EDITOR ' S NOTE

I don ’ t know about everybody else , but I ’ m pretty excited for the fall season . This summer has been beautiful and I certainly enjoyed the warm weather , but there ’ s something so refreshing about crisp fall days , cozy sweaters and pumpkin spice . Call me your average autumn girlie if you will , but I love the fall . With the changing seasons also comes changing trends and new products . More specifically , new and returning Oktoberfest beverages . Firestone Walker ’ s seasonal Oaktoberfest is back , Two Roads ’ Ok2berfest beer is returning for the brewery ’ s annual Ok2berfest event , Athletic Brewing ’ s alcohol-free Oktoberfest is once again back on store shelves in select locations and many other seasonal offerings will once again take over the fall months .

Aside from the excitement for new and returning fall brews , we also have some goodies packed into our fall edition of Beverage Wholesaler . Between a likely positive comeback for beer , the whiskey industry becoming too saturated , and our Growth Brands Suppliers of the Year and Hall of Famer , there ’ s a lot jammed into this issue to give you the scoop on the latest beverage alcohol industry trends .

One particular trend that keeps getting thrown in my face is the use of AI across the board . It ’ s becoming standard for companies to utilize AI to help with employee tasks , gather consumer data , track orders more easily and even optimize delivery routes to help drivers stay out of traffic . The more people I talk to about AI , the more they warn me that if companies don ’ t utilize the technology at their hands , they will not succeed .

That should come as no surprise . With how easy it has become to implement AI and how effective it is at gathering and tracking data , you really do need it to run a successful business .

There will be more technology talk soon to come in our 2024 Technology Guide , which will get published later this year . But for now , enjoy our fall issue and dive right into the plethora of trends that can help you plan for the future .

Trade Managing Editor Krystina Skibo Tel : 763-383-4419 email : kskibo @ epgacceleration . com

Editor , Off-Premise Kyle Swartz Tel : 763-383-4447 email : kswartz @ epgacceleration . com

Contributing Editors Melissa Dowling , Marnie Old , Tom Shay

National Account Director Debbie Rittenberg Tel : 763-383-4455 email : drittenberg @ epgacceleration . com

Marketing and Engagement Sales Manager Jamie Boldt Tel : 763-383-4456 email : jboldt @ epgacceleration . com

Associate Managing Art Director Nicole Siewert

Senior Product Manager , Data & Insights Marina Velez Tel : 763-383-4453 email : mvelez @ epgacceleration . com

List Rental Kris Grauer email : kgrauer @ npsmediagroup . com Tel : 203-822-7933

Reprints For more information on e-prints or reprints from StateWays magazine , visit https :// https :// epgacceleration . com / engagement / and contact us today or email us at info @ epgacceleration .

Beverage Group Vice President Jeremy Nedelka Sr VP / Audience Development Joanne Juda-Prainito Corporate Operations Director Bernadette Wohlman CEO Marion Minor

BRAND ACCELERATION

Krystina Skibo Trade Managing Editor

Beverage Wholesaler is published by EPG Brand Acceleration Editorial and executive offices at 7760 France Ave S Suite 810 Bloomington , MN 55435 Telephone : 763-383-4400

4 Beverage Wholesaler • Fall 2024 www . beveragewholesaler . com