This was also a return home. EPG Media, which owns BARC and Beverage Dynamics magazine, is centered in Minneapolis.

In the past decade, the conference has naturally changed and adapted. More recently, the highlights have remained the same: days of invaluable education and networking, along with store trips, sampling opportunities, speaking with vendors and the Beverage Incubator contest.

BARC would not be possible without its incredible sponsors. In 2026, this group included our platinum sponsors City Hive and Sante, as well as Don Q, POS 360, Uber Eats, Bird Dog Whiskey, Good Trouble, Nouvie, National Retail Solutions, Oak Ridge Winery, Surfside, Calumet, Preservio, Weber Ranch and Wynk.

The 2026 conference took place at the Minneapolis Marquette Hotel, located downtown. The opening keynote was Gary Fisch, founder of Gary ' s Wine & Marketplace, a Top 100 Hall of Fame retailer based in New Jersey.

Fisch focused on how the industry should best approach the ongoing pullback in the alcohol retail business. He observed,“ Starting since 1976 to today, we’ ve had unprecedented

by THE STAFF

growth. No other industry has done that. So, are we going to stick our heads in the sand, or are we going to reinvigorate?”

“ If you believe you can succeed in this environment, I guarantee you can,” he added.“ Opportunity exists in every market, winners are built during difficult periods, mindset precedes performance and optimism is a competitive advantage.”

Fisch then joined the first panel of BARC 2026, which covered the current state of beverage alcohol retail. Naturally, THC drinks were a major topic.

“ We’ re seeing THC become a well-established category,” said panelist Melissa Surdyk, co-owner of Surdyk’ s in Northeast Minneapolis.“ Before, they would need to buy 10, but now it’ s shifting where they’ re buying one or two THC drinks, but then also picking up beer.”

Agreeing with her was her fellow panelist Mohit Patel, co-owner of Barrel Blends Wine and Spirits in the St. Louis area.“ What we see is customers picking up THC drinks and a bottle of wine, as well,” he said.“ Recently, people have been asking us for lower-sugar THC drinks, so it’ s all about education around the category and making sure your staff are educated on the drinks.”

Conversations about cannabis beverages, the trendiest category in 2026, continued throughout BARC. Later in the conference, The Changing Landscape panel included Michael Maxwell, Regional Sales Director for the Minnesota-based

20 Beverage Dynamics • 2026 Top 100 Issue www. beveragedynamics. com