.  nbwa.org

---About---
Beer Business Daily publisher Harry Schuhmacher joins his editors and other guests (almost) every day as they grok the industry issues of the day.  

-Text or call Harry in confidence at:‪ (262) 345-2501‬
-Audio/Video feeds at HarrysPod.com
-Articles referenced at beernet.com
-Twitter / IG / TikTok:  @beerbizdaily

--- Panel ---
Harry is joined by MKM's Bill Kirk, editors Jenn Litz-Kirk, and Jordan Driggers. 

---Time-Stamped Contents ---
00:00 Intro - engaging and hilarious banter.
02:00 Introducing Bill Kirk of MKM Partners, Jenn's husband - amiable, athletic, smart.
02:40 Do bill and jenn talk beer/bevs on date nights?
04:50 Bill a hard seltzer bear. getting tough out there in seltzerland.
05:20 Bill: if you still have lotsa seltzer cases today after labor day, you're stuck.
06:10 price war coming within seltzers? or industry past that?
06:30 Bill: all eyes on white claw on that point, indie producer, no on-premise.
09:20 harry attempts to ask a question about cannabis, fails. Jenn picks it up.
09:50 bill: problems in cannabis are mostly Canadian problems. 
10:30 Rather, U.S. regional-legal cannabis companies killing it.
11:00 bill: marquee names are still Canadian, but the real profit action is and will be in the US.
11:25 jenn asks about bev-alc suppliers getting into the canna-biz, synergies there? light weight not conducive to heavy bev-alc stops. 
12:45 jenn asks about Canadian canna-brands coming down to U.S. 
13:15 bill: fed legalization may take many forms, and could prohibit canadian et al imports of thc. 
13:35 canopy to constellation  to acreage combo deal. 
14:00 jordan: what happens to all that canadian weed equipment? bill: It comes down here for pennies on dollar.
15:00 Oh canada's export options.
15:30 harry points out that US has nearly unlimited rich land with right climate to grow. 
16:00 California is ripe for weed nirvana.
17:45 bill has big plans to build a frisbee golf course on harry's property. harry says better than goats.
18:35 harry is in, and he thinks he'd be a good frolfer. 
19:40 jenn asks about best canna company prospects.
21:15 east coast headwind: cheap black market, ease of delivery.
21:55 bill: fed legalization not going to happen for a while.
22:40 fed cannabis lobbying bodies are fragmented, local guys want protection, big firms want national market. 
23:50 harry tries to make a comparison to 1933 repeal. 
24:00 harry goes on commerce clause rant, lawsuits coming.
24:30 most thc cos in U.S. don't want fed legalization at this point.
25:30 could be six-ish years, between mid-terms and other factors.
26:25 states have a history of standing up to feds even in alcohol. 
28:15 calling out seltzer softness
29:05 bill's top picks in beer: the folks who don't sell much seltzer: stz and tap. 
29:35 bill believes seltzer remains stuck at 8 to 11 share of beer for a long time (like craft beer).
30:00 now a different type of investor in beer stonks:  growth versus value. 
32:00 bet against boston beer?
33:15 SAM stock very responsive to early sales gains.
33:50 harry's stock tip of the year: wait for a bottle recall and jump in. (disclaimer: he is not a licensed financial advisor so don't take his advice).
35:40 jenn: how much does supply deter investors?
36:00 bill: lost sales mean more marketing $$ later to convince folks to come back. 
36:20 white claw down more than a-b and mc. no on-premise to offset.
36:50 jordan: who is benefiting from slowdown in seltzer?  
37:30 constellation benefits: brands are outdoor fun beachy like seltzers. 
38:00 bill likes cos that aren't overly exposed to seltzers:  stz and tap.
38:40 molson coors for first time "trying" to innovate. they are actually now trying. "trend chasing and trend finding."
41:00 smash that like button, give a five star rating, and give a positive review, or go home and do nothing.
42:40 bill has a free seat at the Beer Summit and Wine & Spirits Summit, January 30 at Hotel Del Coronado. details at beernet.com
43:10 jenn makes unreasonable demands of bill

--- Panel ---
Harry is joined by Jenn Litz-Kirk and Jordan Driggers to decipher what's going on with the top ten malt seltzers.

---Time-Stamped Contents ---
00:00 Intro - harry is dramatically in emo clothes and wearing blue blockers for no reason. 
02:30 jenn recreates the plot of the Jerk.  
02:50 harry sings song, nacho libre, etc. 
04:20 Top ten seltzer pop quiz
10:45 hot prices for labor day
12:50 highlights from our fall distrib survey
14:20 most salespeoples' time spent dealing with out-of-stocks
15;30 jordan and rib going to Spokane. 
16:45 jenn hanging at home, no more frisbee golf. makes herself known on the course.
18:00 jenn thinks harry is jealous because he doesn't work out. 
19:00 wrap-up.

