Beverage Master: Craft Spirits & Brew Magazine

08/29/2025

Just a refresher on the difference between bourbon and whiskey!

In this intriguing video, we delve into the nuanced world of spirits to unravel the age-old question: What’s the difference between bourbon and whiskey? Join us as we explore the unique characteristics that set these two beloved drinks apart. From their origins and production processes to taste va...

08/20/2025

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Email from August 2025 Digital Issue Sponsor:       Subscribe FREE!   Brewery News   Pints and pews: Mount Olivet's plan for a brewery While a church building a brewery is almost unheard of, Mount Ol

08/19/2025

Statue of Liberty's crown at Exile Brewing Co. in Des Moines, Iowa.

Yes, it's a full-size replica of the Statue of Liberty crown that sits on top of Exile Brewing in Des Moines, Iowa. The crown is called "The Gateway Colossus" and was created by Iowa artist James Ellwanger. It is an exact replica made of copper and steel that is 30 feet wide and weighs 7,000 pounds. Located at 1514 Walnut St, Des Moines, Iowa. Brian Abeling / Iowa Road Trip

08/13/2025

The inaugural Oktoberfest took place on October 12, 1810, as part of the wedding festivities for Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) of Bavaria and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. Residents were invited to enjoy a five-day celebration culminating in a horse race at Theresienwiese or “Therese’s green.” The event’s popularity led to the race being held annually, eventually evolving to include food stalls and beer tents, resulting in the pop-up beer halls made of plywood, complete with interior balconies and bandstands, that visitors enjoy today. These beer halls and tents accommodate over six million guests anticipated at the 2025 Oktoberfest.

Oktoberfest in Germany and Around the USA By Melissa Watkins, Loan Mantra As we prepare to roll out the barrel for Oktoberfest, the world’s most renowned beer festival taking place in Munich, Germany, we invite you to immerse yourself in this grand celebration of Bavarian culture. This annual two-...

08/12/2025

Beer, wine and spirit sales are sagging due to reduced consumption, inconsistent tariffs that threaten many aspects of our industry, wholesaler consolidation and low consumer confidence. Combining these trends means that the battle for shelf and handle space will be frenetic. The fight for the consumer’s share of stomach will be equally challenging.
https://beverage-master.com/2025/08/five-bucks-a-bag-of-chips/

08/11/2025

The marriage between beer and this frosty, frozen dessert really takes the ice cream and soda combination and spins it on its head. You'll get the same effervescence and frothiness that you'd find in a solid soda, along with the hoppy and malty notes from your beer of choice. All of it intertwines with the sweet, subtle flavor notes of the cold, creamy ice cream. It's heavenly -- albeit unconventional.

If you're looking to make your sweet treat a bit boozy this summer, try out one of these ice cream and beer pairings recommended by some experts.

08/11/2025

Craft doesn’t guarantee growth, Clarity does. In today’s saturated beverage market, the brands winning shelf space, closing distribution deals, and attracting serious investment aren’t always the ones with the best product. They’re the ones with the clearest story. The ones who make it easy for buyers, investors, and consumers to say: “I get it. I want in.”

If you’re preparing for the next big trade show, fundraising round, or distributor meeting, here’s the hard truth: your product alone isn’t enough. You need a brand story that sells.

How Brand Clarity Drives Shelf Space, Sales Growth, and Strategic Opportunities By Jake Ahles, Morel Creative Craft doesn’t guarantee growth, Clarity does. In today’s saturated beverage market, the brands winning shelf space, closing distribution deals, and attracting serious investment aren’t...

08/09/2025

08/08/2025

Every distiller got their start distilling somewhere even if it was not necessarily legal. Many American distillers did not make their first batch of spirits in compliance with the laws of the United States. If you ask most professional distillers and distillery owners where they got their start, these people are not always open to discussing this topic.

The reason for the hushed tones or outright silence when discussing learning distilling is that many distillers made their first batches of distilled spirits illegally. United States laws spell out that it is illegal to distill at home. If you were to hypothetically set up a little 5 gallon still at home and distill a few bottles of moonshine you have committed a criminal activity that warrants a felony in the United States.

It Depends on Who You Ask By Kris Bohm, Dhttp://www.distillery-now.comistillery Now Consulting Every distiller got their start distilling somewhere even if it was not necessarily legal. Many American distillers did not make their first batch of spirits in compliance with the laws of the United State...

08/07/2025

Expanding into new markets is a major milestone for craft beverage producers, but it’s also when supply chain vulnerabilities tend to surface. Inconsistent storage conditions, longer transit times, and unfamiliar distribution partners can all jeopardize product quality and brand reputation.

For today’s craft brewers, distillers, and ready-to-drink innovators, ensuring product integrity isn’t just about preserving flavor—it’s about having a cold chain strategy that can scale. From temperature-sensitive transit to final-mile delivery, success depends on reliable partners, smart planning, and the right equipment. Read the entire article:

How Craft Beverage Producers Can Protect Product Quality During Distribution By Nick Fryer, Vice President of Marketing, Sheer Logistics Expanding into new markets is a major milestone for craft beverage producers, but it’s also when supply chain vulnerabilities tend to surface. Inconsistent stora...

08/06/2025

The reasons why you are starting a distillery affect your motivations and your willingness to stick out some tough times. If your goal is to make money, you can stop right here. If your goal is to make some truly great spirits and pursue a passion you might be on the right track.

Why, When, Where, and How? By Stephen Tomori, Kindred Spirits Consulting The process of starting a distillery is a daunting adventure that a number of entrepreneurs have undertaken in the past decade with mixed results. The process itself is comprised of navigating outdated and overly complicated go...