On & Off

The Covid-19 pandemic completely changed the alcohol industry with cocktails to-go, direct-to-consumer shipping and alcohol ecommerce. These and other pandemic challenges necessitated adaptation from beverage alcohol regulators, who stepped up with responsible alcohol practices tailored to our modern crisis. In this episode, we recall these challenges from 2020, and also look ahead for what's next in responsible alcohol practices in 2021. Editors Melissa Dowling and Kyle Swartz interview Steve Schmidt, Sr. Vice President for Public Policy and Communication for the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA).

Editors Melissa Dowling and Kyle Swartz are joined by colleague Marina Velez, senior product manager, data & insights, for The Beverage Information & Insights Group. Velez talks about the dominant alcohol trends from the pandemic, and reflects on which trends she believes will continue with consumers even as Covid-19 recedes. Next the group discusses the rum category, whether it's growing or shrinking, plus the leading brands and cocktails. Velez even shares the backstory of her family's famous coquito recipe — a flavorful, boozy treat!

This podcast is all about pot. Editors Melissa Dowling and Kyle Swartz discuss THC and CBD beverages, trends, and legalization with cannabis investor Carlton Fowler. Fowler is co-founder and managing partner at Goat Rodeo Capital, a venture capital firm focused on early-stage investments in beverage alcohol, non-alcoholic drinks and cannabis-centric brands. Fowler and the editors dive into the rise of CBD/THC beverages, cannabis consumer trends, new production and packaging technologies and the future of federal legalization.

What's more American than Kentucky spirits? The boom in brown spirits has elevated the Bluegrass State to global prominence for it's incredible array of bourbons, ryes, whiskeys, cocktails and other spirits. In this episode, Editors Melissa Dowling and Kyle Swartz explore how Kentucky spirits have grabbed national attention, by interviewing Louisville-based food and beverage writer Steve Coomes. Coomes is known throughout Kentucky and the wider world of whiskey as one of the industry's most knowledgable writers — including on country ham! Check out his work at SteveCoomes.com.

How important is sustainability in the alcohol industry? For a deep dive into this topic, Editors Melissa Dowling and Kyle Swartz sit down with Nick Martin, Executive Director of the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable. BIER is a technical coalition of leading global beverage companies working together to advance environmental sustainability within the beverage sector.

Who doesn't deserve a glass of something great to drink this holiday season? Editor's Melissa Dowling and Kyle Swartz get into the festive spirit by picking out their favorite — and most unique — alcohol-related gifts for the 2020 season. This includes Kyle's picks for the two best values in whiskey from this past year. The editors also talk about holiday-themed cocktails, including the delicious and boozy Puerto Rican tradition of mixing up coquitos.

In this latest episode, Editors Melissa Dowling and Kyle Swartz talk about the current state of the booming hard seltzer market, including the latest trends, and also discuss where they both believe hard seltzer will go in 2021, in terms of both retail and bars and restaurants.

Editors Melissa Dowling and Kyle Swartz discuss U.S. whiskey trends in 2020, with an eye towards top whiskey cocktails, single barrel store picks and the hard-to-believe phenomenon of younger whiskey actually tasting good. What's going on? A new wave of U.S. craft distilleries have doubled down on top-level production techniques and innovation to find ways to create new flavors — and in less time than you may think. Listen in to learn all you need to know about American whiskey this year.

Editors Melissa Dowling and Kyle Swartz discuss what's driving the vodka category on- and off-premise in 2020. Topics include the rise of craft American vodka, how imported brands are reinventing themselves for the modern market, how the pandemic has affected vodka sales, top vodka cocktails and how savvy brands have tapped into Americana.

Technology has allowed beverage alcohol retailers, and bars and restaurants, to adapt with the COVID-19 crisis. Cheers Editor Melissa Dowling and Beverage Dynamics Editor Kyle Swartz discuss just how tech has helped these businesses cope with the challenges of the pandemic. Never before has ecommerce, curbside pickup and digital delivery been so important for the alcohol industry.