Thirsty Thursdays @3PM EST

Hosted by Jessie Ott

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Episodes

147

Latest episode

May 2026

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EN-US

About the show

I'm a 20+ year veteran in the wine and spirits industry who loves innovation. I'm interviewing those who are creating it from agriculture to glass. We will deep dive into their journey and provide insights to help yours. We will discuss their major industry pain points and outlook for the future. If my guest has an item to drink or eat we will try it throughout the podcast. Come on the journey with us! Now On YouTube!! https://www.youtube.com/@ThirstyThursdaysat3PMEST

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60 recent

May 8, 20261 hr 1 min

Special Edition Round Table 2026 Q1 Review - Beverage Industry Facing Massive Reset

Send us Fan MailThis week 📢I talk🎙️with Kate Jerkens at Uncle Nearest, Erica Duecy with Business of Drinks and Caitlyn LuBell at BoozeBiz and we discuss the beverage industry changes and updates in 2026. 👏🍷 🎇 🎉 ✨ 👏 🥂 😁👀📹 Watch here: 👉👉 YouTube🚀✨🍹The beverage alcohol industry is in the middle of a massive reset. 🍷📉In this powerhouse panel, JessieO sits down with leaders from whiskey, recruiting, consulting, and beverage strategy to unpack what’s really happening behind the scenes. From distributor consolidation and exploding RTDs to THC beverage regulation, tariffs, inflation, and consumer spending shifts… this conversation is packed with real-time data, analytics, and honest insight from the front lines of the beverage business.💥 Key Takeaways:📦 RNDC, Reyes & distributor consolidation explained💸 Why $25 cocktails are becoming the new normal🍹 RTD growth, Surfside momentum & Tito’s comeback🌿 THC drinks, hemp regulation & cannabis beverages📉 Why emerging brands are struggling right now📲 How Hampton Water used TikTok & community to explode growth🧠 Why sales teams matter more than ever🌎 How tariffs & global politics are impacting beverage imports🚚 Why warehouse space & inventory are becoming major problems🔥 The future of distribution, portfolio strategy & consolidation👉 If you work in wine, spirits, beer, THC beverages, RTDs, distribution, marketing, or hospitality… this episode is a MUST WATCH.🎯 CTA:Subscribe, like, and share this episode with your beverage industry community! 🍻Comment below: What’s the biggest challenge facing the industry right now?Watch ON YOUTUBE!!! Thank you for Listening! Join us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter! Host Jessie Ott's Profile on LinkedIn

April 27, 202651 min

The Hidden Distribution Problem Solved by Drink Distro Co-Founder Josh Ochoa

Send us Fan MailBuyers can’t find brands = lost sales. Learn how Drink Distro connects suppliers & buyers in real time with data, distribution visibility & faster decisions 🍷📊 @ThirstyThursdaysat3PMEST 👉🎬 Watch on YouTube → https://youtu.be/wVPVdF4Zr1o🔥 Engaging SummaryThis episode breaks down a major gap in the beverage industry: visibility. If buyers can’t find your product, it doesn’t get sold. Simple.Josh Ochoa shares how Drink Distro is changing the game by connecting suppliers and buyers in real time.DrinkDistro solves visibility for Wine & Spirit brands by creating a connection between buyers searching for products and the brands that want to be found.For Buyers to Search: https://drinkdistro.com/For Brands to List: https://drinkdistro.com/learn-more💡 Key Takeaways:Buyers struggle to find who distributes productsSuppliers lose sales without visibilityReal-time search = faster decisionsData signals demand before sales reportsSimplicity wins in a complex system👉 CTA (Call to Action)If you’re a brand, supplier, or buyer — this is your wake-up call. Watch now and rethink how you drive sales.🎇 Follow us!👏😋🥂🍾☕ 🍵 🍶🍸 🍻 🍷 🍺🍽 🍸 🍹 🥃 🍺 🍔Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThirstyThurs3PMInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thirstythursdaysat3pmest/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThirstyThursdaysat3PMEST/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessieott/Website (Podcast): https://thirstythursdaysat3pmest.buzzsprout.com/***********************************************************************C-Suite Do's Dont's to Start Bev Brand: https://youtu.be/b3Oy_RhqXmETaylor's Daily Advice to Get What You Want: https://youtu.be/ohF_Q1d6DdkInsights into Starting a Beverage Brand https://youtu.be/DT81i4bfYek2X Sales? Focus on these 5 Things https://youtu.be/3Mk_mepe4YQWatch ON YOUTUBE!!! Thank you for Listening! Join us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter! Host Jessie Ott's Profile on LinkedIn