---About---
Beer Business Daily publisher Harry Schuhmacher joins his editors and other guests (almost) every day as they grok the industry issues of the day.  

-Text or call Harry in confidence at:‪ (262) 345-2501‬
-Audio/Video feeds at HarrysPod.com
-Articles referenced at beernet.com
-Twitter / IG / TikTok:  @beerbizdaily

--- Panel ---
Harry is joined by Katie Beal Brown of Lone River Ranch Water and our editors Jenn, Jordan, and a special appearance by Chanel Gulf Coast.  


---Time-Stamped Contents ---
00:00 Intro - free and easy banter - hot girl summer coming to an end.
01:00 ABI suing Constellation over Modelo Reserva's use of 'tequila' on label. 
02:15 Legit claim or kinda dick move?
05:35 Katie Beal Brown of Lone River Ranch Water is a fan of the pod! Sweet redemption!
06:45 Katie's background in marketing, creating campaign.
07:25 Challenge logistically getting folks to far west texas for shoot.
09:00 harry per yoozh projects his own evil sang froid onto interview subject.
10:30 jordan asks about ranch water awareness/acceptance outside texas. cape cod successful test.
13:00 Tenn number two market.
13:45 seltzer leveling off doesn't bother katie much, agave inspired flavor still has run room.
15:00 in texas, ranch water (agave-inspired) seltzers are half of seltzer growth.
15:20 Jenn compares ranch water with rising tequila trends, but takes time.
15:50 Lone River first national ranch water, first to 'own' seg and bar call. 
16:45 jenn asks who is their competition?
17:10 katie has bigger aspirations than just 'ranch water' sub-category. 
17:45 don't rule out lone river spirits-based. but not imminent.
19:20 Headwind: higher abv spirit rtds have that ethanol taste up top.
20:45 harry uses that topic to smoothly segue into what diageo paid for lone river. didn't bite.
21:40 new agave-inspired w. tex flavors coming? queso?
22:50 After big laughs, jordan brings everybody back down with talk of flavors eating flavors.
23:45 prickly pear is fan fave. 
25:10 harry barks predictions at katie who takes them in stride. (mansplaining anyone?)
25:55 jenn asks about on-premise oppty:  Nashville big on-premise market (15%!)
27:10 what's the bar call? not a prob yet. 
28:25 Introducing a new character: Old Man Daddy (he tells really old anecdotes that sometimes relate to the topic at hand).
30:30 Ryan Bingham talk. (we edit out chanel's yellowstone spoiler). 
32:20 harry and horses don't mix.


---About---
Beer Business Daily publisher Harry Schuhmacher joins his editors and other guests every workday as they grok the industry issues of the day.  

-Text or call Harry in confidence at:‪ (262) 345-2501‬
-Audio/Video feeds at HarrysPod.com
-Articles referenced at beernet.com
-Twitter / IG / TikTok:  @beerbizdaily

--- Panel ---
Harry is joined by Wine & Spirits Daily editors Sarah Barrett and Hana Kruger, along with beer editor Jordan Driggers, to discuss the latest in the W&S distribution world. 

---Time-Stamped Contents ---
00:00 needless banter about tech difficulties, Biscuit (the dog harry obsesses over) had cbd oil and is feeling the vibes. 
04:45 industry trying to define these new bev-alc rtd's. 
08:00 do rtd's play on-premise?  harry says no, sarah says yes in short term.
09:25 jordan says seltzers don't mix well with food.  so true
09:60 grokking seltzer's fall, but hana says still popular
11:00 seltzers all about latest hot flavor or variety pack. 
11:40 jordan doubles down on wc variety pack 3
12:40 sarah: rtd's expanding outlets
13:30 harry goes on rant about trucks and delivery
19:20 RNDC going into all control states direct threat to S-G.
21:25 Montgomery county and boss hogg.

---About---
Beer Business Daily publisher Harry Schuhmacher joins his editors and other guests every workday as they grok the industry issues of the day.  

-Text or call Harry in confidence at:‪ (262) 345-2501‬
-Audio/Video feeds at HarrysPod.com
-Articles referenced at beernet.com
-Twitter / IG / TikTok:  @beerbizdaily

00:00 Intro
01:00 after that

The reality tv star of Bravo's Summer House (and soon Winter House), Kyle  Cooke and COO Nick Califano join Harry and the gang to talk about their hard iced tea line, Loverboy. 

