Liquid Assets: A Beverage Industry Podcast
Rabobank's global beverage team offers insights, analysis, and a bit of entertainment for your morning commute. Liquid Assets will help you tackle the latest trends, introduce you to industry leaders, and prepare you for what's next in the beverage world.
Episodes
Will beer distributors become the only kind of distributor?
In what is easily one of the most candid conversations we've had in years, Joe Davis and Michael Corrigan from KEG 1 and K1 Management Services discuss the impact of Sazerac's move into beer networks, the future of contract negotiations and margins for wine and spirit brands, the risks of a bloated portfolio to the beer wholesaler playbook, and the very difficult path ahead for mature, small, and
How KEG 1 and K1MS are building a national beer distributor
In the first of two episodes featuring Joe Davis and Michael Corrigan, we discuss the history of KEG 1 and the formation of K1 Management Services and the work they have done to become a massive multistate operator. We focus heavily on the dynamics of M&A in US beer wholesale and the role consolidation is having on culture, diversification, and management. Have a question, qualm, or story to tel
Southern Glazer's on the latest moves into beer and competition in wine and spirits
We catch up with Mark Chaplin (Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits President, Commercial Sales) and Devyn Dugger (Senior Vice President, NY Beer Division) to discuss their recent beer-business-buying binge, focusing on the changes that they are bringing to the beer business and how they are bringing best practices from the beer business into their broader wine and spirits operations. Have a question,
Liquid Assets: My favorite things
New drinks aplenty and trends always changing. Exploring culture, with the drinks we are raising. Asking a stranger, "Why did you order that thing?" These are a few of my favorite [drink] things. Friends at a conference with gossip worth sharing. Newsletters, dailies, and podcasts worth airing. Together let's ask what all of these numbers mean. These are a few of my favorite [drink] things. For th
RNDC, Brown-Forman for sale, and Uncle Nearest crashes out: the most important stories of 2026 (so far)
Sarah Barrett, Managing Editor at Wine & Spirits Daily, and Chris Shepard, Senior Editor at Beer Marketer's Insights, join us to debate the most impactful stories of the year so far. Have a question, qualm, or story to tell? Reach out via email: Bourcard.Nesin@Rabobank.com Sign up to access our written research: RaboResearch sign-up Note: The content and opinions presented within this podcast
Beer boys solve a big mystery: Why is the on-premise so resilient?
For more than a year, alcohol sales in the on-premise (restaurants, bars, stadiums, and hotels) have outperformed sales in the off-premise (grocery, convenience, and liquor stores). On the surface, this trend contradicts many of our explanations for the industry's struggles. If people are broke, why are they spending money in the channel where alcohol costs the most? If people are spending more ti
How do control states work?
Around 25% of US spirits sales move through control states, but how do they work? How are they different from open states, and what can suppliers do to improve their performance in these markets? In this episode we speak to leadership at the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA) about how government-run liquor businesses operate and what brands can do to better position themselves
The economic outlook amid an energy crisis three times larger than the shock from Russia's invasion of Ukraine
US inflation in April reached its highest level in three years, driven in part by the war in Iran. The volume of oil flows affected by the conflict is three times larger than the disruption caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, yet many firms – especially in the US – don't seem too concerned. According to our analysts, they should be. Join us for an enlightening, if not light-hearted, discuss
Is beer back? Maybe
This week, we review the pleasantly robust results from global beer companies during the first quarter of 2026. More importantly, we bid adieu to a dear friend and longtime contributor, Francois Sonneville. For those wanting to thank Francois for years of fantastic industry coverage, please reach out: FSonneville@yahoo.co.uk. We discuss individual company results at the following timestamps: He
Will the US wine industry ever recover from the current glut?