March 26, 20261 hr 8 min

Wine Hack That Changes Everything With Michael Fors of The Jazz Experience

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Thirsty Thursdays Podcast, I talked with Michael Fors, founder of Liquid Jazz Experience a new way of thinking how to experience your wine while it opens up. Very Innovative Product and perfect for an elevated Restaurant Experience! 👏🍷 🎇 🎉 ✨ 👏 🥂 😁 🎥 Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/efObWn3pG5cThis episode isn’t about wine… it’s about experience, community, and unlocking better answers through simple innovation.Michael Fors built something that changes how we experience flavor in real time—and the results are wild.💡 Key Takeaways: 🍷 Same bottle, different experience (data doesn’t lie) 🔬 Science + analytics unlock flavor ⏱ 4 minutes = massive impact 🤝 Community drives the magic 🚀 Experience > product in today’s sales environment👉 CTA: Want better growth and smarter decisions? Start thinking experience-first. Subscribe for more real-time insights.Watch ON YOUTUBE!!! Thank you for Listening! Join us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter! Host Jessie Ott's Profile on LinkedIn

March 20, 20261 hr 4 min

Don't Launch Your Beverage Brand Without Listening to This!

Send us Fan MailLaunching a beverage brand in 2026? 🍹 Learn the do’s & don’ts, data, analytics, sales strategy, and real-time insights from industry experts. Build smarter, grow faster 🚀 @ThirstyThursdaysat3PMEST 📊 Engaging Summary This panel breaks down the real answer behind launching a beverage brand today—and why most fail before they ever see growth.🔥 Key Takeaways:📉 Data over ego: Build for the market, not yourself📊 Velocity wins: Sales per account beats distribution count🧠 Know your “why” or your brand dies early🌍 Start small, scale smart (1 market → proof → expand)💰 Cash burn kills brands faster than competition🧪 Test, learn, adjust in real time🤝 Community + relationships = real growth⚠️ Legal + compliance mistakes = expensive setbacks👉 This isn’t theory. It’s real-world analytics + execution.Watch ON YOUTUBE!!! Thank you for Listening! Join us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter! Host Jessie Ott's Profile on LinkedIn

March 5, 20261 hr 32 min

How A Whole Foods Exclusive Led So Many To Fall IN LOVE with Issei Mochi Gummies! Mika Shino of Issei Mochi Gummies

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Thirsty Thursdays Podcast, I talked with Mika Shino, founder of Issei Mochi Gummies, to discuss her incredible journey from Kyoto, Japan to building one of the most innovative better-for-you snack brands in the U.S. 👏🍷 🎇 🎉 ✨ 👏 🥂 😁Mika shares how her background in jazz, opera, technology, and international work with the UN shaped her creative approach to entrepreneurship. With no formal experience in the food industry, she set out to create a healthier candy option after feeling uneasy about giving her children traditional gummy candies filled with artificial ingredients and gelatin.What started as homemade treats for her two boys quickly became a neighborhood favorite as their friends began asking for them too. From that small kitchen experiment, the idea was born—and the brand grew from there. Issei Mochi Gummies—a unique, rice-based gummy made from simple ingredients like rice and water, delivering a chewy texture with all-natural flavors. The product is gluten-free, vegan, and intentionally less sweet, offering a cleaner alternative in the candy aisle. She Mika explains the difficult early stages of launching the brand, including the challenge of finding manufacturers willing to work with her clean ingredient requirements. She even hand-managed production for the first order when Whole Foods placed an exclusive launch across 170 stores, requiring over 3,000 pounds of mochi gummies.The conversation explores the cultural meaning behind the brand name Issei, which pays tribute to first-generation Japanese immigrants who bring the best of their heritage to America. Mika also shares how building the company in the U.S. helped open doors to exporting the product back to Japan, where entering the food industry without family connections is extremely difficult.Jessie and Mika also discuss:• The inspiration behind mochi gummies and their clean ingredient philosophy • Lessons from launching in Whole Foods and Sprouts • Her Target launch • Winning Most Innovative New Product at the Sweets & Snacks Expo • Being named #2 Female Founder by Inc Magazine in 2024 • How jazz philosophy influences her leadership and business mindset • Why personal customer engagement is central to her brandMika also offers honest insight into the realities of entrepreneurship—from manufacturing struggles to retail scaling—and shares advice for founders: start before you feel ready and don’t let fear of failure stop you.This episode is a powerful story about culture, innovation, and building a mission-driven brand that brings healthier snacks—and immigrant spirit—to the global stage.Learn more about Issei Mochi Gummies: https://mochigummies.comMedia features: CBS Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJRBx1BN5dM Food Institute Spotlight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIyAypJ-rj4🎧 Listen to more conversations with founders, innovators, and beverage & CPG leaders on Thirsty Thursdays at 3PM EST.Watch ON YOUTUBE!!! Thank you for Listening! Join us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter! Host Jessie Ott's Profile on LinkedIn

