Park Street Insider Podcast: Recent Episodes
Park Street Companies
The Park Street Insider Podcast is dedicated to understanding the business strategies of the most interesting and successful thought leaders in the alcohol beverage space. In each episode we discuss the moves that shaped their careers, how they built some of the brands we all know and love, and some of the tools they can’t live without. The podcast will also feature shorter episodes with commentary from industry leaders on time-sensitive topics.
Send us Fan Mail
Every spirits brand today is chasing the same elusive prize: two generations who don't drink the way the ones before them did, and who are quietly rewriting the rules of when, why, and what they reach for. Few people are tracking that shift more closely than Dave Williams and Erica Duecy. Dave, President of BUMP Williams Consulting, has spent a decade turning beverage-alcohol data into strategy for suppliers, distributors, and retailers navigating a changing consumer base. Erica, founder of Business of Drinks and host of the podcast of the same name, has built her career translating consumer behavior into brand strategy for some of the best-known names in wine and spirits.
In this episode, recorded live at Bar Convent Brooklyn as Part 1 of our two-part series "Cracking the Generational Code," Dave and Erica break down what's actually driving Gen Z and Millennial spirits consumption, from why nearly half of Gen Z abstains entirely yet still drinks spirits as often as Millennials do, to why Millennials, now the industry's highest-value buyer, are still being marketed as "young drinkers." We explore how moderation is reshaping loyalty rather than ending it, why wellness has become a purchase filter even for alcohol, how RTDs are winning by removing friction from the decision, and why the sale is often won or lost long before a shopper ever reaches the shelf.
Park Street Imports is the back-office and importing solution for alcoholic beverage brands launching and scaling in the U.S. market.
Featured Guests:
Dave Williams, President, BUMP Williams Consulting
Erica Duecy, Founder, Business of Drinks
Mentioned in the Episode:
Bump Williams Consulting
The Business of Drinks
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Click the link here.
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us Fan Mail
In 2026, American whiskey isn't riding the wave it was five years ago, and every major producer knows it. For a brand the size of Jack Daniel's, that shift raises a harder question: how do you keep innovating when the whole world already thinks it knows you? Success at that scale can actually work against you; when everyone's already tried the whiskey, it's easy to get stuck on mute.
In this episode of the Park Street Insider Podcast, Chris Fletcher, Master Distiller at Jack Daniel's, takes the stage for a talk recorded live at the Park Street University stage in Brooklyn. He breaks down how Jack Daniel's has built its innovation strategy around protecting Old No. 7 while still carving out new space, from small-batch distillery-only experiments, to the record-setting proof of the Coy Hill single barrel releases, to reviving age-stated whiskeys Jack Daniel himself sold over a century ago. From the double-edged sword of brand recognition to what real transparency looks like on the production floor, this one is packed with insight into how an American icon stays ahead of a changing market.
Park Street Imports is the back-office and importing solution for alcoholic beverage brands launching and scaling in the U.S. market.
Featured Guests:
Chris Fletcher, Master Distiller, Jack Daniel's
Mentioned in the Episode:
Jack Daniel's
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Click the link here.
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us Fan Mail
In 2026, the spirits distribution tier is in the middle of one of its most dramatic realignments in decades. RNDC, once the nation's second largest distributor, has shed or transformed more than 35 markets nationally. Reyes is rising. Beer distributors are claiming more share. And for independent brands trying to secure distribution in the middle of all of it, the rules of engagement have changed. The brands breaking through are earning it before they ever walk in the door.
In this episode of the Park Street Insider Podcast, Emmett Strack sits down with representatives from Skurnik Wine and Spirits, T. Edward Wine and Spirits, Allied Beverage Group, and Revival Spirits for a live roundtable recorded at BCB Brooklyn. Together, they break down what's driving the consolidation, where the real opportunities are hiding inside of it, and what brands need to do differently to earn and keep distributor attention in 2026. From pitching for the first time to setting goals that don't blow up a partnership, this one is packed with straight talk and practical advice.
Park Street Imports is the back-office and importing solution for alcoholic beverage brands launching and scaling in the U.S. market.
Featured Guests:
Adam Schuman, Spirits Portfolio Director & Head of Innovation, Skurnik Wines & Spirits
Sara Harmelin, VP, Portfolio Development, Allied Beverage Group
Emily Wynbrandt, Spirits Portfolio Manager, T. Edward Wines and Spirits
Lloyd Sobel, Managing Partner, Revival Spirits
Mentioned in the Episode:
Allied Beverage Group
Skurnik Wine & Spirits
T. Edward Wines & Spirits
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Click the link here.
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us Fan Mail
Not every RTD brand gets acquired by one of the world's biggest spirits companies. Fewer still land Alix Earle as an investor along the way. Joey Angelo, co-founder of SipsMARGS and Su Casa Mezcal, did both, and the path there ran through 15 years inside the distribution tier, watching thousands of brands succeed and fail before building one himself.
In this episode, Joey walks us through what it actually took to launch a premium canned margarita during a pandemic, earn distributor buy-in when the RTD category was still unproven, and build a brand compelling enough to attract Alix Earle organically and close a deal with Sazerac. We get into the white space he identified in the RTD market, why celebrity partnerships live or die on the product underneath them, the route-to-market discipline that kept SipsMARGS focused, and what he learned about timing and patience when a major acquirer comes calling.
Park Street Imports is the back-office and importing solution for alcoholic beverage brands launching and scaling in the U.S. market
Featured Guests:
Joey Angelo, Founder & CEO, Su Casa Mezcal & sipMARGS
Mentioned in this episode:
SipMARGS
Su Casa Mezcal
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Click the link here.
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us Fan Mail
Bar trends don't wait for brands to catch up, and in 2026, the gap between brands that understand what's driving consumer behavior and those that don't is only widening. In this episode, Tom Cavanagh, Advocacy Manager at Diageo, breaks down the flavor trends, category shifts, and on-premise dynamics set to define bars this year. From the martini's striking resurgence and tequila's continued climb against a down market, to the texture-forward and bitter-led flavor profiles gaining serious traction with today's drinkers, Tom covers the shifts that should be on every brand's radar.
But Tom's talk goes beyond trend-spotting. He makes a direct, data-backed case for why brand advocacy is the most powerful lever brands have for driving sales, and the numbers behind a single bartender's influence on consumer choice might surprise you. If you want to understand which trends are reshaping bars right now, and why the brands investing in real human relationships are the ones winning at the register, this is the episode to hear.
Park Street Imports is the back-office and importing solution for alcoholic beverage brands launching and scaling in the U.S. market
Featured Guests:
Tom Cavanagh, Advocacy Manager, Diageo
Mentioned in this episode:
Diageo
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Click the link here.
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us Fan Mail
Landing a placement at a top bar program doesn't happen by chance. It's the result of trust, timing, and understanding what the people behind the bar actually need from a brand partner. Recorded live at Bar Convent London, this fireside chat brings together Nidal Ramini, Advocacy Director for the EAA Division at Brown-Forman, Emanuele Mensah, Director of Liquid Nation, Giulia Cuccurullo, Head Bartender at Artesian at the Langham London, and Pietro Collina, Group Beverage Director at the Thesleff Group. A panel with deep roots in some of the world's most celebrated bar programs.
Together, they unpack what brands consistently get wrong when approaching bars, why one-off activations rarely move the needle, and what a relationship worth investing in actually looks like from the operator's side of the table. From navigating the realities of an increasingly selective consumer to understanding how beverage directors and head bartenders think about menu building and brand partnerships, this conversation offers a candid, practical playbook for any founder or brand team looking to build real traction in the on-premise channel.
Park Street Imports is the back-office and importing solution for alcoholic beverage brands launching and scaling in the U.S. market.
Featured Guests:
Nidal Ramini, Advocacy Director - EAA Division, Brown Forman
Emanuele Mensah, Director, LiquidNation
Giulia Cuccurullo, Head Bartender, Artesian, the Langham London
Pietro Collina, Group Beverage Director, Thesleff Group
Mentioned in this episode:
Brown Forman
The World's 50 Best Bars
Artesian
Thesleff Group
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Click the link here.
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us Fan Mail
The 2026 alcohol market is bumpy, but for brands paying attention to the right signals, the opportunities are real. In this episode, Giuseppe Gallo, Founder and CEO of Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto and Savoia Americano, delivers a data-driven talk on the category and flavor shifts quietly reshaping what consumers reach for on the shelf and at the bar.
He gets specific about the category and flavor shifts, gaining the most momentum with the new generation of drinkers, and why the brands catching on early are the ones best positioned to win. But he also goes beyond trends, tackling the harder strategic questions around distribution, sustainability, and what it actually takes to build a brand that lasts.
He also breaks down how the M&A strategies of major beverage giants have fundamentally shifted in the last 24 months, and what that means for independent brands navigating a crowded market. If you're trying to understand where the new generation of drinkers is heading, and how to position your brand to meet them there, this episode is the place to start.
Park Street Imports is the back-office and importing solution for alcoholic beverage brands launching and scaling in the U.S. market.
Featured Guest:
Giuseppe Gallo, Founder & CEO, Italspirits - ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto & SAVOIA Aperitivo
Watch on YouTube:
The Key Trends in the 2026 Alcohol Market
Mentioned in this episode:
Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto
Savoia Americano
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Click the link here.
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us Fan Mail
AI is reshaping the spirits industry, and for founders willing to embrace it, the opportunity is real. In this episode, recorded through Park Street University's AI for Spirits Marketing series, Justin Noland, Vice President of Digital Experience for Treasury Wine Estates, and Antonia Fattizzi, Founder and President of Cork and Tin, get specific about where AI can immediately win back hours in your week, from condensing long email chains and preparing for vendor meetings to analyzing social media ROI without an agency.
Then they go deeper, sharing practical frameworks for weaving AI into your brand's day-to-day. They'll give you an idea of how to write prompts that actually work using Justin's 'Brilliant Intern' framework, and how to structure your website so that tools like ChatGPT and Gemini start citing your brand as the authoritative source for spirits recommendations. If you've been curious about AI but unsure where to start, this episode makes the case for why it might be the most powerful marketing tool your brand isn't using yet.
Park Street Imports is the back-office and importing solution for alcoholic beverage brands launching and scaling in the U.S. market.
Featured Guest:
Antonia Fattizzi, Founder and President of Cork and Tin
Justin Noland, Vice President of Digital Experience for Treasury Wine Estates
Watch on YouTube:
AI for Spirits Marketing Pt. I: The Great Equalizer for Craft Beverage Brands
AI for Spirits Marketing Pt. II: Putting AI Into Practice for Small Brands
Mentioned in this episode:
Cork & Tin
Treasury Wine Estates
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Click the link here.
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us Fan Mail
Building a spirits brand in one market is hard. Building one across multiple continents, at the highest level of the industry, is a different game entirely, and few people have played it better than Matteo Fantacchiotti. A 25-year veteran of the drinks industry with senior leadership stints at Diageo and Carlsberg, Matteo briefly took the helm as CEO of Campari Group before turning his attention to a new challenge: becoming Partner and Chairman of the Board at Cygnet Distillery, where he's applying everything he's learned to building a super-premium gin brand from scratch.
In this episode, recorded live at Bar Convent Berlin, Matteo shares his six-pillar blueprint for luxury spirits brand expansion: from building sustainable brand value and prioritizing the right markets, to why the smartest brands think in cities rather than countries. We explore the hard truths around funding and resource allocation, the people decisions that make or break international growth, and why the best advice he can give any brand looking to expand is to go fewer places, and go much deeper.
Park Street Imports is the back-office and importing solution for alcoholic beverage brands launching and scaling in the U.S. market.
Featured Guest:
Matteo Fantacchiotti, Partner and Chairman of the Board, Cygnet Distillery
Watch on YouTube:
The 6 Pillars of Luxury Spirits Brand Expansion
Mentioned in this episode:
Cygnet Distillery
Campari Group
Diageo
Carlsberg Group
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Click the link here.
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us Fan Mail
Not many people can say they've founded a bourbon distillery and run one of the world's largest whiskey programs. Kaveh Zamanian isn't most people. A prolific whiskey brand founder and former Chief Whiskey Officer at Pernod Ricard, Kaveh built Rabbit Hole Distillery from a creative vision into a brand compelling enough to catch the eye of one of the world's biggest spirits companies, and when Pernod Ricard came calling, he didn't just take the deal, he took the wheel, going on to lead their whiskey program at the highest level.
In this episode, Kaveh reveals what it really takes to build a bourbon brand with a creative mindset: from the founding principles behind Rabbit Hole Distillery, to the realities of being acquired by a global spirits giant, to how he architected a portfolio strategy that balanced heritage and innovation. We explore the surprising link between whiskey and human psychology, his approach to brand building that goes beyond the liquid in the bottle, and the leadership lessons learned from running one of the industry's most storied whiskey programs.
Park Street Imports is the back-office and importing solution for alcoholic beverage brands launching and scaling in the U.S. market.
Featured Guest:
Kaveh Zamanian, Founder, Rabbit Hole, Mary Dowling, and Mash & Mallow Whiskey Companies
Mentioned in this episode:
Rabbit Hole Distillery
Mary Dowling
Mash & Mallow
Pernod Ricard
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Click the link here.
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us Fan Mail
Before you invest in liquid, labels, or a launch strategy, the most important question any founder can ask is: does this brand actually have a viable path to market?
This Expert Talk features Felipe Gonzalez-Gordon, Partner and COO of Colangelo & Partners, delivering a data-driven framework for launching a spirit, wine, or RTD brand in today's saturated market, drawn from his presentation at Bar Convent Brooklyn 2025. Felipe walks through the financial and strategic groundwork that separates brands that scale from those that stall: how to size your addressable market realistically, how to model capital requirements, and how to allocate marketing spend without burning through runway prematurely. The episode also tackles brand positioning with precision, examining how founders can identify and defend a differentiated position on the shelf in a category where retailer fatigue and distributor consolidation make first impressions increasingly important.
Park Street Imports is the back-office and importing solution for alcoholic beverage brands launching and scaling in the U.S. market.
Featured Guests:
Felipe Gonzalez-Gordon, Partner & COO, Colangelo & Partners
Mentioned in this episode:
Colangelo & Partners
Watch on YouTube:
How to Launch a Beverage Alcohol Brand: A Data-Driven Framework
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Click the link here.
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us Fan Mail
As on-premise venues navigate an increasingly fragmented spirits landscape, the relationship between brands and bars has reached a critical inflection point. This Expert Talk features Chris Maffeo, the Founder of MAFFEO DRINKS, to examine why most brand-bar partnerships fail before they begin, and how misaligned incentives, from listing fees that deliver no ROI to guest shifts where brand managers never appear, erode trust on both sides.