Wine supplies continue to outstrip demand. Glenn Proctor of Ciatti and Jeff Bitter of Allied Grape Growers return to discuss the larger-than-(some)-expected 2025 California grape crush, the path to equilibrium in wine supply, and whether the costs of domestic production and competition from imports mean that every acre of wine grapes pulled out of production will never come back. Topics covered i
Breaking down the potential Pernod Ricard, Brown-Forman merger of equals
In late March, Brown-Forman Corporation and Pernod Ricard confirmed they were in talks about a potential merger that would bring together giant brands like Jack Daniels, Herradura, Woodford Reserve, Jameson, Beefeater, Absolut, and Chivas Regal. It would be a formidable lineup, which in terms of spirits sales would rival the scale of Diageo – long the largest spirits business in the history of the
The new world for venture capital
Many investors have abandoned the world of early-stage alcohol startups, leaving a gaping hole in the market. There is less money available to fuel startup growth, and potential buyers are demanding both scale and profitability, extending the time to achieve an exit and reshaping the optimal strategy for building a brand. Over the last five years, Jason Sherman (Top Shelf) and Nick Papanicolaou (N
Heaven Hill on how to thrive in a downturn
From 1970 to 1995, US per capita spirits consumption fell by nearly 50%. Yet some players, like Heaven Hill, emerged stronger and more diversified than when the downturn began. In this episode, Heaven Hill Chairman Max Shapira and President Kate Latts reflect on the company's 90‑year journey, offering first-person accounts of beverage alcohol's last major downturn, the subsequent revival in demand
Are there any bright spots in wine and spirits? featuring Danny Brager and Dale Stratton
Fresh from their rather somber state-of-the-industry presentation, SipSource analysts Danny Brager and Dale Stratton help identify whether there are any areas of growth and promise in the wine and spirits business. Topics include: The performance of wine and spirits depletions in 2025 and the outlook for 2026. The surprising resilience of RTD growth rates. Prosecco's continuing strong performanc
How to become the biggest wine brand in the Midwest… or at least Indiana
Oliver Winery is one of the largest wine businesses in the United States. It is located in Indiana. In this episode, CEO Pat Brown shares how the unusual origins of the business have helped the company capture consumers who would otherwise be overlooked by the wine business, as well as the advantages of operating a winery outside the West Coast. Have a question, qualm or story to tell, reach ou
Breakthru's Danny Wirtz on suppliers' shift to a "best athlete" strategy
Danny Wirtz, Co-Chairman of Breakthru Beverage Group, discusses how brands are rethinking national agreements and what success looks like when performance, not footprint, are the primary concern for suppliers' route-to-market strategy. Themes from the episode: How did Breakthru shift strategy after a planned merger with Republic National Distributing Company was terminated in 2019? What does geog
US wine and spirits wholesalers are all in on hemp and other updates from WSWA
We caught up with Francis Creighton, President and CEO of Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, on the floor at this year's Access Live conference in Las Vegas. In addition to helping its members navigate a very difficult business environment, the lobbying group representing US wine and spirits wholesalers in the US has a full advocacy agenda. Francis quickly brings us up to date on its legislati
What's next for US beer distribution? featuring Harry Schuhmacher and Jenn Litz-Kirk
The team from Beer Business Daily and Beernet Radio offer candid coverage of the tumult and upheaval in the US beer wholesaler business. In this episode, we touch on the following topics: How are big brands (AB InBev, Molson Coors, Constellation Brands) applying pressure differently to their wholesaler networks? What is the outlook for hemp beverages (né marijuana edibles)? Will they be legal i
The 2026 economic outlook
Economics power duo Jane Foley and Christian Lawrence return to discuss the first 12 months of the Trump administration and the 2026 outlook for economies in the US and Europe. As always, the conversation is far-reaching, touching on: The AI boom and its impact on business operations and economic growth. Inflation and the legacy of higher food, housing, and healthcare prices. Interest rates, cur
New dietary guidelines, endless CEO turnover, wholesale upheaval, and the growing threat of GLP-1 usage
In this episode, we're joined by analyst Francois Sonneville and relationship manager Jonathan Magel to discuss the biggest news stories from the past 30 days, including: The US issues new dietary guidelines for alcohol consumption. Will it impact consumption or regulatory pressure? The CEO of Heineken will be stepping down later this year. Virtually every major alcohol business has seen executiv
The biggest beverage stories of the last decade
The end of 2025 marks the end of an era. Our dear friend and cohost Jim Watson returns for one last episode. We celebrate 10 years of ingenious, unparalleled drinks industry coverage with a very special episode, discussing the biggest story from each year of the past decade. And if you've appreciated Jim's work over 125+ episodes of this show, you should thank him directly at: JCWatson334@gmail.co
Public spirits companies hope the worst is over
