Cheers is dedicated to delivering hospitality professionals the information, insights and data necessary to drive their beverage business by covering trends and innovations in operations, merchandising, service and training.
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www.cheersonline.com 6 • May 2016 FIRST SIP ORDERING A DRAFT in a bar used to be so much simpler. You would have a choice of some of the macro beer brands, light and regular, an import or two and maybe a regional offering. But now, in addition to the many craft brews, local specialties and seasonal beers, you see more ciders available on tap. Hard root beer is also now cropping up on draft, as well as kombucha—the fermented tea beverage that's recently made the leap from health-food shops to bars. There's kegged cocktails and wines now, too. The adult beverage choices on tap today can be overwheming, both for guests and for the operators trying to determine what to offer on draft. After all, there are only so many taps available, and kegged beverages take up valuable bar real estate. Plus, if a draft item doesn't sell quickly, it will spoil and lead to waste. They are not easy to manage, but draft systems are a key advantage for bars and restaurants. A fresh, perfectly poured beverage served at the optimum temperature in the right glass is part of what entices customers to go out for a drink vs. picking up a bottle or six-pack to enjoy at home. A number of bars and restaurants have implemented tap technology, as our article "Beverage Innovation in Action" (page 33) points out. For instance, Tupelo Honey, a 12-unit chain based in Ashville, NC, has expanded its draft program for beer, wine and cocktails. Dog Haus, a Pasadena, CA-based gourmet hot dog chain, has implemented self-service beer taps. Our feature on kombucha (page 37) highlights some of the on-premise draft programs some bars have started with the trendy beverage. Several mixologists are also getting creative with kombucha-based cocktails; the article includes some great recipes. We also examine the alcoholic soda craze (page 41), which seemed to come out of nowhere. It's hard to believe that it's been less than a year since Not Your Father's Root Beer hit the market nationally and got the trend going. Since then, the spiked soda category has surged. There are so many new and hot products and trends in beverage alcohol that it's hard to know what to focus on. But whether it's through unique offerings, super service or cutting-edge technology, bars and restaurants have a number of ways to provide an exceptional experience for guests. Cheers! Melissa Dowling Editor Cheers May 2016 / Vol. 27 No. 3 Editor Melissa Dowling 203-855-8499 ext. 2223 mdowling@epgmediallc.com Associate Editor Kyle Swartz 203-855-8499 ext. 2225 kswartz@epgmediallc.com Managing Art Director Dodi Vessels dvessels@epgmediallc.com Production Director Cherri Perschmann 763-383-4425 cperschmann@epgmediallc.com Contributing Editors Amanda Baltazar, John Fischer, Kelly A. Magyarics, Jeremy Nedelka, Lucy Saunders, Thomas Henry Strenk Senior Regional Sales Managers Bruce Kostic 203-855-8499 ext. 2215 bkostic@epgmediallc.com Mark Marcon 763-383-4456 mmarcon@epgmediallc.com Debbie Rittenberg 763-383-4455 drittenberg@epgmediallc.com List Rental MeritDirect, Jim Scova jscova@MeritDirect.com 914-368-1012 Reprints Robin Cooper rcooper@epgmediallc.com Cheers ® is published by EPG Media & Specialty Information Editorial offices at 17 High Street, 2nd Floor Norwalk, CT 06851 Tel: 203-855-8499 • Fax: 203-855-9446 CEO Marion Minor Sr VP/Audience Development Joanne Juda-Prainito Sr VP/Finance & Operations Gerald Winkel VP/Beverage Group Amy Collins Cheers (ISSN 1051-564X—USP Number 007-239) is published eight times per year (January/February, March/April, May, June, July/August, September, October, November/December) by EPG Media & Specialty Information, 17 High Street, Norwalk, CT 06851. Periodical Rate Postage paid at Norwalk, CT and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Cheers, P.O. Box 2123, Skokie, IL 60076-7823 SUBSCRIPTIONS: One-year subscription rates: USA $35.00; Canada $50.00; air mail to other countries $75.00. All subscriptions payable in U.S. dollars. Payment must accompany order. To subscribe write: Cheers, P.O. Box 2123, Skokie, IL 60076-7823, or call the Cheers customer service line at 845-856-2229 (Port Jervis), Fax 847-763-9569, M-F 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST. Subscription customer service e-mail: cheers@ halldata.com. Contents copyright © 2016 by EPG Media & Specialty Information, 17 High Street, Norwalk, CT 06851. Reproduction without the express written consent of the publisher is prohibited. EPG Media & Specialty Information, publishes Cheers, Beverage Dynamics, StateWays, Wine & Spirits Industry Marketing, Handbook Advance, Liquor Handbook, Wine Handbook, Beer Handbook and Fact Book. TAPPING INTO NEW BEVERAGE OPTIONS