February 27, 2026Episode 61 hr 13 min

"Texas Crafted. Globally Demanded." Swift Distillery Texas Single Malt Master Distiller Amanda Swift

Send us Fan MailThis week 📢I talk🎙️with Amanda Swift Co-Founder at Swift Distillery that produces a Texas based Single Malt with Scottish Two-Row barley and yeast! 👏🍷 🎇 🎉 ✨ 👏 🥂 😁 🎬 Watch on YouTube Here 👉🍿 Texas single malt, women in whiskey, bourbon barrels & Sauternes finish 🥃 Amanda Swift shares distilling, aging in Texas heat & UK Amazon launch. Craft spirits story @ThirstyThursdaysat3PMEST🔥 Engaging SummaryAmanda Swift, Co-Owner of Swift Distillery in Austin, Texas, joins me to talk science, single malt, Texas aging, and building a craft spirits brand from the ground up 🥃From studying fire ants 🐜 to crafting award-winning whiskey, Amanda shares what makes Texas distilling different — and why bold decisions build great brands.💡 Key Takeaways:✅ Why Texas heat accelerates whiskey aging ✅ The difference between Sauternes & Oloroso cask finishes ✅ Why grain & yeast choices define your flavor profile ✅ The truth about bourbon barrels vs French oak ✅ Why alcohol sales are harder in the U.S. than the UK ✅ How Amazon UK changes craft spirits strategy ✅ The power of women leadership in whiskeyThis episode blends science, entrepreneurship, flavor, and fearless growth.🥃 Try Swift Distillery & taste the difference 🌍 Explore Texas single malt on Amazon UK 🎙 Subscribe for more founder stories in food & beverage 💬 Comment: Are you team Oloroso or Sauternes finish? 👍 Like, share & support independent craft distillersWatch ON YOUTUBE!!! Thank you for Listening! Join us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter! Host Jessie Ott's Profile on LinkedIn

February 22, 2026Episode 51 hr 2 min

Guest Pete Olander - THC Drinks Explained 🍒 Hemp vs CBD vs Delta-9 | Inside the $1B Cannabis Beverage Boom 🚀

Send us Fan MailThis week 📢I talk🎙️with Pete Olander Founder at Drink Happie, and we discuss the differences in Delta 8-10, the timing of why Cannibis was changed from Sechedule 1 to 3 Classification by Trump so research can be done and the odd timing of the FM 4121 Banning Cannibis in various formats in the goverment opening last November! 👏🍷 🎇 🎉 ✨ 👏 🥂 😁THC drinks, CBD vs Delta-9, hemp regulation, functional mushroom beverages & cannabis laws explained 🍄🍒 Inside the $1B hemp beverage boom! Watch Here on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nbPK6S-S7II🔥 Engaging SummaryIn this episode of Thirsty Thursdays, Jessie Ott sits down with Pete Olander, founder of Drink Happy, to break down the fast-growing world of THC beverages, CBD drinks, hemp regulation, and functional mushroom wellness.From Delta-9 vs Delta-8 confusion to Schedule 3 cannabis shifts and the future of hemp drinks in grocery and liquor stores — this is the real talk the beverage industry needs. 🍹🌿They also taste test THC microdose drinks and mushroom-infused beverages (Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Reishi) and discuss why low-dose THC could disrupt alcohol.🚀 Key Takeaways✅ Delta-9 is naturally occurring — Delta-8 & Delta-10 are synthetic✅ THC beverages are tested multiple times before reaching consumers✅ Hemp drinks are a billion-dollar category in 2025✅ Functional mushrooms are exploding in wellness retail✅ Schedule 3 cannabis could unlock more medical research✅ Beverage regulation may follow the alcohol model✅ Microdose THC = controlled experience vs dispensary high-dose products✅ AI & real-time sales data are helping emerging beverage brands scaleThis episode blends entrepreneurship, wellness, beverage innovation, and policy insight into one powerful conversation.We cover:• Hemp beverage compliance & testing standards• Cannabis beverage distribution models• Functional mushrooms like Lion’s Mane & Reishi• Real-time Amazon beverage sales data• The billion-dollar hemp drink marketIf you’re in food & beverage, CPG, wellness, cannabis retail, or alcohol distribution — this conversation is essential. 🚀Watch ON YOUTUBE!!! Thank you for Listening! Join us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter! Host Jessie Ott's Profile on LinkedIn