---Time-Stamped Contents ---
00:00 intro - aimless banter
00:50 can you take dogs anywhere now?  niet 
01:30 jenn going to vermont to bank some marriage points with hubs.
02:35 pre-gaming the loverboy hard tea and summer house story
05:45 kyle and nick join us with loverboy
06:00 summer house spared by storm
07:10 kyle on merch
07:30 lifestyle brand
07:50 loverboy #2 hard tea in some cuts
08:20 kyle on using dtc to test concepts
09:32 expresso martini so strong in dtc, probs taking to retail
09:50 but ultimately go thru "best in class" beer distributors
10:40 loverboy expects to expand or launch 43 states in next 9 months
10:50 choosing a mix of ab/mc/craft distribs
11:35 nick: start with best in class, then go to best fit
12:00 example of fire with lakeshore in chicago
12:40 jenn asks if seltzer slowdown is concern. no, clears the field
14:15 as category matures it will form into segments
14:20 pricing of loverboy: toward the high end
15:10 variety packs aren't the bee's knees anymore, premium one flavor say retailers
15:50 loverboy distribs make $10 a case gp 
16:05 best selling flavor by a hair: white tea peach, then hibiscus 
16:20 kyle can't choose a favorite
16:25 first hard chai tea
17:05 jordan: where the volume coming from, and is it incremental (and then he tells an anecdote). 
17:45 show brings 'em in, taste keeps 'em:  start with tea add tiny amt juice then "bring it to life" with monk fruit
18:50 jenn: is there an on-premise play?
20:20 will you flip this or take on strategic partner?
22:05 nick: covid leveled playing field on supply chain
24:30 what happens after summer house?  spoiler alert: winter house
26:30 reaching an order distrib and retailers:  demo is key
29:50 kyle: we're d-list celebrities if you even want to call us celebrities.  not about followers, about engagement
30:50 kyle on blurring of lines
32:30 harry fanboys on kyle: asks about balance of party and biz life
34:50 now jenn fan girls on him, and we bring it home.

---About---
Beer Business Daily publisher Harry Schuhmacher joins his editors and other guests every workday as they grok the industry issues of the day.  

-Text or call Harry in confidence at:‪ (262) 345-2501‬
-Audio/Video feeds at HarrysPod.com
-Articles referenced at beernet.com
-Twitter / IG / TikTok:  @beerbizdaily

--- Panel ---
Harry is joined by bbd editors Jenn and Jordan.

---Time-Stamped Contents ---
00:00 Intro - bts talking canna-beverages coverage
01:40 harry is dressed like a rodeo clown, and we don't know why.
02:30 bts: jenn interviews bill newlands of constellation. 
03:13 upside for modelo especial
03:40 jenn describes modelo as top brand in many non-california markets.
04:10 modelo is so big now, how much runway could it have? 
05:30 modelo 50/50 hispanic vs general market, jim sabia predicted it.
06:20 pacifico is starting to break out and shine.
06:40 constellation is it's own biggest competitor in mex beer.
08:00 corona is their go-to brand with line extensions/innovations.
08:25 beer the big performer compared to wine/spirits at stz
09:40 jordan simulates the modelo ad theme song, risking us being cited for copyright infringement. 
10:15 talking about pod intro music.
13:00 jenn gives us a sneak peak at rest of interview with stz's bill newlands.
15:00 bts with bbd
15:15 brewer distrib sales meetings going forward, some hybrid.

---About---
Beer Business Daily publisher Harry Schuhmacher joins his editors and other guests every workday as they grok the industry issues of the day.  

-Text or call Harry in confidence at:‪ (262) 345-2501‬
-Audio/Video feeds at HarrysPod.com
-Articles referenced at beernet.com
-Twitter / IG / TikTok:  @beerbizdaily

Harry is joined by Bump Williams of Bump Williams Consulting, Jenn, and Jordan.

