Your Bottle Is Not The Hook. The Barrel Is.

Jennie Bayliss, founder of Letterbox Cocktails, joins Samuel Anderson and Adam Smith on DrinkUp. She shares what she learned moving from a service business to a product business, designing cocktails that fit through a letterbox, and selling gifts for occasions.We talk about 300% growth, what worked in organic marketing, and why TikTok Shop did not turn out to be the shortcut she expected.DrinkUp | Season 5, Episode 33https://letterbox-cocktails.com/https://drinkuppodcast.com/

Sam talks with John McCormack of Fat Ass Vodka about the brand and his journey in the beverage industry.

Jeff House, founder of California Cider Company and ACE Cider, joins Samuel Anderson and Adam Smith on DrinkUp. From importing British beer and building a cider category to a roughly $50 million exit and the fight to rescue his brand, Jeff shares the long view of beverage entrepreneurship.We talk about bootstrapping, owning your brand, surviving before the market catches up, pineapple cider, national distribution, and why the exit is not always the finish line.DrinkUp | Season 5, Episode 31The Cider King: https://ciderking.net/https://drinkuppodcast.com/https://calendly.com/d/cn2n-r3x-hfx

Max and Corina, founders of Mad Lemon, join Samuel Anderson and Adam Smith on DrinkUp to talk about building a canned cocktail brand from a lemonade stand, earning reorders, distributor incentives, controlling cost of goods, and creating a community people want to join.175 Colorado accounts. A fresh start in Los Angeles. And why a big launch party is not the place to spend your last dollar.DrinkUp | Season 5, Episode 30https://drinkmadlemon.com/https://drinkuppodcast.com/https://calendly.com/d/cn2n-r3x-hfx

Thirty stores. Ninety days. Test before you scale.Warren Ezra, founder of Brand Vault 360 and author of Avoid the Learning Curve, joins Sam Anderson, Adam Smith and Chris Sico on DrinkUp to talk about protecting founders from expensive mistakes.We cover honest market tests, retail velocity, sponsorship spending before launch, celebrity partnerships, speed to shelf, and why signing a distributor is only the beginning.Learn more: Brand Vault 360More DrinkUp: drinkuppodcast.comCommercial strategy and field execution: Frontline Beverage | BevAssets

Every founder wants a check. Brian Rosen writes them.InvestBev founder Brian Rosen joins Sam Anderson on DrinkUp to talk about capital, bourbon inventory, crowded retail shelves, and the founders who keep getting back up.We cover the pitches that end an investor meeting, why distribution needs real support in the market, the role of credit and insurance, and why the founder can matter more than the liquid.Connect with Brian and InvestBev: investbev.comMore DrinkUp: drinkuppodcast.comCommercial strategy and field execution: Frontline Beverage | BevAssets

Emily Pennington of the American Craft Spirits Association joins Sam Anderson to discuss craft distillers, tasting rooms, creating demand, distributor partnerships and building a business for the long term.Season 5, Episode 25American Craft Spirits Association | DrinkUp Podcast

Sam Anderson, Adam Smith and Chris Siconolfi discuss the true cost of launching a beverage brand, working capital, pricing, distribution, finding the right partners and building demand one account at a time.Season 5, Episode 22Pour Proof | Alias Advising | DrinkUp Podcast

Bryan Weisberg of Thousand Oaks Barrel Company joins Sam Anderson and Adam Smith to discuss small barrels, cocktail smokers and helping spirits brands earn a place behind the bar.Season 5, Episode 26Thousand Oaks Barrel Company | DrinkUp Podcast

Michael Fors spent twenty-six years hosting Thursday night wine nights in his backyard before a walk on the rocks in Gloucester turned into a patented decanter.Sam Anderson talks with Michael, founder and inventor of Liquid Jazz Experience, about the idea behind the rocking decanter, building a prototype in two days, and turning a wine ritual into a business.Liquid Jazz Experience: https://liquidjazzexperience.com/DrinkUp Podcast: https://drinkuppodcast.com/