Chris explores the disconnect between boardroom strategy and bar-floor execution, introducing a practical "if-then" framework for sustainable partnerships that balances bartender personal brand-building with genuine brand advocacy. Chris reveals why treating activations as transactions rather than relationships undermines everyone's bottom line, and demonstrates how accountability gaps, from finance teams demanding immediate returns to bartenders rotating between competing portfolios, can be transformed into long-term value creation.
Park Street Imports is the back-office and importing solution for alcoholic beverage brands launching and scaling in the U.S. market.
Featured Guests:
Chris Maffeo, Founder, MAFFEO DRINKS
Mentioned in this episode:
MAFFEO Drinks
Watch on YouTube:
The On-Premise Playbook: A Guide to High-Value Bar Partnerships
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Click the link here.
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us Fan Mail
When a 175-year-old Italian heritage brand decides to double down on the American market, the playbook isn't always obvious. But Christopher Watt, CEO of Branca USA, has cracked the code, delivering a 5% volume increase for Fernet-Branca, an explosive 91% growth for Borghetti coffee liqueur, and helping Carpano Antica Formula become the number-one sweet vermouth by value in U.S. retail. In an industry where heritage brands often struggle to stay relevant, Watt has proven that legacy and innovation aren't mutually exclusive; they're the foundation for breakthrough growth.
In this episode, Watt reveals the strategic moves behind Branca USA's remarkable performance: from democratizing Fernet-Branca beyond high-end mixology into college towns and neighborhood bars, to riding the espresso martini wave with Borghetti, to capitalizing on the vermouth renaissance with Carpano Antica. Join us as we unpack his "pilot fish" distribution strategy, the data-driven approach that guided a lean team to outsized results, and why partnering with Reyes Beverage Group was the right strategic move for the portfolio.
Park Street Imports is the back-office and importing solution for alcoholic beverage brands launching and scaling in the U.S. market.
Featured Guest:
Christopher Watt, CEO, Branca USA
Mentioned in this episode:
Branca USA
Fratelli Branca
Reyes Beverage Group
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Click the link here.
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us Fan Mail
Amidst a volatile economic landscape marked by significant job losses in the hospitality sector, the alignment between spirits brands and on-premise venues has never been more critical. In this episode, we join Brown-Forman Advocacy Director Nidal Ramini to unpack the "Hospitality Algorithm," a strategic framework that helps suppliers and entrepreneurs understand the operational mindset of successful bars.
We explore how Ramini evolves Danny Meyer’s "Enlightened Hospitality" into a roadmap for business resilience, demonstrating why "culture eats strategy for breakfast". We also discuss key entrepreneurial lessons, from distinguishing between passion and vision to prioritizing community investment, and analyze why treating awards as a result rather than an objective is the key to sustainable brand growth.
Park Street Imports is the back-office and importing solution for alcoholic beverage brands launching and scaling in the U.S. market.
Featured Guests:
Nidal Ramini, Advocacy Director - EAA Division, Brown Forman
Mentioned in this episode:
Brown-Forman
Watch on YouTube:
The Hospitality Algorithm: A Playbook for On-Premise Success
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Click the link here.
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us Fan Mail
In 2025, the beverage alcohol sector saw significant evolution across its regulatory, distribution, and investment landscapes. In this comprehensive Year in Review, Park Street Insider hosts Emmett Strack and Andres Correa sit down to analyze the year’s defining moments through three key lenses: top industry news, emerging market trends, and major M&A activity.
In this episode, we review the headlines that mattered most, including the implications of RNDC's exit from California, the shifting tariff environment, and notable CEO turnover among major suppliers. We also examine broader structural changes, from the complexities of the THC bill to the increasing migration of suppliers toward beer distributors, and break down the year's investment climate, highlighted by AB InBev’s acquisition of Beatbox. We’ll explore the practical takeaways from these developments and discuss how they set the stage for the industry in 2026.
Park Street Imports is the back-office and importing solution for alcoholic beverage brands launching and scaling in the U.S. market.
Mentioned in this episode:
Navigating Beverage Alcohol Tariffs: Short-Term Tactics & Long-Term Strategies
How Nosotros Tequila & Mezcal Navigated the RNDC CA Disruption and Returned to Growth
Beverage Alcohol Tariffs in 2025: Latest Developments & Industry Response
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Click the link here.
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us a text
The spirits industry has fundamentally changed. While brands once viewed bars as non-negotiable, many of today's most successful brands have achieved success through a targeted approach at retail and e-commerce. Yet the on-premise isn't just surviving, it's evolving into a channel where brands need to be more strategic than ever.
On this episode of the Park Street Insider Podcast, we explore why understanding cocktail culture remains essential for achieving brand success. With on-premise sales up 4% year-over-year and venue counts rising as we enter the peak holiday season, the bar world continues to serve as the critical channel ground where consumer trends are born, not just observed.
Charlotte Voisey, Executive Director at Tales of the Cocktail and former Global Head of Ambassadors at William Grant & Sons, reveals how the most significant shifts in cocktail culture took root and why direct dialogue with bartenders delivers strategic intelligence that shapes smarter brand decisions. Then Overproof's Chief Analytics Officer Ed Dobbles breaks down exactly what's winning in the 2025 on-premise: which cocktails dominate menus, what flavors consumers crave, and why emerging brands have a unique advantage right now.
Featured Guests:
Charlotte Voisey, Executive Director, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
Ed Dobbles, Chief Analytics Officer, Overproof
Mentioned in this episode:
William Grant & Sons
Overproof
Watch on YouTube:
The Evolution of Cocktail Trends in the Last 25 Years
Cocktail Trends: How Bar Menus are Changing
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us a text
Kevin Keenan, co-founder of Glendalough Distillery, has played a pivotal role in introducing authentic Irish craft spirits to American consumers at a critical juncture in the category's evolution. Glendalough distinguished itself as a trailblazer, helping to expand the category beyond traditional players and introducing American drinkers to a new generation of innovative Irish distillers before its sale to the Mark Anthony Group in 2019.
On this episode of the Park Street Insider Podcast, Kevin Keenan sits down with Andres Correa to share the story behind Glendalough's rise and its role in shaping the modern Irish whiskey landscape in America. Discover how Keenan and his team built a distinctive brand rooted in Irish heritage and wild botanicals, navigated the complexities of breaking into the competitive U.S. spirits market, and carved out a unique position in the fastest-growing Irish whiskey category.
Keenan shares his best brand-building advice, from crafting an authentic brand identity that resonates with consumers to forming strategic distribution partnerships that drive sustainable growth. Whether you're an emerging brand founder or an industry veteran, this conversation offers invaluable insights into what it takes to build a spirits brand with lasting impact.
Featured Guests:
Kevin Keenan, Co-founder, Glendalough Distillery
Mentioned in this episode:
Glendalough Distillery
Cobblestone Brands
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us a text
Julien Hémard, CEO of Pernod Ricard Northern Europe, oversees operations for the world's second-largest spirits company, home to iconic brands including Absolut Vodka, Jameson Irish Whiskey, and The Glenlivet. Managing a diverse portfolio across multiple markets, Hémard's unique position, balancing heritage craftsmanship with emerging consumer trends, provides rare insight into industry transformation.
In this Expert Talks episode, we shine a spotlight on Hémard's presentation at Bar Convent Berlin in 2025, where he addresses six critical questions that define the industry's present and future. Whether you're an industry professional, aspiring entrepreneur, or fascinated by the business of beverages, Hemard offers listeners an executive-level perspective on where the industry is headed and what it takes to succeed.
Featured Guests:
Julien Hémard, CEO Pernod Ricard Northern Europe, Pernod Ricard Deutschland GmbH
Mentioned in this episode:
Pernod Ricard
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us a text
In 2025, navigating beverage distribution has become one of the most critical challenges facing drinks entrepreneurs. From the end of Prohibition to today's consolidated three-tier system, the distribution landscape has fundamentally shaped which brands scale and which stall — yet many suppliers still don't fully understand how the second tier actually works or where it's headed next.
In this special collaboration episode, Park Street Insider host Emmett Strack teams up with Business of Drinks co-hosts Erica Duecy and Scott Rosenbaum to decode the distribution tier for beverage alcohol brands. Together, we break down the past, present, and future of distribution in the U.S. — explaining the nuts and bolts of the three-tier system, revealing the different distributor types and partnership models available to suppliers, and identifying the key dynamics that will define the next decade of the industry. We'll explore what brands need to know to successfully navigate this complex landscape and share the strategies that separate those who break through from those who get left behind.
Featured Guests:
Erica Duecy, Founder and Co-host, Business of Drinks
Scott Rosenbaum, Co-host, Business of Drinks
Mentioned in this episode:
The Business of Drinks
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us a text
The RTD category has already experienced massive momentum, yet there's still significant room for growth as new brands and products continue entering the market. Gen Z is driving much of this expansion—but what does their enthusiasm for RTDs reveal about this generation's values, purchasing habits, and consumption behaviors?
On this episode of the Park Street Insider Podcast, host Emmett Strack sits down with Ruby Honerkamp and Rob Minucci, Co-Founders of Talkhouse Encore, a spirits-based canned seltzer rooted in the legacy of Stephen Talkhouse, the iconic Long Island music venue. What started as a way to extend a family's 50-year entertainment legacy during the pandemic has evolved into a brand achieving over 101% year-over-year sales growth—without the massive marketing budgets of their larger competitors.
Honerkamp and Minucci share exclusive findings from their Gen Z research, revealing unexpected insights about how this generation discovers, purchases, and consumes alcohol. They also break down how brands can leverage alternative distribution strategies to achieve sustainable growth.
Featured Guests:
Ruby Honerkamp, Co-Founder, Talkhouse EncoreRobert Minucci, Co-Founder, Talkhouse Encore
Mentioned in this episode:
Talkhouse Encore
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us a text
Back in 2018, when The Original Pickle Shot co-founder John King first launched his brand, pickle-flavored spirits were only just emerging. Fast-forward six years, and what started as a niche experiment has exploded into a booming category—with King's brand leading the charge. The Original Pickle Shot has not only survived the influx of competitors but thrived, earning recognition on Impact Databank's prestigious Hot Prospects list.
On this episode of the Park Street Insider Podcast, John King sits down with Andres Correa to reveal the blueprint behind his remarkable success. Discover how King built a high-growth spirits brand from scratch without a single investor, pioneered an entirely new category, and stayed ahead as the market became increasingly crowded.
King shares his strategies for protecting intellectual property in a competitive landscape, leveraging influencer marketing to capture Gen Z's attention, and what it really takes to build a modern spirits brand in today's market.
Featured Guests:John King, Co-Founder & President, The Original Pickle Shot
Mentioned in this episode:
The Original Pickle Shot
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us a text
The tequila industry faces mounting regulatory and legal challenges with Mexico's Consejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT) restricting additive-free marketing claims while high-profile lawsuits are questioning major brands' "100% agave" labeling practices. These developments are reshaping how producers operate in an increasingly transparency-focused market.
The Park Street Insider Podcast welcomes back Billy Erickson, sales and marketing manager at Tequila Fortaleza and member of the brand's founding family, to examine these industry dynamics from a craft producer's perspective. Fortaleza, a premium family-owned brand with strong bartender loyalty and on-premise presence, offers unique insights into navigating regulatory restrictions while maintaining traditional production methods.
From CRT policy conflicts and class action litigation to tariff impacts and premiumization trends, we explore how these converging forces are affecting both established brands and craft producers. The conversation also covers some unexpected operational challenges—including literal product theft—that highlight the unique realities facing today's tequila industry. Whether you're tracking regulatory developments, assessing transparency trends, or understanding market shifts, this episode provides critical insights into the tequila category's evolving landscape.
Featured Guests:Billy Erickson, Sales & Marketing Manager, Tequila Fortaleza
Mentioned in this episode:
Tequila Fortaleza
Consejo Regulador del Tequila
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us a text
Tasting competitions have become a convergence point for top suppliers and emerging challenger brands to showcase the key innovations driving the spirits market. Submission data provides early signals of emerging consumer trends months before they appear in retail sales reports. As such, the judging rooms of premier competitions have become an unexpected window into where the market is heading.
The Park Street Insider Podcast welcomes Amanda Blue, President of the Tasting Alliance, which oversees eight of the industry's most prestigious spirits competitions. The Tasting Alliance's data reveals surprising developments in both traditional and entirely new market segments, thanks to its high growth in submissions across diverse categories.
This episode examines the top trends emerging from the results and entrants in tasting competitions over the last year, from breakthrough innovations redefining established categories to unexpected regional producers outperforming legacy brands. Whether you're tracking market opportunities or anticipating consumer preferences, this episode delivers the competitive intelligence you need to stay ahead of rapidly evolving spirits trends.
Featured Guests:Amanda Blue, President, Tasting Alliance
Mentioned in this episode:
The Tasting Alliance
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us a text
The global trade and tariff landscape is constantly evolving, making it imperative for beverage-alcohol brands to stay in step with the latest updates on U.S. policy. What began earlier in the year as focused measures on Canada, Mexico, and China has expanded into a comprehensive global tariff strategy with far-reaching implications for the beverage alcohol industry.
The Park Street Insider Podcast welcomes back Alison Leavitt, Managing Director of the Wine and Spirits Shippers Association (WSSA), examining how the U.S. administration's broader trade policies have reshaped the spirits, wine, and beer markets since March. This follow-up episode analyzes the global expansion of tariff measures, explores how international trading partners have responded, and assesses the real-world impact on beverage alcohol businesses navigating this new reality
From supply chain disruptions to pricing pressures and strategic pivots, we break down the key developments that have emerged over the summer and what they mean for industry stakeholders. Whether you're managing import costs, adjusting distribution strategies, or planning for continued uncertainty, this episode provides the critical intelligence you need to stay ahead of the evolving tariff landscape.
Featured Guests:Alison Leavitt, Managing Director, Wine and Spirits Shippers Association (WSSA)
Mentioned in this episode:
WSSA
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us a text
In 2025, the moderation movement has evolved from a niche wellness trend into a defining force reshaping the entire drinks industry, embraced by global spirits suppliers like Diageo. As consumers increasingly prioritize quality over quantity and seek meaningful experiences in emerging "fourth spaces" beyond home, work, and traditional social venues, luxury spirits brands are discovering that moderation doesn't mean diminished demand—it means elevated expectations.
In this episode, Claire Warner, the Head of Advocacy at Diageo, explores how one of the world's largest spirits companies is navigating this paradigm shift. We'll examine how the moderation trend is redefining luxury consumption, uncover the role of fourth spaces in creating new occasions for premium spirits, and discuss the strategic implications for brands looking to thrive in an era where mindful drinking meets sophisticated taste. Claire shares Diageo's insights on how moderation is becoming the new luxury, and what this means for the future of the spirits industry.
Featured Guests:Claire Warner, Head of Advocacy, Diageo
Mentioned in the Episode:
Diageo
Seedlip
IWSR
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us a text
In 2025, the spirits distribution landscape has become increasingly competitive, with traditional powerhouses like RNDC, Breakthru, and Winebow facing new market pressures while brands struggle to secure distribution partnerships in an oversaturated environment. As distributors become more selective about their portfolios, the brands that are successfully breaking through the noise are taking fundamentally different approaches to partnerships and market positioning.