---Time-Stamped Contents ---
00:00 Intro - talkin' trash.
02:00 grokking boston/pepsi implications
02:50 bump not a fan of hard sodas, but...
03:25 boston and pep folks are "wicked smaht"
04:10 mtn dew was the right brand to pic for alc test.
05:20 continued blurring of lines in beverages
05:50 long-term play -- how big?
06:20 lotsa ruffled feathers with boston distribs, more than anticipated
07:25 bump settles a bet between harry and jordan/jenn. 
09:20 jenn asks what about dew-ing on-premise - esp venues like nascar?
10:25 c-stores rising. how to stay relevant
12:35 soda's biggest channel is grocery, beer is c-store
13:10 c-stores situated best toward quick and easy, i.e.  "convenience" trend
13:40 newish c-store model as "destinations" for consumers.  buckey's wawa 7-eleven sheets etc.  well-lit clean bathrooms, big assortment
14:40 bump's exclusive decision tree: why people shop c-stores today. jenn gets #1 reason right.
15:15 no. 2 reason: familiarity, neighborhood store, know the owner/manager
15:35 no. 3: easy to find the products you need. and ice cold single serve.
16:25 store location:  close and quick, plus cold drinks, gas, fresh coffee, in n out, boom
16:55 c-store: products always in stock, little oos.
17:20 harry: c-stores could be like gopuff: mini-fulfillment centers
18:10 c-store chains seeking best and brightest for catman
18:40 buckey's started with clean bathrooms, well-lit.  now it's a destination
19:50 jenn asks about the change in avg demographics of c-stores:  not just blue-collar males anymore.
20:40 females feel safer now, and more diversity, more sophisticated c-store chain buyer
21:40 beer is so important to c-store channel, but more that that
22:00 c-store avg basket ring is low per trip than soopers but traffic is higher
22:40 beer cave model is dying, more high end
23:05 imports now higher share of beer in c-stores than soopers.  thank you modelo single serve
24:00 jenn asks:  what about c-stores' labor shortage problem. bonus just to show up
25:40 why do hard seltzers underindex in c-stores?  single serve says bump
26:00 bump: c-stores will grow in importance to beer cos
26:15 wild swings in hard seltzer physical distribution between accounts close to each other
27:25 having bump's son david on soon for beyond beer analysis
28:15 bump a fan of karbach ranch water
30:15 bump's son david working on beyond beer, jenn has accolades for the guy
30:40 bump agrees, he and bk are the future of the co. 
31:40 jordan asks about c-store performance for rest of year, given tuffer comps
32:40 will c-stores prevail if another pan lockdown - pantry load? are we prepared? prob not.
35:15 harry asks about canned cocktails - liquor-based rtds, will southern glazers and rndc et al start servicing c-stores as laws loosen up? bump says even distillers are considering beer wholesalers for rtds
39:15 harry finally, finally admits that it's a tough argument for tax/distro equivalency based on source-of-ethanol and abv
39:40 the advantage for malt-based vs spirit based on accounts is huge

---About---
Beer Business Daily publisher Harry Schuhmacher joins his editors and other guests every workday as they grok the industry issues of the day.  

-Text or call Harry in confidence at:‪ (262) 345-2501‬
-Audio/Video feeds at HarrysPod.com
-Articles referenced at beernet.com
-Twitter / IG / TikTok:  @beerbizdaily

--- Panel ---
Harry is joined by CM Profit Group's Tom Fox, along with Jenn and Jordan, to talk about all things chain sales.

---Time-Stamped Contents ---
00:00 intro - hard mtn dew not very similar to soft version.
00:50 will it compete more with 4 loko or twisted tea?
02:05 why low abv? likely due to issues of crossover from non-alc to alc.
02:50 it's a big deal and small deal: small in that it's one brand, big in that it brings a new big distrib competitor to the cold box. 
03:30 jordan: it's the opposite of what coke did with topo. 
04:10 pepsi had choice to be producer or distributor, wisely chose to be distributor. 
04:50 jenn doesn't think it'll blow the doors off. 
05:35 harry thinks it's big deal structurally. 
06:30 beer distribs who are also pep/coke bottlers have edge.
07:05 TOM FOX joins to talk chains
08:45 boston taking marketing, pepsi taking sales. why???
09:40 why pep chose boston beer?  cheaper options. burwick connexion. 
10:40 how will pepsi get mouse access in bev-alc cold box?
11:00 tom: likely have lotsa communication between two
12:05 pepsi serious about learning about bev-alc, bigger than mtn dew.  pepsi new bev-alc distrb
12:40 what about retail pricing? mainstream, so vol accretive to boston (but not margins)
14:00 offering distribs on-premise ain't much of an offer.
14:30 harry: is this like inbev embedding themselves with a-b to learn the business in early oughts?
15:00 boston ranks tops in tom's on and off-premise chain surveys.
15:40 new belgium on the map now with chains
16:00 constellation hitting hard too.
16:30 a-b still gets top marks, most mentions. molson coors right after.
17:40 chains loving virtual vs in-person
19:30 distribs loving it too
21:30 suppliers' performance on vs off-premise chain differences
22:00 scores haven't improved even though supplier performance has, because retailer expectations also grow.
23:30 buyers are mba's except for a few OG goats. suppliers playing ketchup
24:10 suppliers and retailers more aligned today.
25:05 on the other hand, retailers want more tailored solutions, to "be understood".
26:05 craft brewers stepping game: nbb, others
28:05 smarter to start with regional chains or go straight to bentonville?
29:20 constellation alternative to a-b and molson coors for cat captaincy.
31:35 tom: seltzers are overspaced
32:50 assortment has returned as a big priority after pan year.
34:40 jordan asks about mc sku reduction and retailers' reaction
37:55 tom describes their digital e-sales training platform at fox sales coaching

---About---
Beer Business Daily publisher Harry Schuhmacher joins his editors and other guests every workday as they grok the industry issues of the day.  

-Text or call Harry in confidence at:‪ (262) 345-2501‬
-Audio/Video feeds at HarrysPod.com
-Articles referenced at beernet.com
-Twitter / IG / TikTok:  @beerbizdaily