February 5, 2026Episode 41 hr 2 min

How RTD Brands Really Scale 🍺 Data, Ops & Sales with Rob Minucci at TalkHouse Encore

Send us Fan MailThis week 📢I talk🎙️with Rob Minucci CEO & Co-Founder at TalkHouse Encore and we discuss how he has used his experience in operations to build out a CRM and win Accounts and Distributors! 👏🍷 🎇 🎉 ✨ 👏 🥂 😁How do RTD brands actually scale? 🍺 Rob Minucci, CEO of TalkHouse Encore, breaks down data, operations, CRM, distributors & real-world sales strategy for CPG growth. @ThirstyThursdaysat3PMEST “Everything I’ve built is based around systems, processes, and procedures that are repeatable—with as little human intervention as possible.” Rob MinucciWatch Here! https://youtu.be/AeZl7vXfigoMost RTD brands chase hype.TalkHouse Encore built systems.In this episode, Jessie Ott sits down with Rob Minucci, CEO & Co-Founder of TalkHouse Encore, to break down how operations, data, and distributor trust drive real growth in CPG and beverage.🔥 Key Takeaways: • Why beer distributors outperform spirits distributors for RTDs • How CRM + real-time data create sales accountability • Building velocity before chasing expansion • Why on-premise still matters (40% of sales!) • How systems beat guesswork every time • Using tastings + analytics to drive reordersThis is a masterclass in execution over noise.How Rob’s Team Actually Differentiates (and Why It Works)Most RTD brands compete on flavors, packaging, or hype. Rob and the TalkHouse Encore team compete on execution.That difference shows up in a few very specific ways.They build systems before scale While many brands rush distribution, Rob’s team focused early on operational processes that remove friction. Sales, inventory, distributor activity, and account follow-ups are tracked in real time. Less guessing. More control.They designed a CRM for beverage reality Instead of forcing reps to live in bloated software, they built a CRM that works the way beverage teams actually work:Simple inputsShelf photosAccount scoringInventory flagsRoute efficiencyIt’s not “data for reporting.” It’s data that drives action in the field.They treat distributors like partners, not order takers Rob’s team doesn’t just hand off the brand and hope for the best. They create clarity for distributors by:Showing exactly where velocity is workingIdentifying underperforming accounts earlyMaking it easier for reps to winThat builds trust — and trust gets priority.They use focus as a competitive advantage Instead of chasing national presence, they went deep in hard markets. Fewer states. Better execution. Higher velocity. They win on-premise to pull through off-premise With roughly 40% of sales on-premise, TalkHouse uses bars and restaurants as marketing engines. Sampling, education, and activation create demand that shows up later in retail They remove ego from pricing and product decisions Pricing wasn’t set to “fit the shelf.” It was set to reflect quality, margin, and sustainability. The mixed vodka + tequila variety pack wasn’t trendy — it was intentional differentiation that helped open doors fast.👉 CTA: Share this with a founder who needs systems, not hypeWatch ON YOUTUBE!!! Thank you for Listening! Join us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter! Host Jessie Ott's Profile on LinkedIn