In this episode of the Park Street Insider Podcast, Emmett Strack sits down with some of the country's top distributors to uncover how they view the current state of the industry and what brands need to do differently to attract their attention. We'll explore the key conditions driving distributor-supplier collaboration, reveal what successful brands are doing to stand out in this constrained environment, and share practical strategies for maximizing distribution partnerships to drive real growth in today's challenging market.
Featured Guests:Melissa Linehan, RNDC Region President – Northeast, Republic National Distributing Company
John Oliver, Sr. Director, Business Development, Breakthru Beverage Group
Monique Huston, VP Spirits Portfolio, Winebow Fine Wine + Spirits
Mentioned in the Episode:
Republic National Distributing Company
Breakthru Beverage Group
Winebow Fine Wines + Spirits
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us a text
How can emerging spirits brands thrive even when economic conditions get tough? Smart financial strategy makes all the difference. In this episode, Brian Rosen, Chairman of InvestBev, shares his proven playbook for building resilient beverage brands that can weather any storm. Drawing from his extensive experience guiding brands through various market cycles, Rosen reveals the essential capital planning framework that separates thriving companies from those that merely survive.
Despite current economic headwinds creating tighter lending and increased competition, the alcohol beverage industry remains remarkably resilient, consistently outperforming other consumer sectors during downturns. Rosen unveils his strategic approach to funding and considers the essential moves brands can make to navigate headwinds. You'll hear the overlooked strategies that enable ambitious beverage entrepreneurs to turn challenging market conditions into competitive advantages.
Featured Guests:Brian Rosen, CEO, InvestBev Group LLC
Mentioned in the Episode:
InvestBev
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us a text
In 2025, major spirits suppliers like Tito's and Brown-Forman have made strategic pivots to beer distributors, accelerating a trend that's been reshaping alcohol distribution for years. This cross-category distribution model has become increasingly attractive for beverage alcohol suppliers of all sizes, but what's driving this industry-wide shift, and what does it mean for the future of spirits distribution?
In this episode of The Park Street Insider Podcast, we're joined by Ken Aufiero, Director of Spirits at United States Beverage, to explore the market dynamics behind the rise in spirits-to-beer distributor partnerships. Aufiero shares actionable insights on attracting distributor interest, maximizing existing distributor relationships, and identifies the specific categories and price tiers that distributors are prioritizing in today's market.
Featured Guests:
Ken Aufiero, Director of Spirits, United States Beverage
Mentioned in the Episode:
United States Beverage
Reyes Beverage Group
Sazerac Company
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us a text
How did 818 Tequila rise above being "just another celebrity spirit brand'? Beyond Kendall Jenner's star power, the brand's success stems from deep industry expertise. In this episode, David Yan Gonzalez, Director of Tequila Operations at 818, shares his proven framework for building premium spirits brands.
Drawing from decades of experience crafting successful tequila brands, Gonzalez unveils his three-pillar approach to authentic brand building. Find out his critical tangible elements required before launching—from liquid development to market positioning—plus the overlooked intangible factors that separate million-dollar spirits brands from failures.
Featured Guests:David Yan Gonzalez, Director, Tequila Operations, 818 Tequila / Calabasas Beverage Company
Mentioned in the Episode:
818 Tequila
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us a text
Bars, restaurants, and venues form the foundation of drinking culture. However, the factors driving spending and visitation within the on-premise sector have evolved significantly due to COVID disruptions, economic pressures, and shifting category dynamics.
In this episode, we're examining what's happening inside bars and restaurants in 2025. Matthew Crompton, Vice President of CGA by Nielsen IQ for On Premise in the Americas, brings his expertise to this conversation.
Our discussion covers several critical areas: current on-premise visitation trends, consumer price sensitivities in bars, and the spirits categories gaining traction. We also explore effective strategies for spirits brands to capitalize on on-premise trends and strengthen their position within this channel.
Featured Guests:Matt Crompton, Vice President: Americas, CGA by Nielsen IQ
Mentioned in the Episode:
CGA by Nielsen IQ
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1
Send us a text
When Vincent Hanna and his co-founders, Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley, launched Brother’s Bond Bourbon, they didn’t just introduce another celebrity whiskey—they found a new way to build a modern whiskey brand based on passion and authenticity. In the process, Brother's Bond has become one of the fastest-growing premium bourbon brands while building the largest social media following in the spirits industry. Find out how Hanna's career in beverage alcohol and a keen eye for market trends helped Brother's Bond establish itself as a respected player in the competitive American whiskey market.
In this episode, co-founder Vincent Hanna joins the podcast to talk about how he leveraged industry expertise and authentic storytelling to transform Brother's Bond from an ambitious concept into a bourbon phenomenon embraced by whiskey enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike. This in-depth conversation explores the brand's distinctive approach to bourbon craftsmanship, the evolving dynamics of the American whiskey category, and how Brother's Bond harnessed its massive social media presence to build genuine connections with consumers.
Featured Guests:Vincent Hanna, CEO & Co-founder, Brother’s Bond Distilling
Mentioned in the Episode:
Brother's Bond Bourbon
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us a text
In today's spirits market, crowded with endless options, meaningful innovation has become essential for brands seeking to establish their identity amid evolving consumer tastes. Yet mere novelty rarely drives success in an industry where everyone claims to be doing something new. The most effective innovations—whether introducing distinctive flavor profiles, highlighting unique production methods, or unveiling striking packaging—connect authentically with drinkers' genuine interests and desires. The critical question remains: How can brands create innovations that genuinely resonate with consumers rather than simply adding to the noise?
The Park Street Insider Podcast welcomes two innovative experts to the show: former Compass Box Whisky CEO Maurice Doyle and Bemakers Co-founder Morten Stengaard. First, Doyle will draw on his decades of experience leading marketing efforts for global portfolios and developing brands for Bacardi to help redefine what innovation should actually look like in the modern market. Then, Stengaard will deliver a case study with his key criteria for innovation when launching a new product in any category.
Featured Guests:Maurice Doyle, CEO, Compass Box
Morten Stengaard, Co-founder & CEO, Bemakers
Connect with the Experts:
Compass Box Whisky
Bemakers
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us a text
Over the 2010s, Fords Gin transformed from a bartender-driven startup to a cocktail culture staple, securing a key position in Brown-Forman's prestigious portfolio. Co-founder Simon Ford built his career immersed in the cocktail scene that his brand would later come to represent.
In this episode of the Park Street Insider Podcast, Simon Ford discusses his journey working alongside major spirits industry brands before founding Fords Gin—a company now synonymous with premium gin. He reveals how he combined marketing expertise with his extensive bar world relationships to create a brand that caught Brown-Forman's attention, leading to a successful acquisition by one of America's top spirits portfolios.
Featured Guests:Simon Ford, Co-Founder, Fords Gin
Connect with Fords Gin:
Fords Gin
Brown Forman
Simon Ford on Instagram
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us a text
This March, new U.S. tariffs targeting Canada, Mexico, and China are set to send shockwaves through the beverage alcohol industry. With wine, beer, and spirits brands bracing for major financial impact, how can businesses prepare?
The Park Street Insider Podcast welcomes Alison Leavitt, Managing Director of the Wine and Spirits Shippers Association (WSSA), for an essential insider briefing on the changing tariff landscape. In this critical episode, Leavitt provides a clear breakdown of the new administration's aggressive trade approach, analyzes potential implementation scenarios and their business implications, and shares actionable mitigation strategies brands can implement.
Featured Guests:Alison Leavitt, Managing Director, Wine and Spirits Shippers Association (WSSA)
Mentioned in this episode:
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us a text
When Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and his team of co-founders (Dany Garcia, Ken Austin, and Jenna Fagnan) partnered with industry powerhouse Mast-Jägermeister, they didn't just launch another celebrity tequila – they broke records, becoming the fastest premium spirits brand in U.S. history to reach 1 million cases. In the process, they were able to sidestep the growing pains that new-to-market brands often undergo during periods of massive growth. In this episode, CEO Richard Black reveals how he leveraged years of industry expertise to transform Teremana from a startup into a global phenomenon in just five years.
Join Emmett Strack for a conversation with Black as they explore The Rock's hands-on role in the brand's evolution, the untapped potential of the global tequila market, and Teremana's ambitious vision for 2025 and beyond. This isn't just another celebrity spirits story – it's a masterclass in scaling a premium brand while maintaining its soul.
Featured Guests:Richard Black, CEO, Teremana Tequila
Mentioned in this episode:
Teremana Tequila
Mast-Jägermeister
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us a text
From billion-dollar buyouts to strategic portfolio plays, beverage alcohol's dealmaking landscape tells a fascinating story of power, strategy, and evolution. While the post-pandemic M&A frenzy may have cooled, 2024's high-stakes transactions revealed how the industry's biggest players are placing their bets on the future of drinks.
Join host Emmett Strack as he sits down with Ryan Lake, Managing Director of Arlington Capital Advisors, to decode the year's most consequential deals. Together, they'll unpack how industry heavyweights are repositioning for growth, why certain categories are attracting premium valuations, and what these moves signal about where the spirits business is headed. This conversation offers insights into the forces reshaping the beverage alcohol landscape in 2025 and beyond.
Featured Guests:Ryan Lake, Managing Director, Arlington Capital Advisors
Mentioned in this episode:
Park Street's 2024 M&A Report
Arlington Capital Advisors
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us a text
Launching an unproven concept into an untapped market segment requires exceptional courage. For Emma Wykes and Seedlip, the vast potential they saw in the non-alcoholic spirits category transformed this calculated risk into a pioneering opportunity.
Join host Andres Correa as he sits down with Emma Wykes, the former COO of Seedlip Drinks. As a figure who played a pivotal role in building the world's first non-alcoholic spirits brand that caught the attention of industry giant Diageo, Wykes's entrepreneurial journey serves as a prime case study of how founders can successfully build disruptive brands that last.
Now a founding partner at Pollen Projects and CEO of Seasn Cocktail bitters, Emma brings her wealth of experience in the beverage industry to share invaluable insights on what it takes to launch and scale innovative drink concepts in today's competitive market.
Featured Guests:Emma Wykes, Founding Partner of Pollen Projects & CEO of Seasn
Mentioned in this episode:
Seedlip
Diageo
Pollen Projects
Seasn
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us a text
The battle over "additive-free" tequila labeling has exposed a deep rift between tradition and transparency in Mexico's most iconic spirit. When Tequila Matchmaker's data revealed widespread additive use despite contrary claims, it didn't just challenge the CRT's regulatory authority – it forced a reckoning with consumer trust in an industry built on artisanal heritage.
For many independent brands, an "additive-free" certification from The Additive Free Alliance became a cornerstone of marketing, symbolizing transparency and authenticity. But when Mexico's tequila regulator, the CRT, cracked down on these claims last September, it left brands and consumers questioning the future of transparency in tequila production. The Park Street Insider Podcast explores this controversy with industry journalist Clay Dillow, who joins Emmett Strack to examine the rise of additive-free tequila and the impact of the CRT's recently imposed restrictions on the category.
Featured Guests:Clay Dillow, Contributing Writer at Fortune Magazine
Mentioned in this episode:
Consejo Regulador del Tequila
Tequila Matchmaker
The Additive Free Alliance
VinePair
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us a text
The Park Street Insider Podcast is ending the year with an exploration of the EU & UK alcohol markets. Europe leads the world in alcohol consumption, with eight of the top ten biggest alcohol-consuming countries being European. Despite its distribution makeup taking a different form than in the U.S. market, EU and UK distributors remain at the center of the spirits industry landscape.
This episode offers a window into the current dynamics driving the EU and UK spirits markets through the eyes of key distributors. Emily Pennington sits down with a panel of experts at Bar Convent Berlin to cover the best paths for brands to succeed in this region. They'll start by providing listeners with a framework for understanding the EU market and move into breaking down the key categories and economic factors currently shaping the market landscape. Finally, they'll deliver best practices for brands looking to work with distributors in the EU and UK.
Featured Guests:
- Chris Maffeo, Founder, Maffeo Drinks
- Michael Vachon, Co-Founder, Maverick Drinks
- Søren Hansen, Sales Director, BeMakers
Mentioned in this episode:
Maffeo Drinks
BeMakers
Maverick Drinks
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us a text
Low & No is one of beverage-alcohol's spotlight categories in 2024. Many projections indicate that the segment will continue to expand its influence in terms of shelf presence, case volumes, and overall consumer awareness. But while the category's forecast is bright, low & no represents only a marginal share of total beverage alcohol.
In this episode, Emmett Strack sits down with industry veterans and low-and-no leaders to unpack the category's rise and trajectory in 2024 and beyond. The group will consider how the category became relevant, what the rise of low-and-no says about the modern consumer, and what major suppliers are doing to align with this trend.
Featured Guests:
- Spiros Malandrakis, Global Head of Research - Alcoholic Drinks, Euromonitor International
- Camille Vidal, Founder, La Maison Wellness
- Raphael Vollmar, CEO & CO Founder, Rheinland Distillers GmbH
Mentioned in this episode:
Euromonitor International
La Maison Wellness
Rheinland Distillers GmbH
Diageo
Seedlip
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Send us a text
Establishing a sound financial model in a business's early days is crucial for spirits brands to set a foundation for sustainable growth. A well-crafted financial plan helps brands minimize surprises and accurately forecast the capital-intensive aspects of the spirits business.
In this episode, you'll hear two presentations on financial modeling. First, former Pernod Ricard executive Guillaume Thomas will share his best practices for financial success during the brand-building process. Then, Felipe Gonzalez-Gordon discusses the costs associated with competing in the beverage alcohol business.
Featured Guests:
- Guillaume Thomas, Founder and CEO, Martingale Cognac
- Felipe Gonzalez-Gordon, COO & Partner, Colangelo & Partners
Mentioned in this episode:
Martingale Cognac
Colangelo & Partners
Watch the full videos on YouTube:
4 Focus Areas for Financial Success in the Alcohol Business
The Costs of Competing in the Beverage Alcohol Business
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Brands are often founded with the purpose of aligning with a given trend and exploiting a perceived white space in the market. In the mid-2000s, introducing a premium bourbon may have seen high growth, likewise for rolling out a specialty high-end tequila in the early to mid-2010s. But when founders really get it right, and their offering is able to align with multiple trends at once, it's possible to see uniquely explosive growth. Such was the case for Surfside, which saw over a million cases sold over the course of a year between 2022 and 2023.
Surfside is a Philadelphia-based ready-to-drink brand rolled out by the creators of Stateside Vodka. With RTDs taking center stage as the spirits industry's spotlight category, Surfside was able to build on this platform to leverage consumer interest in flavor variety, health consciousness, and convenience into the highest-growth brand in the United States.
