8 Beverage Dynamics • September/October 2016
www.beveragedynamics.com
Editor's
NOTE
VP, Beverage Group
Amy Collins
Editor
Jeremy Nedelka
Tel: 203-855-8499 x2213
email: jnedelka@epgmediallc.com
Associate Editor
Kyle Swartz
Tel: 203-855-8499 x2225
email: kswartz@epgmediallc.com
Contributing Editors
Laurie Daniel Melissa Niksic
Melissa Dowling Jack Robertiello
Julie Johnson Thomas Henry Strenk
Jonathan H. Newman
Senior Regional Sales Manager
Bruce Kostic
Tel: 203-855-8499, x2215
email: bkostic@epgmediallc.com
Senior Regional Sales Manager
Mark Marcon
Tel: 763-383-4456
email: mmarcon@epgmediallc.com
Senior Regional Sales Manager
Debbie Rittenberg
Tel: 763-383-4455
email: drittenberg@epgmediallc.com
Associate Art Director
Andrea Schneider
Production Director
Cherri Perschmann
Tel: 763-383-4425
email: cperschmann@epgmediallc.com
Managing Art Director
Dodi Vessels
Senior Research Analyst
Marina Velez
Tel: 203-855-8499 x2212
email: mvelez@epgmediallc.com
LIST RENTAL
MeritDirect, Jim Scova
email: jscova@MeritDirect.com
Tel: 914-368-1012
REPRINTS
Circulation and Audience Development Manager
Robin Cooper
email: rcooper@epgmediallc.com
Sr VP/Audience Development Joanne Juda-Prainito
Sr VP/Finance & Operations Gerald Winkel
CEO Marion Minor
RETAILER EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
Ralph Bondon Berbiglia's
Hal Gershman Happy Harry's Bottle Shop
Ron Junge Brown Derby Stores
Ted Farrell Haskell's
Ed Mulvihill Peco's Liquors
Steve Small Yankee Wine & Spirits
Charles Sonnenberg Frugal MacDoogal's
Beverage Dynamics is published by
EPG Media & Specialty Information
Editorial and executive offi ces at 17 High St.,
2nd Fl., Norwalk, CT 06851
Telephone: 203-855-8499
Fax: 203-855-9446
LOCAL TREND GOES NATIONAL
THIS SUMMER, AMERICANS WERE FOCUSED ON AMERICA.
Between the Summer Olympics and the Presidential election, there was no escap-
ing the widespread patriotism and politics. Fittingly, this issue focuses on Ameri-
can beverage products – beer, vodka, whiskey, wine and craft spirits.
Aside from the slow decline in mainstream domestic beers, American products
are continuing their multi-year increase in sales. California wine production is up,
the American vodka category continues to expand and most Bourbon makers
can't keep up with demand. The "buy local" movement is well beyond farm-to-ta-
ble restaurants, CSAs and Small Business Saturday – it's impacting every industry,
including off-premise retailing.
Our "American Made" section (page 23) covers the trends shaping the Amer-
ican beverage categories. How can retailers improve their allocations as demand
for American Whiskey rises faster than aging stock? Will American vodka's gains
be offset by losses for imported vodkas? How will consolidation affect big Ameri-
can brewers, and which craft beers are being eyed as acquisition targets? Can Cal-
ifornia wineries withstand the impact of climate change and long-term droughts?
The answers to those questions and more are found throughout this issue.
LIVE AND IN-PERSON
Next year, Beverage Dynamics will bring live events back to off-premise retailing.
The inaugural Beverage Alcohol Retailers Conference
will be held June 12-14 in Minnesota, at the Radisson
Blu Minneapolis Downtown. The event offers in-person
educational and networking opportunities for small and
medium-size independent and chain retailers. Attendees
can also sign up for an additional course given by the Wine & Spirits Education
Trust, which, if passed, results in a Level 2 Wine and Spirits certifi cation.
Full details, including the agenda and registration pricing, will be available
soon. Visit www.BevRetailersConference.com for more information about the
event. We hope to see you there!
Jeremy Nedelka
Editor
HONORING TOP RETAILERS
Nominations are now open for the 2017 Retailers of the Year Awards.
Visit www.BeverageDynamics.com/retaileroftheyear to fi nd out more.