Special guest Richard Withagen (Equity Analyst at Kepler Cheuvreux) joins us as we review the latest earnings results from the spirits industry (Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Brown-Forman, Campari, Rémy Cointreau, and Becle). Alongside individual company results, we discuss the broader impact of regulation on spirits sales, how long a transitory/cyclical downturn can be before it is considered structural
The five things that will make or break the craft spirits industry
Craft spirits companies have seen an abrupt shift in fortune. Loaded with debt, rising cost of goods sold, and declining demand, many are struggling to survive. With help from our expert panel, we explore the greatest challenges craft distillers are facing and some of the financial and strategic decisions that could prove the difference between closure and living to sell another year. Guests on to
Outgunned and outspent: How independent RTD brands are gaining a foothold in the US
The odds are stacked against them. They have less money, less influence with distributors, and fewer R&D resources to alchemize the perfect drink, yet smaller RTD brands are going toe-to-toe and often winning the race to capture the fastest-growing space in the beverage alcohol business. In this episode, Evan Burns, CEO at The Finnish Long Drink, and Clement Pappas, cofounder and CEO of Stateside
Global beer results prove why diversification is so important
We look back at the results from the first half of 2025 and check in on the performances of the world's largest global beer companies (Heineken, Carlsberg, AB InBev, Molson Coors, Constellation Brands, and Royal Unibrew). We also look at three major themes affecting the beer business in 2025: the dramatic impact of harsh immigration policies on American Latinos, the struggles of European brewers
Southern Glazer's on competition from beer distributors, national contracts, and pricing strategy
Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits is the largest alcohol wholesaler in the United States. We caught up with Mark Chaplin, John Wittig, and David Chaplin, three of Sourthern's senior executives, to discuss the toughest issues facing alcohol distribution in 2025 and increasing pressure to become a total beverage distributor. Note: This episode was recorded only a few days prior to Southern's acquisi
How are importers managing tariffs and declining demand?
With tariffs, falling demand, and an unfavorable exchange rate, it can feel as though the cosmos are conspiring to make life hard for US importers. However, many import brands and bulk products remain very competitive in the US market. In this episode, we discuss how importers are adjusting to survive and if not thrive in the current operating environment. This is episode two from our discussion w
How to import wine and spirits into the US
Winning in the US market is the holy grail for many brands around the world, but how do you get started? What type of importer should you use, what should you expect from them, and what should you be prepared to bring to the table? What gets an importer excited to support your brand? In this episode we speak with Ryan O'Hara, CEO of MHW, and Serena Campbell, Operations Director for USA Wine West,
Everything you need to know about hemp
It seems unthinkable that a simple legal loophole for hemp would lead to the de facto legalization of marijuana edibles in the United States, but here we are. Intoxicating hemp products are everywhere, and everyone seems to be excited about them. But the story of hemp-derived THC's rise and the greatest threat to its future are inexorably linked to its legal status. In this episode, we speak to tw
Inside the boardroom: What a company board really does and how to do it better
Caroline Levy and Carol Reber know a lot about being on a board. Between them, they sit on the board of six different companies that include Celsius Holdings, Far Niente Wine Estates, Health-Ade, Arterra Wines Canada, Rack & Riddle, and Athletic Brewing Company. On today's episode, Carol and Caroline share their journeys and bring us up to speed on what a company board of directors actually does,
Every diversification strategy, ranked
In this episode, we discuss all the ways a beverage firm can diversify its business and the consequences when things go wrong. Whether it is geographical expansion, vertical integration, moving into adjacent categories, or route to market, we debate the merits, downsides, and myriad real-world examples of seven different diversification strategies and runway for each strategy to be successful goi
How to save money on ingredients (and still taste good), featuring Kerry Group
What happens when you move a production plant from Europe to the United States or switch from Florida oranges to Brazilian oranges? Does your product still taste the same? Has technology made it possible to replace 50% of the sugar in a beverage with zero-calorie sweetener and avoid a nasty aftertaste? John Kelly and Paul Villis from Kerry Group join us to talk through how beverage brands are chan
What's wrong with the alcohol industry? Featuring the Business of Drinks podcast
It's not a fun time to work in the alcohol business. Demand is down in almost every segment and in almost every geography. Costs are rising. And most every category is in some state of oversupply. How on earth did we get here? Erica Duecy and Scott Rosenbaum, hosts of the Business of Drinks podcast, join the RaboResearch team to debate what is driving the recent declines in the alcohol industry
Why are so many young men quitting alcohol?
Young people are drinking less, but virtually all those declines are driven by men. If they do consume alcohol, men drink twice as much as women. In this episode, we speculate on what could be changing in the culture and in the lives of young men that is pushing them away from alcohol. Link to our report on Gen Z drinking habits: Click here. Want to sign up for our written research? Have a
Recession risk, Trump's objectives, and the beginning of a new world order
Economics power duo Jane Foley and Christian Lawrence return to give context to the first 100 days of the Trump administration, its impact on global economics, and the long-term impact of the US' changing relationship with the rest of the world. Have a question, qualm, or story to tell, reach out via email: Bourcard.Nesin@rabobank.com Sign up to access our written research: RaboResearch si
How bad is wine's oversupply problem?
In 2024, wine production far outstripped demand. Glenn Proctor of Ciatti and Jeff Bitter of Allied Grape Growers help us understand the unique challenges of the current crisis and how it is shaping the future of the wine business in the US and beyond. Contact us via email: bourcard.nesin@rabobank.com Sign up for our research via this link: Knowledge.Rabobank.com You can find the Ciatti newslette
Do wine and spirits wholesalers need to be more like beer distributors?
The RaboResearch team discusses the implications of Brown-Forman and Tito's Handmade Vodka moving to a beer distributor in California. Do wine and spirits wholesalers need to change, or will change erode their competitive advantage? Will the beer guys buy wine and spirits distributors, or is the wine and spirits opportunity too limited? For brands, what is the appeal of working with a beer wholesa
Latest spirits industry earnings: Trade wars, falling consumption, and excess inventories
In this episode, we review the latest earnings results from the spirits industry (Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Brown-Forman, Campari, Rémy Cointreau, Becle, and MGP Ingredients). Alongside individual company results, we discuss the impacts of declining sales in the US, the surprising health of the European market, the challenges created by aging inventory and wholesaler inventory, an evolution in pack a
What we learned from the latest round of beer company earnings reports
As the first quarter comes to a close, we look back at the results from the largest global beer companies (Heineken, Carlsberg, AB InBev, Molson Coors, Constellation Brands, Royal Unibrew) and what they tell us about the health of the beer industry in the US, Europe, and the rest of the world. Later in the episode, we breakdown the potential impact of Trump administration tariffs for companies acr
How to monitor and verify retail execution, featuring GoSpotCheck
For distributors, managing and verifying execution and incentive programs is a complicated task. For brands, it can feel impossible. In this episode, we speak to Cory Knopp from GoSpotCheck by FORM to discuss how distributors, brands, and retailers are using their photo-based technology to bring data and transparency to one of the most hard-to-measure and burdensome parts of the business. This is
Using data-driven execution to eliminate out-of-stocks and more, feat. Jenda
Jenda is a US-based tech company that uses retailer website data to offer real-time updates on out-of-stocks, competitive set, and pricing at an outlet level. Jenda's Amanda Wolff and Harry Shulman share how they are helping brands and distributors solve some of the industry's most persistent and frustrating problems. This is the third of four episodes recorded on-site at Access LIVE, the annual c
US wholesalers are looking more European, from point of sale to online selling, featuring Hyble
Craig Letton and his company, Hyble, spent a decade refining the art of creating menus and point-of-sale materials across Europe. As his business expands across the US, Craig shares how Hyble is modernizing the production and design of point-of-sale materials and explains why so many of the strategies and technologies being adopted in the US have been standard practice among European brands and wh
The WSWA agenda: Tariffs, taxes, and dietary guidelines
We caught up with Francis Creighton, President and CEO of WSWA, to get their take on Trump tariffs, how the industry should react to the growing pressure from public health organizations, and a range of other topics including taxes, cannabis, and a fun little anecdote involving Breaking Bad actor, Bryan Cranston. This is the first of four episodes recorded on-site at Access LIVE, the annual confer
How to negotiate a better distribution agreement
Over the last 25 years, distribution contracts in the US have shifted from handshake agreements to carefully negotiated legal documents. What do these contracts contain? As a brand, what is negotiable, what can you leverage to get a better deal, and what aspects of your business should never be compromised? Ed LeMay and Dale Stratton of Azur Associates join us to help answer these questions, shari
The 2025 economic outlook
Economics power duo Jane Foley and Christian Lawrence return to discuss the outlook for economic growth and the potential impact of tariffs and the Trump presidency in 2025. Have a question, qualm, or story to tell? Reach out via email: Bourcard.Nesin@rabobank.com Sign up to access our written research: RaboResearch sign-up Note: The content and opinions presented within this podcast are not
The third annual Quiz of the Year
In a show packed with passion, Kate Bernot and Bryan Roth of Sightlines and hosts of The Gist by Sightlines podcast help us identify the year's most important stories from the world of beer. Things then turn competitive as we go head-to-head in our third annual Quiz of the Year. Will our guests remember how much alcohol a hamster can drink or how many nonalcoholic beer consumers play video games?
Your marketing is boring and too expensive, feat. Liquid Death
They sold skateboards colored with paint containing Tony Hawk's actual blood. They bought a Superbowl ad and hired a witch to attend and influence the outcome of the game. They auctioned off a seven-foot, casket-shaped Yeti cooler that sold for USD 68,000. However you might feel about these stunts, the folks at Liquid Death know how to get attention. On this episode, the company's CFO Karim Sadik-
Is the drop in alcohol sales a permanent problem or a short-term slump?
In this episode, the research team gets to the bottom of the biggest mystery confounding brands, investors, retailers, and distributors in 2024: Is the recent drop in US alcohol sales a short-term blip or the start of a more long-lived, structural decline? Sign up for our research via this link: Knowledge.Rabobank.com. Note: The content and opinions presented within this podcast are not intende
What is driving wholesaler consolidation? Featuring Republic National Distributing Company
Consolidation has transformed the world of wine and spirits distribution in the US. While everyone knows that consolidation happened, far fewer people understand the trends that pushed a few US wholesalers to achieve scale. Dave Lane and Tracy Aldworth, senior leaders from Republic National Distributing Company, discuss the drivers behind the structural changes to the middle tier and how their com
Maker's Mark and Fever-Tree make a cocktail
KK Hall, Global Brand Vice President for Maker's Mark, and Charles Gibb, Fever-Tree's North America CEO, joined forces to create a blood orange ginger beer formulated especially to pair with Maker's Mark. So far, it seems like the project has exceeded expectations, bringing bourbon into new consumption occasions that appeal to broader audiences and helping both brands grab the attention of retaile
How to outgrow the market, featuring Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits
Josh Cellars is arguably the most successful wine brand of this generation, and Deutsch did much of that work while the overall industry was struggling. How did they do it? The company's President, Tom Steffanci, and Chief Brand Officer, Dan Kleinman, discuss their unique approach to brand building, distribution, the positioning of the wine category, and the meticulous measurements they use to max
Lightweighting – an elegant path to better margins and lower emissions
Adapted from a live webinar hosted by Rabobank in July, this unique episode brings together experts from The Wine Group, Jackson Family Wines, and Crimson Wine Group, who joined forces to share best practices on lightweighting or "right-weighting" glass packaging. The panel includes: Tony Maan, Vice President of Supplier Development at The Wine Group Colleen Fitzgerald, chenin blanc viognier w
How much do mixers really matter? featuring Fever-Tree
Charles Gibb, CEO of Fever-Tree North America, offers an update on the mixers market, exploring how this fast-growing segment intersects with consumer trends, retailer objectives, and distribution. And, of course, we discuss the strategy that propelled a premium mixer brand into a billion-dollar company. Rabobank clients can sign up for our research via this link: Knowledge.Rabobank.com Note: Th
The big beer distribution draft feat. Harry Schuhmacher and Sarah Barrett
With help from industry icons Harry Schuhmacher and Sarah Barrett, the folks responsible for publications like Beer Business Daily and Wine & Spirits Business Daily, we use a fitting format, a draft, to debate the toughest and the most helpful trends and topics facing beer distributors in 2024. Rabobank clients can sign up for our research via this link: knowledge.rabobank.com Note: The conte
Economic update: Are things getting better or worse?
Rabobank's senior market strategist, Christian Lawrence, returns for his record-setting tenth appearance on the podcast to discuss major economic trends like inflation, labor markets, consumer spending, credit card debt, and the potential impact of elections and geopolitics around the globe. Rabobank clients can sign up for our research via this link: Research.Rabobank.com Note: The content a
Without enough oranges, the juice industry gets squeezed
The global orange juice industry is in crisis. The Florida industry has all but disappeared, and Brazilian groves are plagued by disease, rising costs, and unfavorable growing conditions, leaving global orange juice supplies at their lowest point in decades. Prices are skyrocketing, consumer demand has been falling for years, and operators across the value chain are left wondering what's next. Lis
US wine and spirits sales: How bad is it, really?
SipSource analysts Dale Stratton and Danny Brager are two of the most influential and respected experts in the US wine and spirits industry. In an expansive discussion, Danny and Dale help us dissect the drivers behind falling wine and spirits sales and whether things will get worse before they get better. Note: The content and opinions presented within this podcast are not intended as investm
Brewers resilient despite a wrench in the COGS
In a recent and much anticipated report, Senior Analyst Francois Sonneville modeled the spot market and actual prices paid among public beer companies in North America, Europe, and China. We discuss his findings and his ideas on how brewers can better control production costs and where future cost pressure may come from. Be sure to download Francois' report: Beer COGS dashboard Q4 2023 Clients can
The future of online alcohol marketplaces, featuring Breakthru Beverage Group
At this year's Access LIVE conference in Las Vegas, we sat down with Breakthru Beverage Group's Head of Digital and E-commerce Mike Boswell for an impromptu conversation on alcohol marketplaces. We explore the relevance and value of marketplaces at different levels of the value chain, discussing Drizly on the consumer-facing side and Provi for a business-to-business perspective. For more on this
Neo-prohibitionism, Ozempic, and the end of the tequila boom?
Is neo-prohibitionism a threat to the alcohol business? Will GLP-1 agonists decrease alcohol sales? Are soft drinks companies losing interest in their effort to develop alcohol brands? To debate these and other controversial topics, the RaboResearch Beverage team plays one of our favorite games: Buy, Sell, Hold! Note: The content and opinions presented within this podcast are not intended as
Southern Glazer's talks industry trends, inventory, and digitalization
As the largest wine and spirits distributor in North America, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits has a unique perspective on the US alcohol market. Senior leaders David Chaplin (Chief Growth Officer), John Wittig (Chief Commercial Officer), and Alan Wizeman (Chief Digital Officer) share their views on the health of the US alcohol market, consumer trends, distributor inventories, and the fast evolvin
2024 economic outlook
Economic power duo Jane Foley and Christian Lawrence return to discuss the outlook for a recession, interest rates, inflation, and consumer spending and how these economic trends could impact food and beverage companies as we enter the new year. Rabobank clients can sign up for our research via this link: research.rabobank.com. Note: The content and opinions presented within this podcast are no
Soft drinks boom, spirits hungover, and consumers reach an inflection point
For the first time in more than a year, the Liquid Assets team gets to do a recording in the same room. They take turns picking news stories that speak to wider trends impacting the beverages industry. Rabobank clients can sign up for our research via this link: Research.Rabobank.com Note: The content and opinions presented within this podcast are not intended as investment advice, and the opinion
The history of bourbon, as told by Heaven Hill
Bourbon has been booming for years, but that growth was preceded by a half century of hardship, hard work, and good luck that laid the groundwork for the soaring category we see today. Heaven Hill's Max Shapira and Kate Latts lived through the good times and the bad. We tap that experience to understand the winding path that has led American whiskey to its current zenith and what more recent trend
Sports marketing 101
David Broughton, a journalist and director of research for Sports Business Journal, discusses the history of sports advertising, how it is evolving, and what recent changes to the industry mean for building brands on the back of humanity's most beloved pastimes. Rabobank clients can sign up for our research via this link: Research.Rabobank.com Note: The content and opinions presented within t
What Kind of M&A Deals Will We See in 2024?
With one of our favorite guests, consumer foods specialist Maria Castroviejo, and one of our favorite formats (a draft!), we debate the strategies that will drive beverage M&A deals over the next 12 to 18 months. Rabobank clients can read our report The New Deal Environment by logging in to our website. Note: The content and opinions presented within this podcast are not intended as investme
The State of the US Craft Industry
Margie Lehrman, CEO of the American Craft Spirits Association, and Bart Watson, Chief Economist for the Brewers Association, team up to discuss the winds of change blowing through the craft industry. Not long ago, the seas of craft beer and spirits were all smooth sailing as operators expanded into new, undiscovered territory. As costs rise, consumers shrug, and investors start to feel uneasy, man
A Liquid Assets Celebration
Steve and Jim invite Liquid Assets listeners to join them in congratulating Bourcard for becoming a father… on Father's Day. Congrats Buki!!!
Can Changes to Ingredients Help Fight Inflation? Kerry on Innovation vs. Reformulation
There are two major ways that beverage companies are changing their ingredients to fight inflation. Some brands are looking to cut costs by replacing their more expensive ingredients with cheaper ones. Others brands are developing new products or modifying existing products to increase revenues by adding more functional ingredients or making healthier versions of those products. We are joined by J
How Is a New Brand Supposed to Find Distribution in the US?
As the big get bigger, many new brands and foreign brands are wondering how to get attention in the massive and complicated US distribution landscape? Sara Harmelin, Vice President – Digital & Innovation at Allied Beverage Group, and Michael Bilello, Executive Vice President – Strategic Communications & Marketing at WSWA, are both part of Access Craft, a program from WSWA to help smaller and new-t
Breakthru's Danny Wirtz on Digital, Alternative Routes-to-market, and How Brands Can Get the Most out of Distributors
We sit down with Danny Wirtz, vice chairman and a fourth-generation family leader at Breakthru Beverage Group, to discuss M&A, the digitalization of distribution, and how brands can work better with distributors in this time of uncertainty. Breakthru has a larger beer business than most other wine and spirits distributors, giving Danny unique insights into why some wine and spirits brands are choo
WSWA's Tom Cole and Francis Creighton on Distribution Trends, Marijuana Legalization, and More
Tom Cole (Chairman) and Francis Creighton (President and CEO) help lead Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA). We sat down with Tom and Francis at WSWA's annual conference, Access LIVE, to kick off our series on US distribution. They share their views on industry trends, competition, and their legislative agenda for the year ahead.
How Are Beverages Performing Around the Globe?
To show off the global reach of the RaboResearch Beverages team, Steve and Bourcard sit down with analysts across four different continents, collecting stories about the economy and how it is affecting beverage brands around the world. Episode breakdown: 1:23 - Jim Watson on the latest US beverage pricing data and why some brands are outperforming the competition. 18:21 - Andrés Padilla & Guilhe
Will Beer Be More Profitable in 2023?
Against all odds, most big brewers were able to grow their business and expand margins in 2022. Can they do it again in 2023, or will lagging cost pressures and backlash from recent price increases come back to bite them? The authors of Rabobank's latest Beer Quarterly report share how brewers are working to control costs, boost revenues, and present their outlook on big-brewer balance sheets for
What Do Young People Want? Feat. Beatbox Beverages
At Liquid Assets, we take pride in avoiding "how-I-built-this" stories. But once in a while, a brand comes along whose path to success is so unique, so unexpected, that the best and most insightful question you can ask is: "How?" Beatbox Beverages is one of those companies. Cofounders Aimy Steadman (COO) and Brad Shultz (CMO) share the origins of the brand, how they stay connected to young 21+ co
The 2023 Economic Outlook
Economist power duo Jane Foley and Christian Lawrence return to discuss the most important economic trends heading into the new year and what a potential recession, persistent inflation, labor shortages, and a cost-of-living crisis for lower-income consumers could mean for the beverage industry.
Second Annual Quiz-of-the-Year
In a show packed with passionate debate, fierce competition, and even mutiny, journalist Kate Bernot (Good Beer Hunting, Craft Beer & Brewing magazine) and Brewbound Managing Editor Jess Infante help us process the most important stories from 2022. Kate and Jess also do a bit of a takeover, hosting the second annual Liquid Assets Quiz-of-the-Year. Happy holidays, everyone! Thanks for tuning in and
Crypto-Death, Innovation, and Marijuana Burnouts
Using recent industry headlines for inspiration, we break down three big questions on the minds of many beverage executives: Could a change in investor mindset brought on by the collapse of cryptocurrencies be good for the beverage business? What new brands and partnerships are working best at big beverage companies? Has the hype surrounding marijuana and CBD finally burned out?
Get Ready for an Energy Crisis!
An energy crisis caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine is devastating the European economy. There is a global shortage of diesel, the go-to fuel source for the trains, trucks, and ships that support economic activity around the world. And greenhouse gas emissions are rising as households, governments, and businesses scramble for affordable, yet dirtier, sources of energy. Rabobank's energy str
How AB InBev's E-commerce Team Wants To Bring Sales and Marketing Teams Together
E-commerce and digital marketing are blurring the lines between sales and marketing, but sales and marketing teams don't always get along. Carolyn Brown, Head of Commerce Marketing at AB InBev, and Rebecca Christiansen, AB InBev's Director of eCommerce, see this as an opportunity to help their sales and marketing teams better understand each other and increase collaboration, setting up the world's
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