On this episode of the Park Street Insider Podcast, Emily Pennington is joined by Clement Pappas, CEO of Stateside Brands. The two discuss how Surfside went from concept to can to achieving astronomical sales in just a few years. They'll explore the brand's unique route-to-market strategy and how they dealt with demand and scaled the business.
Featured Guests:
- Clement Pappas, CEO, Stateside Brands
Mentioned in this episode:
Stateside Vodka
Surfside
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
The landscape of on-premise spirits consumption has undergone significant shifts in the past few years, challenging the long-held view that primary drivers of growth for spirits brands take place on-premise. The aftermath of the pandemic has seen consumers engage differently with bars and restaurants, learn to be at-home bartenders, display increased health consciousness, and grapple with inflationary pressures that affect their spending habits. These macro-level changes have affected brands’ approaches to on-premise strategies.
Despite the challenges, on-premise continues to offer unique opportunities for brands to educate consumers, facilitate product sampling, and drive sales. The question now is how brands can best leverage the opportunities presented by bars, restaurants, and other venues in this evolving landscape. To explore this topic, Emmett Strack sat down with prominent players in the New York City on-premise scene at Bar Convent Brooklyn this past June. This in-depth conversation delves into strategies for fostering meaningful relationships between brands and bars in 2024 and beyond, addressing the changing dynamics of the industry and exploring approaches to on-premise engagement in a post-pandemic world.
Featured Guests:
- GN Chan, Co-Founder, Double Chicken Please
- Sebastien Derbomez, Manager of Brand Advocacy, William Grant & Sons
- Jason Hedges, Director of Beverage, Laurent Tourondel & Founder, Bar IQ
Mentioned in this episode:
Double Chicken Please
William Grant & Sons
Laurent Tourondel
Bar IQ
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
At one point or another, every person in the spirits industry is almost certain to have their career altered, influenced, or shaped by personal relationships. On a business-to-business level, many brands the Park Street Insider Podcast has hosted over the years echo similar sentiments around the crucial role partnerships have played in their trajectory. No brand is constructed in a vacuum, and the long-term success of each is often tied to the quality of partnerships they form with the companies around them at every stage of development.
The value of strong brand partnerships is perhaps no more evident than through the brand-building journey of Chris Montana, co-founder of Du Nord Social Spirits. Hailing from Minnesota, Du Nord’s growth was boosted by its ability to carefully align with the right partners. Being the first business to graduate from the Nearest & Jack Advancement Initiative, a partnership between Jack Daniel's and Uncle Nearest to increase diversity in the American whiskey industry, Chris was able to leverage this partnership into another: a deal with Delta Airlines.
So land a deal with the number one airline in the U.S. and you’ve made it, right? For Chris, Du Nord found itself in a scenario a bit like when the dog catches the car, having attained a major value-add and needing to learn on the fly how to navigate it. Chris is joined by Andres Correa to piece together how Du Nord was able to attract and navigate the challenges that came with a major partnership with Delta Airlines.
Featured Guests:
- Chris Montana, Co-Founder, Du Nord Social Spirits
Mentioned in this episode:
Du Nord Social Spirits
Delta Airlines
Nearest & Jack Advancement Initiative
More from Park Street.
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Sign up for episode email alerts.
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
In the late '90s, Joe Magliocco made a small investment to become the sole owner of the Michter's whiskey trademark, a historic brand originally founded by a Swiss Mennonite farmer in the 1700s that had since fallen into obscurity. The trademark only cost Magliocco $245 to snap up at a time when consumers and distributors wanted nothing to do with the category. Thanks to a sound strategy, great team building, and a meticulous method of production, the revitalized brand was named The World's Most Admired Whisky by Drinks International.
The Park Street Insider Podcast is pleased to welcome one of the industry's top-tier brand-builders, Joeseph Magliocco, to discuss his journey developing a forgotten entity into a global phenomenon. The two discuss the key decisions that helped to elevate the brand, and development of the whiskey segment in the U.S.
Featured Guests:
- Joeseph J. Magliocco, President, Michter's
Mentioned in this episode:
Michter's
More from Park Street.
Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Sign up for episode email alerts.
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
From the start of the 2020s, beverage alcohol's merger and acquisition sector has proved to be a dynamic lens through which the wider spirits market can be evaluated. The last four years have seen the M&A market go through phases of high growth, diversification, and contraction.
At this year's American Craft Spirits Association Convention in Denver, Emmett Strack was joined by a group of experts within the M&A landscape to discuss the ebbs and flows of investment activity in recent years. The group offers insight into the market conditions, performing categories, and underlying consumer behavior driving investor decision-making in 2024.
The conversation gives a unique window into the criteria brands need to satisfy for strategic acquirers to consider making an investment. It examines Black Button Distilling's journey of initial investment and subsequent divestiture by Constellation Brands.
Featured Guests:
- Kevin O'Brien, Managing Director, BMO Capital Markets
- Ryan Lake, Managing Director, Arlington Capital Advisors
- Jason Barrett, CEO & Master Distiller, Black Button Distilling
Mentioned in this episode:
Constellation Brands
Black Button Distilling
Zepponi & Company
Arlington Capital Advisors
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
The spirits market is constantly driven by new trends that rise, fall, and reinvent themselves. While brand success is relative to the goals of each founder, the extent to which a business can commercially blossom in the spirits category is often determined along the lines of good timing and a laser focus on aligning with the trends of the moment.
Of the many positive elements John Rexer, the founder of Ilegal Mezcal, had going for him when he formulated his brand in the mid-2000s, good timing and aligning with the trends of the time were paramount to his brand's long-term success. Now a global leader in the mezcal category, Rexer took the time to chat with Park Street's Emmett Strack at Bar Convent Brooklyn last month.
The two dive into how Rexer turned an experimental passion project in Guatemala into a global supplier owned by Bacardi. They chat about how Ilegal's punk-rock ethos helped them to win over business in New York's on-premise, his advice for brands, and the challenges of introducing an artisanal spirit to the international market.
Featured Guests:
- John Rexer, Founder, Ilegal Mezcal
Mentioned in this episode:
Ilegal Mezcal
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Beverage alcohol distributors sit at the epicenter of a cluttered product landscape where, according to Mark Harmon of the Independent Distributor Network, “God isn’t making any more shelf space.” Distributors only have so much time and attention they can give to each spirits brand. What’s left is for brands to do everything in their power to make a compelling case that their products deserve to take up a meaningful share of a distributor's attention.
Emily Pennington sat down with key figures at Southern Glazers, Breakthru Beverage Group, Skurnik Wines & Spirits, and the Independent Distributor Network at Bar Convent Brooklyn this month to discuss the current state of beverage alcohol’s second tier. This diverse cast of key wholesalers offers a window into how distributors are viewing and operating the market for spirits brands in 2024.
They'll explore the evolving dynamics within distribution in the wake of the pandemic and uncover what distributors are looking for when considering a new brand partnership. They'll also highlight the red flags that can derail a brand's chances of securing distribution.
Featured Guests:
* Ray Lombard, Executive Vice President of Craft Spirits, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits
* John Oliver, Sr. Director of Supplier Business Development, Breakthru Beverage Group
* Adam Schuman, Spirits Portfolio Manager, Skurnik Wines
* Mark Harmann, National Sales Director, Independent Distributor Network
Mentioned in this episode:
Southern Glazers
Breakthru Beverage Group
Independent Distributor Network
Skurnik Wines & Spirits
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
* LinkedIn
* Facebook
* Twitter
* Instagram
The rate of change seen in beverage alcohol over the last couple of years has been nothing short of impressive. We’re fast approaching the midway point of 2024 and have started to see some trends that emerged over the last two years begin to cement themselves.
In this speech given at Bar Convent Berlin, Spiros Malandrakis, International Head of Research—Alcoholic Drinks at Euromonitor, discusses the top trends shaping the alcohol industry in 2024. Malandrakis touches on issues like premiumization, RTDs, and e-commerce and how they are affecting the industry.
Featured Guest:
Spiros Malandrakis, Head of Alcoholic Research, Euromonitor International
Mentioned in this episode:
Euromonitor International
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Few spirits brands cater to the entrepreneurial spirit like the Bardstown Bourbon Company. In a category that generally requires a massive investment on the part of a founder to launch a brand, Bardstown's unique model has found a way to lower the barrier of entry into the whiskey for aspiring entrepreneurs. And while almost every spirits brand will claim to incorporate tradition and innovation, you'd be hard-pressed to find a company that balances these two principles like Bardstown Bourbon.
The Park Street Insider Podcast welcomes Mark Erwin, the CEO of Bardstown Bourbon Company, for an in-depth conversation on the development of the Kentucky-based distillery. He and Andres Correa will discuss how the brand initially developed its collaborative distilling model and grew it into a platform that could support the needs of its partners while growing its own brand. The two map out the series of expansion plays the company made over its decade in business, including the investment from Constellation Brands and its acquisition of Green River Distillery.
Key Topics
- The importance of collaboration
From working closely with founders and distillers producing custom-made spirits to partnering with well-known beverage-alcohol brands to introduce unique products into their line of SKUs, Bardstown is a company that's success has been found by reaching into the community around them.
- How to scale and increase capacity
Throughout its history, Bardstown has made several strategic moves that have allowed it to increase capacity and scale its business. Learn about how they leveraged their founder's initial investment into additional funding and why the purchase of Green River Distilling supported many sides of their business.
- The value of transparency
From it's all-glass infrastructure to selling its competitor's spirits in their own retail shop, Bardstown;s investment in transparency has made them a compelling brand for consumers and industry members alike to engage with.
Featured Guest:
Mark Erwin, CEO, Bardstown Bourbon Company
Mentioned in this episode:
Bardstown Bourbon Company
Green River Distilling
Constellation Brands
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
E-commerce in beverage alcohol has historically lagged behind traditional CPG sectors, but thanks to the pandemic and the gradual loosening DTC shipping laws, we're seeing this channel assume a meaningful share of alcohol sales for the first time.
In this episode, the Park Street Insider Podcast welcomes ReserveBar CEO, Derek Correia. He and Emily Pennington evaluate how bev-alc e-commerce has progressed to where it is today, how ReserveBar was able to scale its business to sit at the center of online bev-alc sales, and how brands can build e-commerce into their strategy. They also explore key insights regarding how consumers behave online and the spirits categories/price tiers that are currently trending.
Key topics mentioned:
- What will the future of bev-alc e-commerce look like?
Millennial and Gen-Z consumers have an increasing interest in buying alcohol online. Correia posits the concept of "e-commerce everywhere" and offers a profile of how the modern shopper behaves. Doing an on-site brand activation? Derek sees a world where the time between a consumer trying a product and subsequently purchasing it online shrinks to a matter of seconds. He and Emily discuss how e-commerce is set to influence industry dynamics down the road.
- What does Uber dissolving Drizly mean for bev-alc e-commerce?
With Uber shutting down Drizly at the beginning of 2024, questions were raised about what the future of the sector would look like. Correia offers his thoughts on how this move alters the bev-alc e-commerce landscape. ReserveBar is attempting to fill the void for brands whose money was tied to the known depletions of Drizly. "Brands don't enjoy the same ability to influence purchase in that last mile digitally as all other CPG does, so platforms like ours have become very important"
- What strategies can brands use to implement e-commerce capabilities?
Correia gives his best practices for using an online presence to leverage sales. He emphasizes the importance of building out a frictionless path to purchase across all online consumer touchpoints. He also offers his take on the mistakes he sees brands making when constructing their e-commerce presence.
In this episode you'll hear from:
Derek Correia, CEO, ReserveBar
Mentioned in this episode:
ReserveBar
Minibar Delivery
GetStocked
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Brand building in the spirits industry is always context dependent. What might drive sales in one market may have little relevance in another. The result is a necessity for brand's to understand the performance drivers, consumption habits and key trends in their target markets and channels.
On this special crossover episode, Chris Maffeo, host of the Maffeo Drinks Podcast, joins the Park Street Insider Podcast's Emmett Strack for a wide ranging chat on the key consumer trends propping up the U.S. and EU markets in 2024. The two explore the categories in demand in both sectors, the consumer behaviors driving purchasing in 2024 and considerations with brands to align with them.
In many ways, the compatibility between the U.S. and EU beverage-alcohol markets has never been stronger. With the U.S. on-premise at the frontier of the global cocktail scene, bars in major European cities are taking their cues from leading programs in New York, LA, and Miami. At the same time U.S. consumer's hunt for authenticity and new flavor profiles have made European spirits an object of desire. Emmett and Chris explore how key industry trends resonate with both the U.S. and EU markets.
Key topics mentioned:
The Intersection of Category and Flavor
- Emmett and Chris explore the key drivers of consumption for the average consumer in 2024. They dive into why SKU innovations along the lines of flavor are making it more likely than ever for consumers to drink across categories.
U.S. vs EU On-Premise Trends
- Four years on from the start of the pandemic, what's the pulse of the on-premise? The two explore the visitation levels and cocktail trends the industry can expect in the coming year from both U.S. and EU perspectives. They chat about the influence of the U.S. when informing the direction taken by the EU bar scene.
Categories on the Rise
- Emmett and Chris compare the different phases of adoption agave spirits have reached in the U.S. and EU. They'll explore the spirits categories set to gain the most traction between the two regions in the coming year.
In this episode you'll hear from:
Chris Maffeo, Founder, Maffeo Drinks
Mentioned in this episode:
The MAFFEO DRINKS Podcast
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Control states can feel like a weighty subject. They're one of the main reasons that the U.S. should be taken as fifty individual markets as opposed to a unified entity. But with the right context and know-how, making sales in these states won't seem like such a large hurdle.
On this episode of the Park Street Insider Podcast, Ashley Glickman, Executive Vice President of National Sales at Westward Whiskey, offers a supplier perspective on making sales in control states. She’ll break down three models for how control states regulate retailers and describe how each impacts the selling dynamics for brands off-premise. She’ll go into listing criteria, product placement dynamics, and various sales approaches.
In this episode you'll hear from:
Ashley Glickman, Executive Vice President-National Sales, Westward Whiskey
Mentioned in this episode:
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
Westward Whiskey
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Going from founding a brand to selling it to a strategic acquirer in less than three years is an achievement worthy of celebrating. But for Mike Montgomery, founder of Blue Run Spirits, this milestone was only the start of the hard work. Now backed by Molson Coors, Montgomery is more motivated than ever to make waves in the trending bourbon category.
On this episode of the Park Street Insider Podcast, Andres Correa is joined by Blue Run Spirits founder Mike Montgomery to unpack how his brand went from launching in 2019 to becoming the first spirits acquisition by multinational beer supplier Molson Coors in just three years.
Key topics mentioned:
Adjusting to Acquisition:
- Andres and Mike break down how Blue Run was able to leverage the traction it saw in the bourbon market into a sale with a multinational strategic supplier.
