🚨 Thirsty Thursdays Q2 Industry Roundtable: From Non-Alc Growth To THC Beverages & Distribution Shifts Q2 Review 🚨 Thirsty Thursdays @3PM EST podcast

🚨 Thirsty Thursdays Q2 Industry Roundtable: From Non-Alc Growth to THC Beverages & Distribution Shifts Q2 Review 🚨

8d ago 55:19

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RTDs, THC drinks, NA growth, Gen Z’s return to alcohol, and the RNDC→Reyes CA shakeup—what’s next for 2025? Insights from Uncle Nearest, Booze Biz & Business of Drinks 🎙️ ⁨@ThirstyThursdaysat3PMEST⁩

Watch here on YouTube! https://youtu.be/NJwLcZqJ9Cs
This quarter’s Thirsty Thursdays roundtable brings Kate Jerkens (Uncle Nearest), Caitlyn LuBell (Booze Biz), and Erica Duecy (Business of Drinks) to decode what’s really moving the beverage market in 2025.
🔍 What we cover
Macro pressure vs. “non-essential” spend: Rising student/auto debt and delinquencies are squeezing discretionary purchases—especially for younger consumers.
Gen Z is drinking again: New IWSR Bevtrac data shows Gen Z alcohol participation rebounding toward other cohorts.
NA momentum (esp. beer): No-alcohol leads no/low with ~+7% volume CAGR through 2028; NA beer is surging globally.
THC beverages 101: Rapid retail growth (hemp-derived and dispensary channels), dosage strategy (2–5mg “sessionable” vs. 10mg “value”), and the Farm Bill/regulatory watch.
Distribution shakeup: RNDC exits California; Reyes and mid-tier distributors step in—opening doors for some brands and bottlenecking others.
Functionality as table stakes: Hydration, adaptogens, gut-health cues, and mood-positioning (“calm/energy/focus”) now drive trial—especially in NA/THC.
💡 Takeaways
Follow the consumer, not the category: RTDs, NA, and THC are winning because they fit occasions (casual, at-home, brunch, “zebra striping”).
Plan for compliance volatility: THC bevs = opportunity + regulatory risk. Track state rules and the Farm Bill timeline.
Rethink route-to-market: Mid-sized distributors can give brands real focus post-RNDC, but onboarding capacity is tight.
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Chapters

1. 🚨 Thirsty Thursdays Q2 Industry Roundtable: From Non-Alc Growth to THC Beverages & Distribution Shifts Q2 Review 🚨 (00:00:00)

2. Consumer Debt and Spending Trends (00:03:43)

3. Growth of Non-Alcoholic Beverages (00:07:22)

4. The Rise of Functional Drinks (00:10:59)

5. THC and Alcohol: A New Frontier (00:16:34)

6. Job Market Dynamics in the Beverage Industry (00:21:52)

7. The Evolving Landscape of THC Products (00:23:19)

8. Navigating Compliance and Market Challenges (00:26:11)

9. The Rise of THC Beverages in Dispensaries (00:28:57)

10. The Future of Adaptogens and Mood-Based Marketing (00:32:38)

11. Distribution Dynamics in the Cannabis Industry (00:34:10)

12. The Need for Small to Mid-Sized Distributors (00:39:10)

13. Retailer Dynamics and the Evolving Market (00:40:35)

14. Innovation in the Beverage Industry (00:41:46)

15. The Impact of COVID on Entrepreneurship (00:43:42)

16. Generational Shifts in Alcohol Consumption (00:45:10)

17. The Future of Alcohol Innovation (00:47:40)

18. The Changing Landscape of Alcoholic Beverages (00:49:26)

19. The Role of Marketing in Alcoholic Products (00:51:27)

20. Produced by Fedora J Productions (00:54:52)

21. Tune in Next Thursday & Have a Great Week! (00:55:14)

123 episodes