February 1, 2026Episode 345 min

🚨 Hemp Ban in 2026 Jeanne Sullivan Explains 🌿

Send us Fan MailThis week 📢I talk🎙️with Jeanne M. Sullivan and we discuss the THC/CBD potential ban in 2026! 👏🍷 🎇 🎉 ✨ 👏 🥂 😁👀📹 Watch here: 👉👉 [https://youtu.be/1MSPWwJeCwA]🚀✨🍹What’s really going on with the hemp beverage ban? 💥 Investor Jeanne Sullivan breaks it all down—laws, money, loopholes, and the path forward. 🚫🌿 @ThirstyThursdaysat3PMEST 🧠 Summary and Takeaways:What started with a loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill could end with a billion-dollar industry being banned in 2026. Jeanne Sullivan, veteran investor and cannabis industry expert, walks us through:🌿 The origin of legal hemp beverages🧃 The explosion of CBD/THC drinks in retail🚫 The proposed 2026 ban slipped into HR 4121💰 The economic impact on Total Wine, BevMo, and beyond🧠 Why regulators don’t understand the category📉 The alcohol industry’s evolving stance🇪🇺 Why Europe is welcoming cannabis while the U.S. restricts it💥 The consumer backlash that could turn the tide🎯 CTA: Watch, share, and speak out. Contact your representative and help save the hemp beverage category before it disappears.I downloaded H.R. 4141 and had Chat GPT summarize it and here's the output told me: "This bill does not explicitly ban CBD or THC drinks — but it gives FDA the power to effectively eliminate hemp-derived THC beverages unless strict limits, age gates, and retail controls are adopted." Well, who's in charge of that? How do we make that happen? We need to be very vocal about this bill!!Watch ON YOUTUBE!!! Thank you for Listening! Join us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter! Host Jessie Ott's Profile on LinkedIn

January 15, 20261 hr 2 min

Special Edition Round Table Discussion 2025 Review and 2026 Outlook

Send us Fan MailThis week 📢I talk🎙️with Kate Jerkens at Uncle Nearest and Caitlyn LuBell at BoozeBiz and we discuss the beverage industry in 2025 and 2026. 👏🍷 🎇 🎉 ✨ 👏 🥂 😁👀📹 Watch here: 👉👉 [PASTE HERE]🚀✨🍹2025 was a reset year for beverage 🍷🍺🍹 RTDs surged, NA grew, costs spiked & hiring shifted. We break down data, trends, distributor chaos & what’s coming in 2026. 👀 👉 @ThirstyThursdaysat3PMEST2025 shook the beverage industry to its core 🍸📉. From RTD dominance and NA growth, to California distributor chaos, premium pricing pressure, and talent market stress, this episode breaks it all down—no fluff, just real talk.Key Takeaways 🔑📉 Growth slowed—but didn’t stop🍹 RTDs are winning on convenience & price🚫 NA still struggles with sugar + shelf life🏬 Distribution strategy > national expansion🧠 Storytelling + velocity matter more than ever💼 Hiring is tighter, salaries pressured🔄 2025 = reset | 2026 = change + growth🎯 Why this matters: If you’re building, selling, hiring, or distributing in beverage—this episode helps you see the chessboard, not just the pieces.Describe 2025 and 2026 in One WordJessie Ott2025:“My word was to level up on the "experience” of enjoying a cocktail.2026:"My word is "hopeful". I’m hoping that this is the new foundation of what’s to come.”Caitlyn LuBell2025:“My word for 2025 was "evolution.”2026:“My word for 2026 is "growth"… we can only go up from here.”Kate Jerkens2025:“I think "reset" was a great word. I still think reset is applicable.”2026:“Mine is "change"… something’s got to change and I believe it will.”⏱️ Chapter Descriptions0:00 Welcome + Why 2025 Was a Reset1:02 Meet the Guests (BoozeBiz & Uncle Nearest)2:30 Who Really Holds the Money? Generational Wealth5:22 Economic Signals: Growth, Inflation & LEIs7:18 Premiumization & Consumer Behavior9:40 Inventory Digestion & Distributor Reality11:30 California Distribution Chaos Explained15:42 Smaller Distributors vs Big Houses18:00 Pricing Wars & National Market Impact21:44 Military, Multi-Outlet & Channel Performance22:26 RTDs, NA Mixers & Brand Winners25:30 The Real Cost of $30 Cocktails29:00 Why RTDs Win on Convenience & Cost33:55 Hiring Challenges & Salary Compression41:10 Tastings, Education & Velocity45:15 Why 2025 Was a Reset Year50:07 Unemployment & Workforce Mismatch56:20 Words for 2026: Growth, Change, Hope59:00 Final Thoughts + What Comes NextWatch ON YOUTUBE!!! Thank you for Listening! Join us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter! Host Jessie Ott's Profile on LinkedIn