Modern Marketing Methods:
- Blue Run Spirits took principles from the fashion industry to generate consumer excitement through limited releases and "drops". Every aspect of the brand was created with the consumer in mind, with a particular emphasis on diverse flavors and compelling aesthetics.
The Power of Team Building
- When Mike set out to build Blue Run he handpicked teammates that would excel across every vertical of the company. His story is a reminder that surrounding yourself with good people and uniting behind a common goal goes a long way to fulfilling your vision.
In this episode you'll hear from:
Mike Montgomery, Founder, Blue Run Spirits
Mentioned in this episode:
Molson Coors
Blue Run Spirits
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
As larger portions of Gen-Z reach legal drinking age, their impact on the alcohol industry is becoming more pronounced and the segment's preferences have come into full view. What's become increasingly clear is that how this demographic interacts with alcohol is dramatically different from each generation that's come before it.
Strikingly, Gen-Z is more inclined to imbibe on-premise than any other age bracket in the current market. So as this demographic brings its shifting consumption patterns into bars, restaurants, and venues, in this Essential Talk, Charlie Mitchell, Research & Insights Director at Nielsen IQ Global, is taking a look at how brands can adapt to capture Gen-Z's attention on-premise.
Key topics mentioned:
Identifying Gen-Z:
- Mitchell explores the core values of Gen-Z to give brands and bars a sense of how to target this consumer group. "If you activate well, you can build relationships for life."
The importance of digital marketing:
- Gen-Z is highly inclined to explore new categories. One of the biggest contributing factors to how they establish new associations with brands is through social media. Mitchell shares some strategies for engaging Gen-Z digitally before they even arrive on-premise.
Occasion based drinking:
- Mitchell makes the case for why the on-premise's allure to Gen-Z is rooted in their value for experiences. He dives into the type of experiences Gen-Z is after and how they can drive engagement from this demographic.
In this episode you'll hear from:
Charlie Mitchell, Research & Insights Director, Nielsen IQ Global
Mentioned in this episode:
NielsenIQ
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
In the early days of laying the groundwork for her brand, Buzzballz, Merrilee Kick received a call from a distributor who informed her that, despite having a contract in place, they would be canceling their order, asserting that ready-to-drink products were a "fad." In 2024 it's almost impossible to imagine that her now iconic brand was ever in such a position, but Kick's beverage-alcohol journey was non-linear and faced adversities known to many early-stage entrepreneurs.
Kick joins Emmett Strack and the Park Street Insider Podcast to share her journey of building Buzzballz into one of the largest ready-to-drink suppliers in the world, operating across all 50 states and 27 countries.
Key topics mentioned:
Top-Down Alignment:
- One constant between brands that break away from the pack to become a beverage-alcohol category leader is a top-down alignment of goals, intentions, and brand ethos. When Merrilee Kick set out to create an iconic package, she built a team, and infrastructure that worked in unison to achieve this.
Patience as a Virtue:
- Buzzballz did not become a category leader overnight. Kick explains why entrepreneurs should be ready to self-sacrifice and be patient while the brand builds on each milestone. She also hints at why brand-builders usually need more capital than they think to get it done.
In this episode you'll hear from:
Merrilee Kick, CEO & Founder, Buzzballz / Southern Champion LLC
Mentioned in this episode:
Buzzballz
The Beverage Alcohol Manual (BAM)
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
The impact of ready-to-drink beverages on the beverage alcohol landscape has been profound, and by all accounts, their influence is only set to increase. Over time, the category has gone from being on the fringes of drinking culture to guiding the core strategies of some of the world's largest beverage companies. So, what does this trend say about consumers in 2023 and beyond? And how will the industry react to its sustained success?
The Park Street Insider Podcast welcomes Spiros Malandrakis, Industry Manager for Alcoholic Drinks at Euromonitor International, to the mic for a conversation with Emily Pennington on why RTDs resonate with consumers and what their widespread appeal means for the industry. They'll break down the different types of RTDs, unpack the market conditions that have led to their success in the U.S. and abroad, and consider how brands of all sizes can use this trend to their advantage.
Key topics mentioned:
Phases of Development
- Ready-to-drink beverages may have hit their stride in the last few years, but it's been an evolving category for decades. We trace the phases of RTD development to explain why they have become so relevant in today's market.
RTDs: Not a Static Principle
- Malandrakis explains why the flexibility of RTDs to fit different companies, consumer cultures, and sub-categories has made them the perfect antidote to a drinker's current thirst for innovative products.
In this episode you'll hear from:
Spiros Malandrakis, Industry Manager - Alcoholic Drinks, Euromonitor International
Mentioned in this episode:
Euromonitor International
5 Alcohol Trends Shaping the Industry
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
If you're new to running a business, getting your books in order for year-end can seem like a sizable hurdle. But with the right organizational tools and know-how brand owners can cut down on the stress of this process. Maria Pearman, a CPA specializing in beverage alcohol, joins the Park Street Insider Podcast to shed some valuable insights and strategies that will help streamline the process of year-end accounting.
- Accounting Housekeeping - Pearman covers key aspects of staying organized with accounting; advising on the importance of ensuring that retained earnings align with prior years and reviewing open transactions before submitting to a tax preparer.
- Tax Strategy - Pearman urges companies to plan for tax distributions to partners to cover potential tax burdens.
- 1099s & W2s - She also emphasizes the importance of early preparation and communication with payroll providers to navigate complexities such as fringe benefits for S corporations.
In this episode you'll hear from:
Maria Pearman, Principal, GHJ
Mentioned in this episode:
GHJ
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Few entrepreneurs have built a portfolio of brands quite like Alexandre Gabriel. His vision helped transform a once dormant cognac house into the leading global supplier that is Maison Ferrand today. Join Emily Pennington as she examines what it takes to build a leading global portfolio of alcohol brands through the eyes of one of its most beloved entrepreneurs.
Gabriel will share key insights about:Balancing Priorities
- The ability to adapt to early missteps in brand building will go a long way to determining your brand's trajectory. Gabriel wants entrepreneurs to set the balance between appreciating the science behind producing the liquid and understanding the financial structures that prop it up as early as possible.
Industry Evolution
- Despite building brands across a spectrum of categories, Gabriel managed to apply similar entrepreneurial principles to each one to bring them to the fore. After decades spent managing each, he's seen how the industry has evolved to expect new ideas across these sectors. You'll hear how the cognac, gin, and rum categories have developed over time to become what they are today.
The value of partnerships
- Whether it's building strong connections between the farmers that give suppliers raw materials or developing the right connections with distributors, Gabriel sees maintaining quality relationships as paramount to the success of any business. Learn about how he leveraged a family tradition of farming and his business background to develop Maison Ferrand into a global portfolio.
In this episode you'll hear from:
Alexandre Gabriel, Owner & Master Blender, Maison Ferrand
Mentioned in this episode:
Maison Ferrand
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Very few categories have as much heritage and tradition as wine, and innovators in the space often fight an uphill battle. In this Essential Talk from Alison Luvera, Founder & CEO of Juliet Wine, she discusses the brand's journey to becoming an industry disruptor in boxed wine. She explains the brand's three pillars of marketing and how authenticity and intentionality lead to the brand's breakthrough success.
- Reversing Negative Stigmas- Alison discusses how the mission of Juilet Wine is to reimagine boxed wine for the modern consumer. Box wine has a longer shelf life and a smaller carbon footprint than its bottle counterpart, and the stubborn negative stigma surrounding boxed wine is preventing innovation in the space.
- Culture, Community, Change- The three pillars of Juilet Wine's marketing strategy are culture, community, and change. Alison provides real-world examples of how the brand leverages each pillar in its marketing.
- The Forefront of Premiumization- Alison discusses what separates Juilet Wine from traditional boxed wine to allow the brand to be embraced by upscale on-premise accounts.
In this episode you'll hear from:
Alison Luvera, Founder & CEO, Juliet Wine
Mentioned in this episode:
Juliet Wine
Entrepreneurial Insights: Juliet's Modern Marketing Model
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Many of the Park Street podcast guests extoll the importance of vision to the brand-building process. But before a vision can materialize, an understanding needs to form around the actual cost of goods that will be incurred during the production process. With this Essential Talk from Paul Monahan of Matchbook Distilling, a contract distillery based in Long Island, we're taking a granular look at the financial implications and timelines for producing a spirit.
To give founders an effective template for costing out production Paul covers:
- Production unit economics - Paul delivers a comprehensive breakdown of the timeline it takes to produce both 300 and 600-gallon runs of a given spirit. He highlights the associated costs and issues the total expenses that you can expect for spirits production.
- Glass economics - After the spirit is produced, it's time to put it in a bottle. Paul combs through the associated costs of securing glass and runs through the supply chain expenses that coincide with this process.
- Data analysis - Taking an active approach to understanding the data behind the cost of goods is the only way founders can get the full picture of how much they actually want to spend before making commitments. Paul uses label pricing and finished cocktail breakdown to explore this principle.
In this episode you'll hear from:
Paul Monahan, COO, Matchbook Distilling
Mentioned in this episode:
Matchbook Distilling
2023 Craft Spirits Data Project - Distillers Survey
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Across the industry, beverage alcohol brands are looking to sure up their long-term prospects by investing along the lines of high-growth categories. So when cult favorite whiskey brand Ole Smoky decided it was time to invest in their future, they didn't have to look much further than high-flying tequila maker Tanteo Spirits. On this episode, Neil Grosscup, President of Tanteo Spirits, joins the Park Street Insider Podcast to share his experience in the spirits industry and the development of Tanteo up through the point of sale.
Grosscup will share key insights about:Managing a Successful Career Arc
- If you go from being an unpaid intern to CEO of a spirits brand in less than four years, chances are you're doing something right. Grosscup's story is a reminder that with passion and hard work, there are many paths to success in beverage alcohol.
How to Win Over Retail Accounts
- Tanteo's hyper-focused approach to winning over bartenders was part of the reason they were able to develop the brand into an attractive investment. Grosscup will explain the methods they used when doing in-market visits to attain menu placements and drive sales.
Overseeing A Sale and Merger
- Grosscup gives listeners an inside look at the decision-making process leading up to Tanteo's sale to Ole Smoky and what owners should look out for when undergoing a merger.
In this episode you'll hear from:
Neil Grosscup, President, Tanteo Spirits
Mentioned in this episode:
Tanteo Tequila
Ole Smoky
2023 Craft Spirits Data Project - Distillers Survey
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Consumers aren’t all alcohol connoisseurs; many rely on labels to inform their in-store purchase decisions. In this Essential Talk, Cole Clark, President of AmygdaLaunch, wants to help brands optimize their approach to labeling to help drive purchase decisions. Clark discusses the implications of label data and how beverage alcohol brands can interpret the findings.
In this episode, you'll hear from:Cole Clark, President, AmygdaLaunch
You'll hear key insights about:
- The key factors for how successful labels can help drive purchases. Clark dives into the importance of assessing data on different label aspects to ensure success using descriptive terms, color combinations, and contrast. Ultimately, he wants brands to create a label that reflects the values of their target consumer.
- How certain labels perform given seasonality factors. Clark investigates a case study from a major wine supplier that noticed a stark change in label preferences based on the time of year.
Mentioned in this episode:
AmygdaLaunch
2023 Craft Spirits Data Project - Distillers Survey
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
We're thrilled to release our Impact Investment seminar recorded at Bar Convent Brooklyn 2023. On the Park Street University stage, Emily Pennington sat down with some of the leading impact investors for a high-level discussion about what they're doing to make a positive social impact while boosting their bottom lines in the spirits industry.
In this episode you'll hear from:
Jomaree Pinkard, CEO & Managing Director, Pronghorn
Kamuti Kiteme, Managing Director - Inclusive Investment Programs, Distill Ventures
Maria Pearman, Principal, GHJ
Andrew Merinoff, CEO, Chinola & DisPact Ventures
Katie Dunn, Partner, Power to Pitch
You'll hear critical insights from impact investors about:
The intersection of impact investments and mentorship
- While some investors issue checks and track their investments from the sidelines, our contributors make a case for a hands-on approach to investing that builds sustainable long-term partnerships.
Balancing ROI and altruism
- Impact investors from Distill Ventures and Pronghorn will always seek out talented individuals from underrepresented groups that are pushing boundaries and being innovative, but it's essential that they see the proof points of a strong business as well. They'll explain how they balance influencing positive social ecosystems while measuring KPIs for return on investment in a business.
Red flags for investment pitches
- With decades of experience in this space between them, our panelists have seen the difference between brands that secure funding and those that don't. Our panelists make the case for a hyper-focused approach to pitching investors that leaves no room for ambiguity about your goals and trajectory.
Mentioned in this episode:
Pronghorn
Distill Ventures
GHJ
Dispact Ventures
Chinola
Power To Pitch
2023 Craft Spirits Data Project - Distillers Survey
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Not many alcohol brands can claim to have taken a nearly 30-year hiatus from producing their spirit, only to revive it and build their business into a category leader. However, Tequila Fortaleza is not your average brand. It entered the U.S. market during the early stages of tequila's popularity boom and rapidly became one of the most celebrated agave spirit brands in the industry.
In this episode, Park Street's Jesse Cortez sits down with Billy Erickson, the Sales and Marketing Manager of Tequila Fortaleza to dive into the rise and development of his family's brand.
Erickson will cover the history of the brand from front to back, recounting how he helped his father build and expand the business in its early days and what the duo sees for Fortaleza in the future. He explains how their patient approach to expansion in the U.S. market paid off in the long run.
Having been at the heart of the business for over a decade, Billy offers insight into the operational aspects of Tequila Fortaleza. You'll get a sense of how Billy and his team achieved a positive cash flow for the brand in a relatively short window by generating traction in the on-premise. He also offers his best practices for hiring, how to pick a distribution partnership, and what they would have done differently if he could do it over again.
Join us as the Park Street Insider Podcast explores what it took for Tequila Fortaleza to become a driving force in the hottest spirits category in beverage alcohol.
Episode Breakdown:
0:00 - Introduction
5:26 - Erickson's background
6:40 - Erickson's key skillset for industry members
8:10 - Learning about the industry as a newcomer
10:40 - History of Fortaleza
14:40 - Key decisions when building Fortaleza
17:30 - The importance of trade shows
19:25- How the Tequila category landscape has evolved
22:00 - Fortaleza's current footprint
23:30 - Erickson's strategy for winning retail accounts
26:00 - Hiring and training practices
29:00 - Running industry engagement programs
33:15 - Best approach for picking out a distribution partner
35:10 - Advice for establishing a trademark
37:00 - Best tips for brands first getting started in beverage-alcohol
40:45 - Fortaleza's expansion plans
44:09 - Navigating acquisition conversations
In this episode you'll hear from:
Billy Erickson, Sales and Marketing Manager, Tequila Fortaleza
Mentioned in this episode:
Tequila Fortaleza
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
The popularity boom of agave spirits over the past decade needs no introduction. The category saw a volume increase of 13% between 2021 and 2022 alone, according to IWSR, and is poised to take an ever-increasing share of the total spirits market.
