ANDREW PENTLAND
Co-Founder & Creative Director- Liquor Store 352
Age: 34 First Industry Job: Beer Buyer- Gator Beverage Favorite Drink: Either an Aperol Spritz or a dirty gin martini
If you’ re active on alcohol social media, you’ ve likely seen Andrew Pentland’ s work.“ Since 2022, I’ ve managed, written, produced, filmed and acted in over 1,000 videos for my social media brand, Liquor Store 352, which has generated hundreds of millions of views and is approaching one million YouTube followers,” Pentland says.“ YouTube has always played a major role in my own beverage education, so being able to contribute to that same creative community and help others learn has been especially meaningful.”
This internet fame and success came from an early passion:“ I got started simply because I loved craft beer, especially traditional European styles,” Pentland says.“ That personal interest turned into wanting to learn more, and eventually into building a career in the beverage world.”
As for obstacles he has dealt with, Pentland mentions,“ Because my passion for beer originally drew me into the industry, the recent contraction of the craft beer market was both a personal and professional challenge. Beer became a smaller part of my role as a buyer, and I needed to quickly broaden my expertise across spirits, wine and emerging beverage categories.”
As his knowledge and work both grow and evolve, Pentland“ aims to make the world of alcoholic beverages feel approachable, interesting and worth exploring. Through my social media work, I try to share knowledge in a way that’ s informative but also fun, helping people discover new flavors, cultures, and experiences.”
“ Another major part of my role in the industry is teaching a beginning bartending course at the University of Florida, which I’ ve done since 2018,” he adds.“ That opportunity to work with hundreds of students each semester has allowed me to mentor new professionals entering the field, encourage curiosity, and help them build confidence as they develop their own paths in the industry.”
If you’ re just starting out in the industry, Pentland recommends,“ Young professionals should consider the beverage industry because it’ s rooted in connection. In a world that can feel divided or impersonal, our work brings people together around shared experiences and moments of joy.”
“ Professionally, this industry fosters genuine relationships— with colleagues, partners, and customers,” he adds.“ It’ s a field where business skills grow alongside real human interaction. For those who value authenticity and community, it’ s a deeply rewarding place to build a career.”
LUIS GONZALEZ
COO- Middle West Spirits
Age: 39 First Industry Job: A bar ender at a local bar Favorite Drink: An Old Fashioned with three cherries. However, you can always find a cold case of Coors Banquet at my house.
Prior to joining Middle West Spirits as COO earlier this year, Luis Gonzalez was the CEO of Old Elk Distillery for eight years. He joined the organization in 2017, and was with the company from its R & D phase through the acquisition by Middle West Spirits.
“ In my new role at Middle West Spirits, my objective is to amplify the story of this remarkable company while building the processes, discipline and commercial strategy required to support our next phase of growth,” Gonzalez says.“ Listening to the voice of the customer remains fundamental to how I operate, and I approach it with deliberate intention. Our strong partnerships will continue to shape the future of this business, and my responsibility is to strengthen those relationships and translate them into sustainable growth— for Middle West Spirits and for the broader industry.”“ From a cultural perspective, I am deeply committed to empowering our people,” he adds.“ I expect our teams to own their decisions, drive their departments and embrace accountability— because high-performing individuals want that level of trust and responsibility. I make it a priority to work alongside each department to understand the realities of their roles, identify what they need to succeed and support the development of more efficient, scalable ways of working.”
Since joining Middle West, Gonzalez has put an emphasis on streamlining workflow, supporting the team, securing brand partnerships and raising the profile of Middle West Spirits, one of the largest contract distillers in the U. S.
Contemplating objectives in his new role, Gonzalez says,“ Our goal is straightforward: to be the most respected distillery in the industry,” he continues.“ Most importantly, I am focused on developing the next generation of talent within the organization. Whether their future lies at Middle West Spirits or elsewhere, I want our people to be prepared, confident, and equipped to seize the opportunities ahead.”
“ Simply stated, our priority is clear: put our people and our customers first,” he adds.“ I firmly believe that almost anything is achievable when we invest the time, stay focused on what truly matters, and maintain an unwavering commitment to excellence.”
14 2026 BEVERAGE INFORMATION GROUP 40 UNDER 40