Special Edition Round Table Discussion 2025 Review and 2026 Outlook

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This week 📢I talk🎙️with Kate Jerkens at Uncle Nearest and Caitlyn LuBell at BoozeBiz and we discuss the beverage industry in 2025 and 2026. 👏🍷 🎇 🎉 ✨ 👏 🥂 😁

👀📹 Watch here: 👉👉 [PASTE HERE]🚀✨🍹

2025 was a reset year for beverage 🍷🍺🍹 RTDs surged, NA grew, costs spiked & hiring shifted. We break down data, trends, distributor chaos & what’s coming in 2026. 👀  👉 @ThirstyThursdaysat3PMEST

2025 shook the beverage industry to its core 🍸📉. From RTD dominance and NA growth, to California distributor chaos, premium pricing pressure, and talent market stress, this episode breaks it all down—no fluff, just real talk.

Key Takeaways 🔑

• 📉 Growth slowed—but didn’t stop
• 🍹 RTDs are winning on convenience & price
• 🚫 NA still struggles with sugar + shelf life
• 🏬 Distribution strategy > national expansion
• 🧠 Storytelling + velocity matter more than ever
• 💼 Hiring is tighter, salaries pressured
• 🔄 2025 = reset | 2026 = change + growth

🎯 Why this matters:
If you’re building, selling, hiring, or distributing in beverage—this episode helps you see the chessboard, not just the pieces.

Describe 2025 and 2026 in One Word

Jessie Ott
2025:

“My word was to level up on the "experience” of enjoying a cocktail.

2026:

"My word is "hopeful". I’m hoping that this is the new foundation of what’s to come.”

Caitlyn LuBell
2025:

“My word for 2025 was "evolution.”

2026:

“My word for 2026 is "growth"… we can only go up from here.”

Kate Jerkens
2025:

“I think "reset" was a great word. I still think reset is applicable.”

2026:

“Mine is "change"… something’s got to change and I believe it will.”

⏱️ Chapter Descriptions

• 0:00 Welcome + Why 2025 Was a Reset
• 1:02 Meet the Guests (BoozeBiz & Uncle Nearest)
• 2:30 Who Really Holds the Money? Generational Wealth
• 5:22 Economic Signals: Growth, Inflation & LEIs
• 7:18 Premiumization & Consumer Behavior
• 9:40 Inventory Digestion & Distributor Reality
• 11:30 California Distribution Chaos Explained
• 15:42 Smaller Distributors vs Big Houses
• 18:00 Pricing Wars & National Market Impact
• 21:44 Military, Multi-Outlet & Channel Performance
• 22:26 RTDs, NA Mixers & Brand Winners
• 25:30 The Real Cost of $30 Cocktails
• 29:00 Why RTDs Win on Convenience & Cost
• 33:55 Hiring Challenges & Salary Compression
• 41:10 Tastings, Education & Velocity
• 45:15 Why 2025 Was a Reset Year
• 50:07 Unemployment & Workforce Mismatch
• 56:

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Host Jessie Ott's Profile on LinkedIn