In the latest Essential Talks episode from the Park Street Insider Podcast, you'll hear from Carlos Ochoa, the COO of Mezcal El Silencio. In this talk, Ochoa will give listeners insight into what it's like to produce an agave spirit in Mexico with a window into the brand's production process.
He offers brand owners an understanding of how bottles are produced and eventually make their way to a point of sale. He also offers a cost-of-goods breakdown for each step, explaining how a bottle arrives at a certain price point.
Ochoa also makes the case for marketing agave spirits brands in ways that honor Mexican culture. He shares how his brand brought its production capabilities in-house to flip the script on outdated representations of mezcal production.
Episode Breakdown:
1:15 - The cost of buying finished goods
2:35 - The backward incentives for brokers
4:30 - Making the case for in-house production
Key Quote:"I'm a true believer that optimization does not mean industrialization. By buying finished goods, you're incentivizing the producers and the broker to squeeze down every penny. What I'm trying to convince people of is to hire those people (producers) directly."
In this episode you'll hear from:
Carlos Ochoa, COO, Mezcal El Silencio
Mentioned in this episode:
El Silencio
El Silencio’s Carlos Ochoa on Mezcal Production Costs & Innovation
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Mergers and acquisition deals often make for good headlines, but to take a step back and look at the sum of these deals often reveals larger insights in the state of beverage alcohol. This perspective can prove useful in helping brands shape their own strategies.
In this Essential Talk, Ryan Lake, Managing Director at Arlington Capital Advisors, provides an overview of the current trends driving M&A activity in beverage-alcohol.
Lake closely examines the perspectives of strategic acquirers, offering insights into spirits categories, packaging types, and technologies driving the market. He highlights the types of deals that dominate investments, showcasing how some of the biggest deals in the past year fit into these different investment structures.
Additionally, Lake examines one of the most dominant forces in the M&A landscape: industry and category convergence. He explains why it's suddenly become so attractive for major soda companies like Coca-Cola and Pepsi to enter the beverage-alcohol arena. You'll also hear about how major suppliers have broken category norms in recent months to align with consumer trends.
Listeners will learn about the best ways to incorporate M&A trends into their own thinking. Lake offers brand owners his best practices for staying agile in an ever-changing market.
Episode Breakdown:
1:50 - Trending spirits categories driving M&A
4:05 - Trending packaging types and occasions driving M&A
5:55 - New technologies and innovations driving M&A
7:17 - Most common types of investments
9:15 - Industry convergence
10:40 - How brands can take advantage of M&A trends
Key Quote:"If you're not building your brand for where the consumer is going, you're already getting left behind. Make sure you're watching the trends: trends that go beyond spirits, beyond spirits-based RTDs, beyond beverage-alcohol even."
In this episode you'll hear from:
Ryan Lake, Managing Director, Arlington Capital Advisors
Mentioned in this episode:
Park Street’s 2022 Beverage Alcohol M&A Overview
Arlington Capital Advisors
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
For years rum has been forecasted to be the next spirit category to undergo a major renaissance, and only in the last few years did that seem like it could be true thanks to a handful of innovative premium rum producers.
Marc Farrell, the founder, and CEO of Ten To One Rum, is among those producers seeking to elevate the category. When he founded Ten To One Rum in 2019 he leaned into his Caribbean heritage and the rich tradition of the spirit to create a premium and authentic brand identity that could propel that category into an exciting future.
On this episode of the Park Street Insider Podcast, Emily Pennington sits down with Farrell to trace his journey from a coffee executive to a leader in rum’s revival.
In this episode, he breaks down the status quo of the category and shares his approach to helping shift consumer perception. He also explains why rum is a category that should be seen as synonymous with craft.
Listeners will also get a sense of how Farrell's unique backstory made him a capable founder and hear about some of the key traits that have made him a successful entrepreneur.
Episode Breakdown:
0:00 - Introduction
5:15 - Farrell's key skillsets for entrepreneurs'
7:20 - Before Ten To One Rum
13:40 - Why start a rum brand?
16:10 - Challenges facing the rum category
22:05 - Milestones when brand building
25:28 - How Farrell learned about the industry as an outsider
29:40 - Ten To One's footprint today
32:10 - The shifting perceptions of rum
38:10 - Celebrity partnership with Ciara
Key Quote:"As a founder, I think it's important that you don't ask people to do anything that you're not willing to do yourself. I was the first salesperson: going to accounts, doing tastings, telling the story, and closing that sale. Having those first couple cases land and seeing them on that back bar was a major, major milestone."
In this episode you'll hear from:
Marc Farrell, Founder & CEO, Ten To One Rum
Mentioned in this episode:
Ten To One Rum
Bar Convent Brooklyn 2023
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
When Charles Gordon tasked Lesley Gracie with creating the quintessential English gin in 1999, there were no constraints on the level of experimentation she could employ to get the job done. It was only with a true sense of curiosity that the brand's flagship gin came to market infused with cucumber and rose. Now a leader in the craft spirits movement, Hendrick's achieved its status by making this sense of curiosity and experimentation crucial to its brand identity.
On this episode of Essential Talks from the Park Street Insider podcast, you'll hear from Muiris Ó Riada, Global Brand Director for Hendrick’s Gin at William Grant & Sons. Ó Riada will break down the steps Hendrick's has taken to activate the brand globally.
For Hendrick's Gin, fostering a sense of curiosity and experimentation at every step of the brand's operations is crucial. From the curation of new products to holding activation events for bartenders, listeners will hear about how the brand utilizes the principle of experimentation at every level. Ó Riada also explains how everyone on the Hendrick’s team plays a critical role in the brand's strategy. He also delivers his golden rules for telling the brand's story.
Episode Breakdown:
1:16 - Introduction to Hendrick's
2:07 - Golden Rules of brand activation
2:40 - History of Hendrick's
4:00 - How Hendrick's approaches innovation
6:30 - Engaging bartenders with new SKUs
7:45 - How Hendrick's uses its distillery to promote the brand
Key Quote:"For us on the brand, we're very ruthless in keeping to what makes the brand different. That family company mindset, that backing, is critical to that sense of curiosity without compromise."
In this episode you'll hear from:
Muiris Ó Riada, Global Brand Director for Hendrick’s Gin at William Grant & Sons
Mentioned in this episode:
Hendrick's Gin
William Grant & Sons
Park Street at Bar Convent Berlin
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market
Follow us for more industry insights on
Lars Williams first started his distilling journey by experimenting with what he saw as a gin made of foraged pin needles. But when sharing the spirit with a friend they told him that without using juniper berries it couldn't really be called a gin. After more spirits testing, Lars would soon learn that his affinity for experimentation and unique ingredients would rule his brand out of traditional standards for spirits categories altogether.
On this episode of the Park Street Insider Podcast, Andres Correa sits down with Lars Williams, Co-Founder of EMPIRICAL, to unpack the rise of his brand. The two uncover why EMPIRICAL found its identity by throwing out the playbook for traditional spirits distilling to create a truly unique brand based on flavor.
EMPIRICAL is currently making waves in the industry as a brand that approaches spirits production unlike any other. The company has become one of the most disruptive brands in beverage alcohol through the way it sources unique ingredients and utilizes alternative technologies to produce products that don't conform to any single category.
This conversation breaks down what it was like for Lars to build a brand as an outsider with no spirits industry experience. He'll explain how his role running the test kitchen proper at restaurant Noma in Copenhagen translated to developing unique flavor profiles in his spirits. He'll also share how he navigated the technical aspects of setting up a brand from a compliance perspective never having done this before.
They'll also get into Lar's vision for the brand in the future and what people can expect from EMPIRICAL in the coming years. Listeners will hear how staying true to his vision was vital to Lar's brand-building journey.
Episode Breakdown:
0:01 - Introduction 4:50 - Defining EMPIRICAL
7:36 - EMPIRCAL's Origins
9:40 - Coming into the spirits industry as an outsider
12:43 - Portfolio size and footprint
13:17 - Major brand-building milestones
15:50 - The creative process behind SOKA
20:07 - Experimentation
22:36 - Industry standards for sourcing ingredients
24:25 - U.S. market entry
26:25 - Route to market strategy
28:00 - Differences between U.S. and European markets
30:37 - Branding EMPIRICAL
33:12 - Opening a distillery in Brooklyn 38:21 - Compliance lessons when opening a distillery
36:22 - Key values as an entrepreneur
37:28 - Looking ahead
Key Quote:
"Stick to your guns. If you're starting a new brand there's going to be a ton of people saying that the markets are saturated or are too many players. But I think there's a lot of room for people who are trying to do something that is special, different, and high quality. I think it's an exciting time to be in the spirits industry."
In this episode you'll hear from:
Lars Williams, Co-Founder, EMPIRICAL
Mentioned in this episode:
EMPIRICAL
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Follow us for more industry insights on
Consolidation at the top of the distribution tier in recent years has resulted in higher levels of competition among smaller, independent distributors and suppliers alike. While at one time the U.S. market maintained around 3,500 wholesalers, this figure has been cut by more than two-thirds in the present day. Meanwhile, the number of wineries and craft distillers has exploded, narrowing the funnel through which suppliers can gain access to the second tier. With such high levels of competition among suppliers and rapid consolidation in the distribution tier, one big question looms: how are independent suppliers able to get the attention they need from distributors?
In this episode, Emily Pennington sits down with Mark Harmann, the National Sales Director of the Independent Distributor Network (IDN), for a discussion about the state of beverage-alcohol's second tier. The two dive into Mark's seasoned industry background, how the Independent Distributor Network operates, and the options available to suppliers and distributors who want to gain visibility in this cluttered landscape.
If you're looking to understand the status quo of the beverage-alcohol distribution tier, Harmann has you covered. He details the evolution of the distribution tier and explains how we arrived at the current environment today. He also explains the issues that IDN was built to solve and shares how his organization serves as a model for remedying the problems posed by consolidation.
This episode also offers some invaluable advice for brands when pitching to a distributor. As someone who aligns brands and distributors for a living, Harmann tells suppliers what to come to the table with when trying to attain distribution.
Episode Breakdown:
5:30 - Harmann's background
7:10 - Harmann's role at IDN
8:43 - What is IDN in a nutshell?
9:30 - History of the distribution tier in the U.S.
12:45 - Brand advocacy for national vs independent distributors 15:44 - How IDN helps smaller brands
18:20 - What distributors look for in suppliers
23:30 - How brands find IDN
24:30 - IDN's plans for the future
25:30 - Common traits between wholesalers in IDN
28:30 - Advice Harmann gives to prospective members
32:50 - Best communication practices between suppliers and distributors
35:00 - Incentivizing your distributor
In this episode you'll hear from:
Mark Harmann, National Sales Director, Independent Distributor Network
Mentioned in this episode:
Independent Distributor Network
You might also like:Park Street's Roundup of Distribution How-To's For SuppliersQuick Tips to Get Your Distributor's Attention
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Follow us for more industry insights on
The world of whiskey is expanding, and producers across the globe are coming up with new ways to innovate and drive the category forwards. With the demand for these spirits continuing to reach new heights, even established markets are finding ways to keep consumers engaged.
On this episode of the Park Street Insider podcast, you'll be hearing from Stephen Gould, the founder, CEO, and master distiller of Golden Moon Distillery. Gould is a whiskey expert who travels the world, educating, judging, and consulting within the whiskey category, in addition to running his own brand. In this talk, he gives an overview of three key world whiskey markets: the United States, Ireland, and Japan.
A student of the category, Gould will place each of these markets in a historical context to help explain the developments within them today. As a member of the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission, Gould details the rise of the American single malt category in the United States and shares what efforts are being made by producers for the U.S. government to formalize a definition for the segment. He’ll then explain why Irish whisky is reaching back into its historic roots to find new means of market differentiation and give an update on the state of Japanese whisky.
Gould gets into the technical details about how producers in the modern age are making differentiated whiskies that appeal to modern consumers. He cites innovation as the key for brands looking to set themselves apart in the market and gets into the importance of educating consumers.
Episode Breakdown:
2:08 - Background on the category
3:57 - American single malt category
9:59 - Irish whiskey
13:37 - Japanese whisky
**Key Quote:
"**The world right now has an unprecedented demand for brown spirits that we've never seen before."
In this episode you'll hear from:
Stephen Gould, Founder, CEO & Master Distiller, Golden Moon Distillery
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Follow us for more industry insights on
We get it, entering the U.S. market can feel like staring up at a looming mountain, but it doesn't have to. Robin Robinson, a brand consultant and spirits industry author, has been at the basecamp of the brand-building climb for years, giving brands the tools they need to succeed in the U.S. market. In this episode, Robinson brings his expertise in guiding small brands to U.S. market entry to the Park Street Insider Podcast.
An industry veteran, Robinson will give you his tools and cardinal rules for succeeding in the U.S. market. One key piece of advice for Robinson: don't spread yourself too thin early on in your brand-building journey. He'll explain why maintaining a small geographic footprint and consolidated shelf lineup will go a long way in gaining meaningful traction in your chosen market.
Robinson also helps entrepreneurs frame the way beverage-alcohol sales are made in the U.S. market, highlighting the importance of looking at beverage-alcohol sales as a B2B play. He wants brands to be sure that they appreciate the state-to-state regulatory variations before they go to market.
Robinson will even share two case studies of brands he's worked with, demonstrating how the decisions they made influenced their level of success.
Episode Breakdown:
1:16 - Robinson's background
2:35 - Bev-Alc sales as a B2B play
3:40 - U.S. market framework
5:04 - Building brand value
6:10 - The 4 cardinal rules of U.S. market entry 8:20 - Cost of sale
9:09 - Market levelers for small brands
9:57 - Market entry case studies
Key Quote:"You're looking to create ambassadors of your brand in each one of the individual markets without you being there. You want to capture the hearts, souls, and minds of the people you're selling to because they are going to be your virtual sales force."
In this episode you'll hear from:
Robin Robinson, Author, and Consultant
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Follow us for more industry insights on
When Giuseppe Gallo founded Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto in 2016, he had dreams of creating a culturally iconic symbol for Italy, like Armani or Ferrari. It's this vision that guided his decision-making while he was building the brand and ultimately caught Pernod Ricard's eye in 2020.
On this episode of the Park Street Insider Podcast, Emily Pennington and Gallo explore his journey in the alcohol business. They how his career in hospitality and experience as the global brand ambassador for Bacardi's Martini, led to Gallo's own venture.
He delivers an overview of the cordial and liqueurs and explains how his brand went about becoming a category leader. Listeners will hear how Gallo used his core entrepreneurial values of vision, innovation, and ethics to capitalize on a cordial and liquor category that was just starting to pick up steam when he founded the brand in 2019.
