Beverage Dynamics is the largest national business magazine devoted exclusively to the needs of off-premise beverage alcohol retailers, from single liquor stores to big box chains, through coverage of the latest trends in wine, beer and spirits.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/565520
6 Beverage Dynamics • September/October 2015 www.beveragedynamics.com Editor's NOTE VP, Beverage Group Amy Collins Editor Jeremy Nedelka Tel: 203-855-8499 x213 email: jnedelka@epgmediallc.com Associate Editor Kyle Swartz Tel: 203-855-8499 x225 email: kswartz@epgmediallc.com Contributing Editors Melissa Dowling Julie Johnson Levi King Harriet Lembeck Jonathan Newman Pauline Oudin Robert Plotkin Jack Robertiello Michael A. Schaefer Thomas Henry Strenk Nicholas Upton Sales Managers Bruce Kostic Tel: 203-855-8499, ext. 215 email: bkostic@epgmediallc.com Mark Marcon Tel: 248-761-6231 email: mmarcon@epgmediallc.com Debbie Rittenberg Tel: 215-431-8787 email: drittenberg@epgmediallc.com Art Director Jean Blackmer Production Director Cherri Perschmann Tel: 763-383-4425 email: cperschmann@epgmediallc.com Managing Art Director Dodi Vessels Senior Research Analyst Adam Rogers Tel: 203-855-8499 x212 email: arogers@epgmediallc.com REPRINTS Circulation and Audience Development Manager Robin Cooper email: rcooper@epgmediallc.com LIST RENTAL MeritDirect, Jim Scova email: jscova@MeritDirect.com Tel: 914-368-1012 CEO Marion Minor Sr VP/Finance & Operations Gerald Winkel Sr VP/Audience Development Joanne Juda-Prainito Beverage Dynamics is published by Beverage Information Group, a division of EPG Media & Specialty Information EDITORIAL OFFICES 17 High St., 2nd Fl., Norwalk, CT 06851 Tel: 203-855-8499 | Fax: 203-855-9446 EXECUTIVE OFFICES 10405 Sixth Ave. N., Suite 210, Plymouth, MN 55441 Tel: 763-383-4400 | Fax: 763-383-4499 RETAILER EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Charles Bailes III ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Orlando,FL Ralph Bondon Berbiglia's, Kansas City, MO David Breitstein Duke of Bourbon, Canoga Park, CA Jim Shpall Applejack Liquors, Wheat Ridge, CO Hal Gershman Happy Harry's Bottle Shop, Grand Forks, ND Ron Junge Brown Derby Stores, Springfi eld, MO Ted Farrell Haskell's, Minneapolis, MN Charles Sonnenberg Frugal MacDoogal's, Nashville, TN BEVERAGE DYNAMICS GOES TO WASHINGTON THIS ISSUE HAS AN AMERICAN THEME, as we celebrate beverages that refl ect the culture, craftsmanship and spirit of the U.S. (see "American Made," page 44). September is Bourbon month and suppliers continue to run low on stockpiles, as the category continues to grow beyond anyone's expectations. Beyond Kentucky, the overall American Whiskey category is riding the Bourbon bandwagon. Tennessee whiskey, moonshine, blends and especially rye are all fi nding renewed interest as Millennials continue to experiment. The American beer market is a tale of two industries – the biggest brands continue to lose market share, but still generate tens of billions of dollars. Meanwhile, craft brands generate the most attention and conversation, but the need to stay local and true to their roots stifl es growth (and those who grow too big risk losing their "craft" status). As more distilleries and breweries open and companies continue to inno- vate, questions about labeling requirements, production methods, origin restric- tions and preferences toward local products abound. Local, state and federal regulatory agencies are creating a patchwork of rules to govern these start-ups, but that process is still in the early stages. GET INVOLVED IN THE FUTURE OF OUR INDUSTRY Speaking of regulations, last month I took a trip to the nation's capital to meet with a number of beverage industry associations and organizations to learn more about the people who are fi ghting on behalf of all members of our three- tier system. I spoke to groups representing retailers, on-premise licensees, distributors and suppliers about the biggest challenges facing the industry. What I learned is that each of those organizations wants what's best for the industry in the long- term: sensible regulation and responsible consumption. The biggest threat facing the beverage alcohol industry is apathy among stakeholders. Generations of retailers, wholesalers and brand managers have spent decades creating and defending our industry. Many of the most active members will soon retire, and it's up to the next generation to fi ll the void. I encourage all readers to take an interest in the local, state and federal laws and regulations that impact your business, if you haven't already. Join a trade group, learn more about the three-tier system and get involved. Don't know where to start? Here are some of the industry's best national resources – register as a member, join a mailing list or just use them to keep up on the biggest issues facing beverage alcohol. There's no excuse for apathy. ABL (American Beverage Licensees): www.ablusa.org DISCUS (The Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S.): www.discus.org NBWA (National Beer Wholesalers Association): www.nbwa.org WSWA (Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America): www.wswa.org Jeremy Nedelka Editor