Gallo will also explain why targeting major U.S. markets like New York, Miami and Los Angeles right away was the right choice for his brand. He makes the case for a "citadel approach" to market entry and gets into his experience going door to door to pitch the brand. He also gets specific about the nature of Italics's partnership with Pernod Ricard and looks ahead to what's on tap for 2023.
Episode Breakdown:
0:19 - Beverage-Alcohol news from January 2:40 - Background on Cordials and Liqueurs
6:52 - Gallo's 3 key entrepreneurial values
9:40 - Gallo's background in hospitality
15:03 - Takeaways from Gallo's time as a brand ambassador at Bacardi
18:14 - The renaissance of Italian spirits in beverage-alcohol
20:03 - The founding of Italicus
21:50 - Gallo's milestone brand decisions
22:42 - Gallo on the importance of winning the on-premise to his strategy
28:07 - Why Gallo targeted major markets right away
30:15 - Partnership with Pernod Ricard
34:15 - Overview of Italics's global footprint
37:40 - Tips for aspiring entrepreneurs 38:21 - Using competitions as a brand-building moment
45:00 - Looking ahead to 2023
Key Quote:
"Without vision, you'll never be able to hold strong in a difficult time. There are so many different people and projects and whispers throughout your journey than can distract you from the final goal. It's important to always have a vision in mind of what you are trying to achieve because you're going to have limited resources and time."
In this episode you'll hear from:
Giuseppe Gallo, CEO, and Founder, Italicus
Mentioned in this episode:
Italicus
SAVOIA Americano
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Follow us for more industry insights on
Introducing a beverage-alcohol brand to the U.S. market requires a nuanced understanding of the regulatory landscape. Each state in the U.S. regulates beverage alcohol in its own unique way and each major city in the U.S. has its own drinks culture. While your brand might have a high-quality product that's well differentiated, you won't make it very far without doing your homework.
In a market that's as highly regulated and competitive as the U.S., having a targeted approach to market entry will make all the difference to your brand. On this episode of the Park Street Insider podcast, we're featuring a presentation from industry veteran Chris Ladas, Founder of XAL consulting, who presents an overview of the U.S. market.
Ladas takes a look at the different regions within the U.S. and gives listeners a sense of how nuanced each specific market can be when trying to make sales. He'll explain why sales channels that are vital to success in certain states might not be worthwhile in others. He also offers key considerations in both on and off-premise environments.
Episode Breakdown:
2:15 - Different regions in the U.S.
3:32 - Three-Tier System 4:16 - Considerations for major markets
8:35 - Marketing considerations
Key Quote:
"When you're looking at the rundown of the retail landscape, it truly varies in every landscape. And to consider the U.S. as a single market would be a big mistake."
In this episode you'll hear from:
Chris Ladas, Founder and Chief Consulting Officer, XAL Consulting
Mentioned in this episode:
The Keys to Selling Beverage Alcohol in Many Different Markets
XAL Consulting
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Follow us for more industry insights on
On the Park Street Insider Podcast, we often explore the underlying ethos that guide a brand concept to concrete success. For Richard Betts, the founder and CEO of Casa Komos Brands Group, the brands he's developed throughout his career—including Betts & School, Astral Tequila, Sombra Mezcal, and Tequila Komos among others—have always lived at the intersection of enthusiasm and opportunity.
On this episode, the Park Street Insider Podcast's Emily Pennington is joined by Betts to dive into his entrepreneurial journey. Betts got his start in restaurants, eventually becoming a wine director in Aspen and then certified as a Master Sommelier in 2003. He then went on to found both Betts and Scholl Wine and Scarpetta Wine before getting into the world of spirits where he helped develop Sombra Mezcal. Betts now runs Casa Komos Brands Group handling Tequila Komos and Superbird, plus a couple of impending brands he shares in this interview.
Having worked closely in both wine and spirits, Betts breaks down the primary differences and overlaps between operating brands in these two spheres. You'll also hear about Bett's values as a leader, outlining how to build healthy and effective company cultures.
Episode Breakdown:
0:12 - Introduction to agave spirits in the U.S. market
6:05 - Richard Betts Background
11:00 - Founding his first wine brand
15:50 - Sombra Mezcal
19:50 - Partnership with Davos Brands
21:20 - Difference between wine and spirits industries
25:00 - Founding Casa Komos Brands Group
30:11 - Route to market for CKBG brands
32:07 - Tequila Komos partnership with E&J Gallo
33:35 - Betts' values as a leader:
37:12 - Health and wellness for entrepreneurs:
39:30 -Tips for aspiring entrepreneurs:
Key Quote:
"We make things that we love and that we think have a chance of being loved by others. So we live at the intersection of enthusiasm and opportunity. And I think when you show up with that sincerity you'll also show up with a willingness to work hard."
In this episode you'll hear from:
Richard Betts, CEO, and Founder, Casa Komos Brands Group
Mentioned in this episode:
Casa Komos Brands Group
Tequila Komos
Davos Brands: What It Takes— Davos Brands Co-Founders Andrew Chrisomalis and Guillaume Cuvelier
Learn More About Park Street
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter.
Follow us for more industry insights on
On this episode of the Park Street Insider Podcast, we're taking a dive into a trending category that’s been picking up steam over the last few years and now sits on the edge of mainstream consumer adoption. We’re talking of course about Low and No alcohol.
What was once a fringe category adopted by abstainers is slowly being incorporated into the weekly practices of alcoholic drinkers as well who are more concerned with what goes into their products and how they’re imbibing. We’re seeing both young adults who are generally less inclined to drink than previous generations and middle-aged adults becoming more concerned with their health, all age brackets seem to be jumping aboard the low and no movement.
At Bar Convent Berlin, Park Street University's Emmett Strack sat down with some of the global leaders in the Low and No to break down the status quo of the category. Joined by Mark Livings of Lyre's Spirit Co., Ellie Webb of Caleño Drinks, and Morten Sørensen of ISH Spirits, the discussion will cover where the category is at now in terms of consumer adoption, how to educate consumers about the category and what's next for Low & No in the coming years.
Episode Breakdown:
Founder backgrounds - 8:00
Defining what Low & No alcohol is - 17:45
Consumer adoption of Low & No - 21:41
The next milestone of acceptance for Low & No - 27:10
The accessibility of Low & No products - 31:12
How to educate consumers about the category - 34:57
What's performing well and what's up next in Non-Alc? - 39:40
Key Quote:"Our bet was the right one: people wanted to drink the flavors that they knew and loved. We now know, after years of research, that the people coming into our category and enjoying the products from the category also consume alcohol. The early adopters were the abstaining parts of the population but people moderating is where this is going to inflect from early adoption into the mainstream."
-Mark Livings
In this episode you'll hear from:
Mark Livings, Founder & CEO, Lyre's Spirit Co.
Ellie Webb, Founder, Caleño Drinks
Morten Sørensen, Founder, ISH Spirits
Mentioned in this episode:
Lyre's Spirit Co.
Caleño Drinks
ISH Spirits
This episode was recorded live at Bar Convent Berlin in October of 2022 as part of the Park Street Insider Podcast's "What's Trending" series.
Learn More About Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter here.
Follow us for more industry insights on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNews
Instagram
Any beverage alcohol brand owner developing a model for long-term growth is likely looking for more insight into the world of mergers and acquisitions. In this episode, Jeff Menashe, CEO of Demeter Advisory Group, takes you through the mindset of prospective buyers when sizing up acquisitions.
Menashe explains why the traditional business model beverage alcohol brands have used to position themselves as an attractive investment may no longer apply in the current market. Instead, he makes the case for his own 2.0 model and gives a sense of how today’s brands can get investors like him at the table.
Menashe shares his insights on the trajectory that brands will need to follow in order to secure investment or acquisition, and outlines the best strategies for brands to scale their growth long-term. You’ll also hear about how shifting distribution models in the current market can help brands achieve a positive cash flow in less time than it might have historically taken them.
Listeners will hear about the attributes necessary to position their brand as an appealing investment, how to generate brand awareness, and learn more about the value of building a community with your target consumers through engagement.
Episode Breakdown:
Menashe's criteria for attractive investments - 2:07
Building brand awareness in the on-premise - 3:55
Menashe's model 2.0 for attracting investors - 4:50
Path to profitability for brands - 7:00
Key Quote:
"What you're ultimately doing is building a community. If you're asking "what is somebody looking for in a brand?" the way you find those characteristics would be by having built a community."
In this episode you'll hear from:
Jeff Menashe, Founder & CEO, Demeter Advisory Group
Mentioned in this episode:
Demeter Advisory Group: https://www.demeteradvisorygroup.com/
Learn More About Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter here.
Follow us for more industry insights on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkstreetcompanies/?hl=en
Alfonso Morodo, the founder of Gin Mare and CEO at Vantguard, was quick to find success when he brought the brand to market in 2010. A well-differentiated product and an engaged founder team meant that Gin Mare had the foundations to make the brand a profitable venture but Morodo's team had another thing on their side: timing. In a period where gin was starting to blow up across Europe, Morodo saw an opportunity to leverage the buzz within the gin category by bringing a unique, super-premium product into the market.
On this episode of the Park Street Insider Podcast, Andres Correa sits down with Alfonso Morodo at Bar Convent Berlin to break down the path that led to Gin Mare's recent sale to Brown Forman. As the CEO of Vantguard, a spirits portfolio with brand distribution in over 60 countries, Morodo brings his vast experience developing brands to the show. In their conversation, Morodo explains how much of the early success of Gin Mare had to do with the timing of bringing a unique product into a category that was on a natural upswing.
Morodo will get into the process of getting the brand off the ground. He shares why breaking into the U.S. market was a major milestone for Gin Mare and outlines what he learned about entering the U.S. in general. He even gets into how the brand's strategy to succeed in the California market developed over time.
Episode Breakdown:
Alfonso's background - 3:15
Formation of the Vantguard portfolio - 5:50
Gin Mare's current presence - 6:32
Breaking into the U.S. market - 9:05
Identifying a target demographic - 11:02
Gin Mare's biggest milestones - 20:00
24:08 - Gin Mare's Acquisition by Brown Forman
Key Quote:
"You can only get to success with a lot of work and by being very close to the market to get those things at the right time. Listening to bartenders, listening to consumers, and understanding how the brand adapts to different markets is the key."
In this episode you'll hear from:
Alfonso Morodo, CEO and Founder, Vantguard
Mentioned in this episode:
Gin Mare: https://www.ginmare.com/
Vantguard: https://www.vantguard.com/
Learn More About Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter here.
Follow us for more industry insights on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkstreetcompanies/?hl=en
Club membership programs were once a boutique service for luxury products, but the rise of direct-to-consumer models now has many brands opting to implement club membership programs as a new way of engaging consumers.
Enter, Theresa Dorr, a strategic relationship & business development leader known as "the Queen of Clubs" for her extensive experience setting up club membership programs across multiple industries. Through her work with Vinoshipper and Activ8, Dorr successfully leveraged membership programs to drive brand growth in both tech and beverage alcohol. Now, Dorr joins the Park Street Insider Podcast to make the case for spirits brands to get started in this arena.
In this episode, Dorr will offer a roadmap for implementing a direct-to-consumer shipping program. She explains how the pandemic served as a foil to underscore the value of club membership programs, giving smaller brands a viable revenue stream. But beyond providing just monetary utility, listeners will also learn about how club membership programs can create additional value for brands by helping indoctrinate consumers into their culture.
Dorr will also cover the legal landscape of complying with cross-state shipping regulations. She'll also share her best practices for keeping consumers engaged and the best pricing models to use.
Episode Breakdown:
Dorr's background - 4:16
How the pandemic changed the DTC landscape - 7:44
What are club programs? - 9:13
Strategies for setting up club memberships - 13:48
Considerations for cross-state shipping - 16:03
The value of membership programs - 20:30
Best options for pricing models - 30:53
How to market club memberships to consumers - 35:52
Key Quote:"I want the consumer to ask questions and engage with us. You get invested in us because you learn about the spirits makers and we get invested in you because we love the data and feedback. The club is really in part to engage on an ongoing basis: letting people learn about you and come to care about you."
In this episode you'll hear from:
Theresa Dorr
Strategic Relationships & Business Development. Customer Experience (CX), Process Mgmt & Speaker
Mentioned in this episode:
This episode was recorded live at the ACSA Convention in July of 2022 as part of the Park Street Insider Podcast's "What's Trending" series.
Learn More About Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter here.
Follow us for more industry insights on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNews
Instagram
Impact investing is an investment strategy that is built on the intention to generate positive social or environmental impact through business investments. On this episode of the Park Street Insider podcast, Andrew Merinoff, the founder of DisPact Ventures and Chinola Passion Fruit Liqueur, sits down with Emily Pennington to discuss the intersection of impact investing and brand development.
He'll take listeners through his investment strategy and help them understand the decision-making process behind how he allocates funds. He also covers the values his company operates under and the types of change he hopes to inspire in the wider bev-alc market.
Merinoff will also get specific about the models brands should adopt to succeed in the long term. He offers his perspective on the importance of building the right team, what he wants to hear from brands when sizing up a potential investment and how brand owners should approach an exit strategy.
Listeners will also hear how his experience in the impact investment sector helped inform the brand development strategies he adopted when founding Chinola. He'll dive into his motivations for starting the brand, how his team brought the brand to market, and the models he thinks brands.
Episode Breakdown:
Merinoff's background - 3:36
Merinoff's principles of team building - 11:05
Investment strategy at DisPact Ventures - 13:55
Merinoff on industry disruption - 23:09
Brand exit strategy - 34:24
The founding of Chinola - 36:50
Route to market strategy - 41:51
Key Quote:"I think there are certain brands that need to chase top-line revenue, but most brands don't need to do that. They need to find their path for organic growth because companies will not buy you if there is no route to eventual profitability. If you can't leave a piece for acquisition that allows them immediate growth, you're going to fall short of that target."
In this episode you'll hear from:
Andrew Merinoff, Founder, DisPact Ventures and Chinola Passion Fruit Liqueur
Mentioned in this episode:
- DisPact Ventures: https://www.dispactventures.com/
- Chinola Passion Fruit Liqueur: https://chinola.com/
This episode was recorded in September of 2022 as part of the Park Street Insider Podcast's "What's Trending" series.
Learn More About Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter here.
Follow us for more industry insights on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNews
Instagram
With as much as 50% of retail sales—both on and off-premise—influenced by the experience consumers have online, e-commerce marketing serves as a viable brand-building opportunity. In the latest edition of Park Street University's Essential Talks series, Andrea Sengara, Head of Marketing at Campari America, shares her best tips for brands to harness the power of e-commerce.
Sengara delivers a comprehensive overview of the key pillars to building out a robust e-commerce marketing strategy. She shares her insights on choosing a digital platform that works best for your company, the best ways to improve your digital performance and how to drive online conversions. She also covers strategies for creating a compelling digital shelf that will drive engagement. Sengara encourages brands to avoid dead ends in their digital ecosystem by making it as easy as possible for consumers to make purchases online.
Key Quote:"Recognize that e-commerce platforms and partners, yes they're a sales channel, but they're also a brand-building channel that critically influence purchase in that moment as well as outside that in the offline world as well."
Sengara's talk was recorded at Bar Convent Brooklyn in August of 2021.
In this episode you'll hear from:
Andrea Sengara, Head of Marketing at Campari America
Mentioned in this episode:
- Campari Group: https://www.camparigroup.com/en
- Instacart: https://www.instacart.com/
Watch the full video on Park Street University's Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=282RW25qEY8&t=11s
Learn More About Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter here.
Follow us for more industry insights on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkstreetcompanies:
On the latest episode of the Park Street Insider Podcast, Andres Correa sits down with Dave Smith, Head Distiller at St. George Spirits to break down his distillery's whiskey-making approach.
Recorded just before the TTB issued its official definition of American Single Malt Whiskey, this episode traces the history of this category from the perspective of one of its earliest adopters: St. George Spirits. Smith offers his interpretation of what American Single malt should be and how St. George approaches this still developing segment. He'll also get into where he sees the American single malt category heading in the coming years.
Smith will get technical about the production methods his brand uses to create its products, their approach to responsible ingredient sourcing, and his insider tips for a great tasting.
Our conversation with Dave Smith was recorded live at this year's ACSA Convention in New Orleans.
In this episode you'll hear from:
Dave Smith, Head Distiller at St. George Spirits
Learn More About Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter here.
Follow us for more industry insights on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkstreetcompanies/
new ca
In this episode of the Park Street Insider Podcast, Heather Boyd, Managing Director of U.S. RTD at Beam Suntory, overviews the paradigm shifts that the ready-to-drink space is causing in the beverage alcohol industry.
Boyd breaks down the major players and innovations driving the RTD segment, the guiding forces behind the trends in the category, and how emerging brands can navigate this new regulatory environment. She shares Beam Suntory's RTD innovation strategy from a legal compliance perspective, something she considers key in a category where regulatory lines are often blurred.
Boyd's talk was recorded at Bar Convent Berlin in June of 2022.
In this episode you'll hear from:
Heather Boyd, Managing Director of US RTD at Beam Suntory
Mentioned in this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVzGdSBZXcU&t=60s
Learn More About Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter here.
Follow us for more industry insights on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkstreetcompanies/
In recent years, we’ve seen an increased focus on diversity conversations in the wider beverage alcohol industry, but have these calls for equality moved the needle from a sales and funding perspective?
In this episode, a group of esteemed industry members tackle the impact of diversity in drinks, and how to continue to effectively market and share the stories of diverse founders. They cover the line between authentic marketing and cultural appropriation, creating transparency around where work cultures need to improve and what work needs to be done to create a more inclusive industry.
In this episode you'll hear from:
- Lia Jones - Executive Director, Diversity In Food and Beverage
- Tuan Lee - CEO + Co-Founder VERVET
- Kamuti Kiteme - Managing Director - Inclusive Investment Programs, Distill Ventures
- Jomaree Pinkard - Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder of Hella Cocktail Co.
Mentioned in This Episode:
The Diversity Wheel: https://community.astc.org/ccli/resources-for-action/group-activities/diversity-wheel
Learn More About Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/
Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter here.
Follow us for more industry insights on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkstreetcompanies/
On the latest episode of the Park Street Insider Podcast, Emily Pennington sits down with Kat Hantas, Co-Founder of 21 Seeds Tequila, to discuss the brands meteoric rise and recent sale to Diageo. The two will dive into how Hantas used her personal experience to craft a brand that appealed to a previously overlooked consumer base. Listeners can expect to learn about 21 Seeds route to market strategy, how they utilized digital marketing to connect with their consumers and why their brand identity made them an attractive acquisition for Diageo.
Guests Include:
Kat Hantas, Co-Founder & 21 Seeds
Learn More About Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/
Sign up for our daily industry newsletter here.
Follow us for more industry insights on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkstreetcompanies/
As an ingredient supplier for co-packers across the U.S. in the early 2000s, Mark Anderson noticed the rise in consumer demand for organic ingredients. So when Anderson Co-founded Drake's Organic Spirits in 2017, he decided to make health and wellness the foundation of his business.
On the latest episode of the Park Street Insider Podcast, Andres Correa is joined by Mark Anderson to discuss how the sustainable ethos of his brand filters into all aspects of the Drake's Organic model. From production to packaging, they'll get into the methods his business uses to operate sustainably. The two discuss the history that led to his brand becoming one of the leaders in sustainable spirits production and what the industry at large can do to get in step with this trend.
Learn More About Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/
Sign up for our daily industry newsletter here.
Follow us for more industry insights on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkstreetcompanies/
On the latest episode of the Park Street Insider Podcast, Emily Pennington is joined by Robert Furniss Roe and Juan Rovira, founders of Samson & Surrey. The two sit down to discuss their backgrounds in the industry, the formation of Samson & Surrey and their recent sale to Heaven Hill. They’ll explain the strategy for developing the brands in their portfolio and how Samson & Surrey’s core principles translate to a compatible partnership with the Heaven Hill team.
Learn More About Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/
Sign up for our daily industry newsletter here.
Follow us for more industry insights on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkstreetcompanies/
On this special episode of the Park Street Insider Podcast, co-host Emily Pennington is joined by Paul Gabie, founder and CEO of ecoSPIRITS, to discuss an expansion into the U.S. market via a partnership with Park Street. Gabie shares the motivation for launching ecoSPIRITS in 2018, the issues it addresses within the alcohol industry, and why now is the right time to enter the U.S. market.
Learn more about Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/
Sign up for our daily industry newsletter here.
Follow us for more industry insights on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkstreetcompanies/
The RTD category may have seen an explosion in the last few years, but Charles Joly and Matt Lindner of Crafthouse Cocktails have helped refine the canned cocktail experience for the better part of the last decade.
On the latest episode of the Park Street Insider Podcast, the two industry veterans sit down with Andres Correa to discuss the principles their brand was founded on and their growth over the recent years.
They touch on how their on-premise background and marketing initiatives translated to developing some of the most popular premium RTDs on the market. The co-founders also break down how they navigated through the Covid-19 pandemic and their recent partnership with Dolphin Entertainment.
Guests include:
Charles Joly, Co-Founder & Crafthouse Cocktails
Matt Lindner, Co-Founder & Crafthouse Cocktails
Learn more about Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/
Sign up for our daily industry newsletter here.
Follow us on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkstreetcompanies/
M&A expectations for the 2021 calendar year were upended when the pandemic continued for a second year. But while aspects like production volume and supply chain logistics were severely hampered, M&A activity remained steady.
On the latest episode of the Park Street Insider Podcast, Emily Pennington sits down with some of the most engaged leaders in the industry to discuss the dynamics within the M&A landscape. Recorded for Bar Convent Berlin, this panel will break down the models that prospective buyers are using to evaluate acquisitions and cover the trends influencing this activity.
Panelists include:
- Britt West, VP and General Manager of Spirits, E&J Gallo
- Dan Gasper, Independent Drinks Coach
- Nick Papanicolaou, VP M&A, Business Development & Internal Audit, Pernod Ricard USA
Learn more about Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/
Sign up for our daily industry newsletter here.
Follow us for more industry insights on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkstreetcompanies/
As the market fills with new RTDs, hard seltzers, and lo & no beverage options, the lines between the traditional categories of beer, wine, and spirits are blurring. In this panel hosted by Park Street's Andres Correa, industry insiders take a look at the trends that brought us to this point, how the business is adjusting, and what the future holds as categories continue to converge.
Guests include:
Dale Stratton, Data Analyst, SipSource
Josh Jacobs, Co-Founder & CEO,Speakeasy Co.
Andrew Brimer, Founder of Paradaze VenturesLearn more about Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/
Sign up for our daily industry newsletter here.
Follow us on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkstreetcompanies/
Jared Poe is a wine and spirits executive with extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions. He played a vital role in building Veev Spirits and Stillhouse Whiskey before each was acquired, and is now the general manager for Sweetens Cove, an ultra-premium Tennessee whiskey founded by a group of friends that includes sports legends Andy Roddick and Peyton Manning.
In this interview we talk about the different forms of investment, what’s attractive to strategic buyers in 2021, and understanding the symbiotic relationship between a startup and its strategic partner once a deal is made.
Learn more about Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/
Sign up for our daily industry newsletter here.
Follow us on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkstreetcompanies/
On the Rocks is a premium ready-to-drink brand that sold to Beam Suntory after just 5 years on the market. In this episode, we talk to the brand's co-founder Patrick Halbert on the challenges and opportunities he faced building the brand with a focus on what he got right in the beginning.
Learn more about Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/
Sign up for our daily industry newsletter here.
Follow us on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkstreetcompanies/
A new report out from Rabobank indicates:
- Older consumers are drinking more
- Underage drinking has declined dramatically
- People of color are making up a larger portion of drinking population
- Women are drinking more than ever
To parse these trends and what they mean, we spoke to Bourcard Nesin, a Rabobank beverage analyst and the author of the report. He explains the motivations behind conducting the research for nearly a year, what surprised him the most, and what brand owners can take away from it.
Read the report here: https://research.rabobank.com/far/en/sectors/beverages/the-american-alcohol-consumer-is-changing.html
Learn more about Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/
Sign up for our daily industry newsletter here.
Follow us on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkstreetcompanies/
Davos Brands founders Andrew Chrisomalis and Guillaume Cuvelier discuss their path through the alcoholic industry and how they ended up creating their strong portfolio of premium brands. Led by Aviation Gin, they discuss the success, selection process, and creation of their portfolio and what attracted Diageo to ultimately purchase their company for $610 Million.
Learn more about Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/
Sign up for our daily industry newsletter here.
Follow us on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkstreetcompanies/
On November 10, the European Union imposed $4 billion worth of additional tariffs on US goods, including vodka, brandy, rum, and vermouth. In this episode, Rob Maron, Vice President of International Trade at the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, goes in depth on why the EU may have chosen these products, how tariffs are impacting the US alcohol industry at large, as well as what trade associations around the world are doing to fight them.
Learn more about Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/
Sign up for our daily industry newsletter here.
Follow us on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkstreetcompanies/
In this episode, the founder of new spirits company Lobos 1707 shares what drove him to start a premium agave spirits line with basketball superstar Lebron James and former president of Combs Enterprises, CEO Dia Simms. Founder Diego Osorio, a Spanish actor and entrepreneur, discusses how the three came together to begin the project and the innovative production style that they developed in the process.
Learn more about Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/
Sign up for our daily industry newsletter here.
Follow us on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkstreetcompanies/
Amanda Victoria is an award-winning leader in wine, cocktail, and spirits communication, education and product development. She earned her stripes as a spokesperson for the likes of St-Germain, Lillet, and the Scotch Malt Whisky Society before going on to launch her own businesses. She is currently the Director of Judging for the L.A. Spirits Awards, the Founder of communications company Aperitif Hour, and this year, in the middle of a pandemic, she launched Siponey, a premium canned cocktail that has already made several Best Of lists.
In this episode, she shares the story of her transition from brand ambassador to brand owner, and how she was able to get traction with a new product during a pandemic.
Learn more about Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/
Sign up for our daily industry newsletter here.
Follow us on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkstreetcompanies/
In light of the social justice movement occurring in the U.S. in 2020, brands around the world are evaluating their position on the matter. For those who have decided to take an active role in supporting the movement’s goal of social equality and looking for ways to take part, this conversation is for you. Fawn Weaver, the CEO of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, who has taken a lead role in this movement for the spirits industry, sits down with Park Street Content Manager Emily Pennington to discuss what brands of all sizes can do to contribute.
Learn more about Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/
Sign up for our daily industry newsletter here.
Follow us on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkstreetcompanies/
In 2020, the typical strategies for brand building have gone out the window. In this episode, Peter Pace, the CMO of Paradise Brands, which owns Blue Nectar Tequila and Monkey in Paradise Vodka, details how the company was able to keep its products top of mind this year by finding innovative ways to give back to its communities.
Learn more about Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/
Sign up for our daily industry newsletter here.
Follow us on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkstreetcompanies/
Brian Treacy went from leading backcountry camping trips in the Southwest to president of Sagamore Spirit in Maryland, which is partially funded by Under Armour founder Kevin Plank. In this episode, Brian talks about his relationship with Kevin and the offer “he couldn’t refuse” that lead to his foray into the spirits business. Brian tells the story of building Sagamore and how the team learned the importance of flexibility early on when the original site for Sagamore turned out to only have four parking spots. Once the product launched in 2016, Sagamore Spirit spread to 35 states in short order and has become a tourist hub in Baltimore.
Learn more about Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/
Sign up for our daily industry newsletter here.
Follow us:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkstreetcompanies
Conecuh Brands CEO Roy Danis has held a number of high-profile positions in the wine and spirits industry. Before joining Conecuh, he held executive roles at Gruppo Campari, Jose Cuervo International, Aveniu Brands and W.J. Deutsch & Sons. His track record of new product successes is long and includes Yellow Tail wine, Jose Cuervo Silver, and Clyde May’s Bourbon.
In this episode, he discusses what drove him on the journey from sales rep to CEO. Roy also dives into his latest projects at Conecuh Brands including the legacy behind Clyde May's Whiskey and how Rita Ora got involved with Próspero Tequila.
Learn more about Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/
Sign up for our daily industry newsletter here.
Follow us:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkstreetcompanies
Margie A.S. Lehrman is the CEO of the American Craft Spirits Association and an accomplished attorney. She joined the trade organization in 2016 and was a major player in getting the American Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act passed. In this episode, we spoke to Margie about modernizing state spirit laws to address the economic impact of the pandemic, the evolution of the craft spirits category, as well as the structure and growth of ACSA under her guidance.
Learn more about Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/
Sign up for our daily industry newsletter here.
Follow us:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkstreetcompanies
The beverage alcohol category is bursting with fascinating personalities and stories to tell from people who have risked everything to build a brand. The Park Street Insider Podcast was created to allow us to share these stories and learn from some of the industry's most successful thought leaders.
Learn more about Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/
Sign up for our daily industry newsletter here.
Follow us:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkstreetcompanies/
In some ways, COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdown of the U.S. market altered consumer buying behaviors for the beverage alcohol category, but for some trends it merely exacerbated existing buying behaviors. In this episode, we catch up with Danny Brager, Nielsen's Senior Vice President for the Beverage Alcohol Practice, who is able to provide some context to the data during the pandemic period.
Learn more about Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/
Sign up for our daily industry newsletter here.
Follow us:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkstreetcompanies/
In this episode of the Park Street Insider Podcast, Elwyn Gladstone, the founder of Biggar & Leith, discusses his journey through the industry including his time at William Grant & Sons and Proximo Spirits. He touches on the lessons he learned along the way and what he took with him as he started his own company.
Learn more about Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/
Sign up for our daily industry newsletter here.
Follow us:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkstreetcompanies/