Park Street Insider Podcast

Park Street Companies

The Park Street Insider Podcast is a spirit industry-focused podcast dedicated to bringing you closer to the key brands, topics, and trends driving the drinks business. We host the spirits category's most influential leaders and entrepreneurs to uncover the business strategies, stories, and brand-building tips behind some of the biggest brands in the industry.  Whether you're interested in Agave spirits, whiskey, read-to-drink, low & no, or any other category, our hosts will bring you closer to the heart of what's happening in each. In each episode, hosts Emmett Strack and Andres Correa speak to spirits industry thought leaders to discuss the moves that shaped their careers, how they built some of the brands we all know and love, and some of the tools they can’t live without. They'll also zero in on the hottest subjects taking hold of beverage alcohol, keeping listeners up to date on the trends shaping spirits. Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1

  1. 6D AGO

    2025 Spirits Industry Review: Top M&A, Stories & Trends

    Send us a text In 2025, the beverage alcohol sector saw significant evolution across its regulatory, distribution, and investment landscapes. In this comprehensive Year in Review, Park Street Insider hosts Emmett Strack and Andres Correa sit down to analyze the year’s defining moments through three key lenses: top industry news, emerging market trends, and major M&A activity. In this episode, we review the headlines that mattered most, including the implications of RNDC's exit from California, the shifting tariff environment, and notable CEO turnover among major suppliers. We also examine broader structural changes, from the complexities of the THC bill to the increasing migration of suppliers toward beer distributors, and break down the year's investment climate, highlighted by AB InBev’s acquisition of Beatbox. We’ll explore the practical takeaways from these developments and discuss how they set the stage for the industry in 2026. Mentioned in this episode: Navigating Beverage Alcohol Tariffs: Short-Term Tactics & Long-Term Strategies How Nosotros Tequila & Mezcal Navigated the RNDC CA Disruption and Returned to Growth Beverage Alcohol Tariffs in 2025: Latest Developments & Industry Response Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1 Learn More About Park Street Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter. Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter. Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market Follow us for more industry insights on LinkedIn FacebookTwitterInstagram

    51 min
  2. NOV 26

    Cocktail Culture for Alcohol Brands: History, Trends, and On-Premise Strategy— Expert Talks

    Send us a text The spirits industry has fundamentally changed. While brands once viewed bars as non-negotiable, many of today's most successful brands have achieved success through a targeted approach at retail and e-commerce. Yet the on-premise isn't just surviving, it's evolving into a channel where brands need to be more strategic than ever. On this episode of the Park Street Insider Podcast, we explore why understanding cocktail culture remains essential for achieving brand success. With on-premise sales up 4% year-over-year and venue counts rising as we enter the peak holiday season, the bar world continues to serve as the critical channel ground where consumer trends are born, not just observed. Charlotte Voisey, Executive Director at Tales of the Cocktail and former Global Head of Ambassadors at William Grant & Sons, reveals how the most significant shifts in cocktail culture took root and why direct dialogue with bartenders delivers strategic intelligence that shapes smarter brand decisions. Then Overproof's Chief Analytics Officer Ed Dobbles breaks down exactly what's winning in the 2025 on-premise: which cocktails dominate menus, what flavors consumers crave, and why emerging brands have a unique advantage right now. Featured Guests: Charlotte Voisey, Executive Director, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation Ed Dobbles, Chief Analytics Officer, Overproof Mentioned in this episode: William Grant & Sons Overproof Watch on YouTube:  The Evolution of Cocktail Trends in the Last 25 Years Cocktail Trends: How Bar Menus are Changing Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1 Learn More About Park Street Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter. Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter. Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market Follow us for more industry insights on LinkedIn FacebookTwitterInstagram

    22 min
  3. NOV 12

    Glendalough Distillery Co-Founder Kevin Keenan— What it Takes

    Send us a text Kevin Keenan, co-founder of Glendalough Distillery, has played a pivotal role in introducing authentic Irish craft spirits to American consumers at a critical juncture in the category's evolution. Glendalough distinguished itself as a trailblazer, helping to expand the category beyond traditional players and introducing American drinkers to a new generation of innovative Irish distillers before its sale to the Mark Anthony Group in 2019. On this episode of the Park Street Insider Podcast, Kevin Keenan sits down with Andres Correa to share the story behind Glendalough's rise and its role in shaping the modern Irish whiskey landscape in America. Discover how Keenan and his team built a distinctive brand rooted in Irish heritage and wild botanicals, navigated the complexities of breaking into the competitive U.S. spirits market, and carved out a unique position in the fastest-growing Irish whiskey category. Keenan shares his best brand-building advice, from crafting an authentic brand identity that resonates with consumers to forming strategic distribution partnerships that drive sustainable growth. Whether you're an emerging brand founder or an industry veteran, this conversation offers invaluable insights into what it takes to build a spirits brand with lasting impact. Featured Guests: Kevin Keenan, Co-founder, Glendalough Distillery Mentioned in this episode: Glendalough Distillery Cobblestone Brands Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1 Learn More About Park Street Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter. Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter. Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market Follow us for more industry insights on LinkedIn FacebookTwitterInstagram

    46 min
  4. OCT 15

    Beverage Alcohol Distribution 101: What Today's Brands Need to Know

    Send us a text In 2025, navigating beverage distribution has become one of the most critical challenges facing drinks entrepreneurs. From the end of Prohibition to today's consolidated three-tier system, the distribution landscape has fundamentally shaped which brands scale and which stall — yet many suppliers still don't fully understand how the second tier actually works or where it's headed next. In this special collaboration episode, Park Street Insider host Emmett Strack teams up with Business of Drinks co-hosts Erica Duecy and Scott Rosenbaum to decode the distribution tier for beverage alcohol brands. Together, we break down the past, present, and future of distribution in the U.S. — explaining the nuts and bolts of the three-tier system, revealing the different distributor types and partnership models available to suppliers, and identifying the key dynamics that will define the next decade of the industry. We'll explore what brands need to know to successfully navigate this complex landscape and share the strategies that separate those who break through from those who get left behind.  Featured Guests:  Erica Duecy, Founder and Co-host, Business of Drinks Scott Rosenbaum, Co-host, Business of Drinks Mentioned in this episode: The Business of Drinks Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1 Learn More About Park Street Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter. Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter. Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market Follow us for more industry insights on LinkedIn FacebookTwitterInstagram

    47 min
  5. OCT 1

    What RTD Market Growth Tells Us About Gen Z Values & Drinking Habits

    Send us a text The RTD category has already experienced massive momentum, yet there's still significant room for growth as new brands and products continue entering the market. Gen Z is driving much of this expansion—but what does their enthusiasm for RTDs reveal about this generation's values, purchasing habits, and consumption behaviors?  On this episode of the Park Street Insider Podcast, host Emmett Strack sits down with Ruby Honerkamp and Rob Minucci, Co-Founders of Talkhouse Encore, a spirits-based canned seltzer rooted in the legacy of Stephen Talkhouse, the iconic Long Island music venue. What started as a way to extend a family's 50-year entertainment legacy during the pandemic has evolved into a brand achieving over 101% year-over-year sales growth—without the massive marketing budgets of their larger competitors. Honerkamp and Minucci share exclusive findings from their Gen Z research, revealing unexpected insights about how this generation discovers, purchases, and consumes alcohol. They also break down how brands can leverage alternative distribution strategies to achieve sustainable growth.  Featured Guests: Ruby Honerkamp, Co-Founder, Talkhouse Encore Robert Minucci, Co-Founder, Talkhouse Encore Mentioned in this episode: Talkhouse Encore Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1 Learn More About Park Street Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter. Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter. Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market Follow us for more industry insights on LinkedIn FacebookTwitterInstagram

    42 min
  6. SEP 17

    The Original Pickle Shot Co-Founder John King— What it Takes

    Send us a text Back in 2018, when The Original Pickle Shot co-founder John King first launched his brand, pickle-flavored spirits were only just emerging. Fast-forward six years, and what started as a niche experiment has exploded into a booming category—with King's brand leading the charge. The Original Pickle Shot has not only survived the influx of competitors but thrived, earning recognition on Impact Databank's prestigious Hot Prospects list. On this episode of the Park Street Insider Podcast, John King sits down with Andres Correa to reveal the blueprint behind his remarkable success. Discover how King built a high-growth spirits brand from scratch without a single investor, pioneered an entirely new category, and stayed ahead as the market became increasingly crowded. King shares his strategies for protecting intellectual property in a competitive landscape, leveraging influencer marketing to capture Gen Z's attention, and what it really takes to build a modern spirits brand in today's market. Featured Guests: John King, Co-Founder & President, The Original Pickle Shot Mentioned in this episode: The Original Pickle Shot Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1 Learn More About Park Street Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter. Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter. Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market Follow us for more industry insights on LinkedIn FacebookTwitterInstagram

    51 min
  7. AUG 27

    Inside the Tequila Category with Fortaleza: Additive Free Tequila, Tariffs & Truck Heists

    Send us a text The tequila industry faces mounting regulatory and legal challenges with Mexico's Consejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT) restricting additive-free marketing claims while high-profile lawsuits are questioning major brands' "100% agave" labeling practices. These developments are reshaping how producers operate in an increasingly transparency-focused market. The Park Street Insider Podcast welcomes back Billy Erickson, sales and marketing manager at Tequila Fortaleza and member of the brand's founding family, to examine these industry dynamics from a craft producer's perspective. Fortaleza, a premium family-owned brand with strong bartender loyalty and on-premise presence, offers unique insights into navigating regulatory restrictions while maintaining traditional production methods. From CRT policy conflicts and class action litigation to tariff impacts and premiumization trends, we explore how these converging forces are affecting both established brands and craft producers. The conversation also covers some unexpected operational challenges—including literal product theft—that highlight the unique realities facing today's tequila industry. Whether you're tracking regulatory developments, assessing transparency trends, or understanding market shifts, this episode provides critical insights into the tequila category's evolving landscape. Featured Guests: Billy Erickson, Sales & Marketing Manager, Tequila Fortaleza Mentioned in this episode: Tequila Fortaleza Consejo Regulador del Tequila Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1 Learn More About Park Street Sign up for our Daily Industry Newsletter. Sign Up for our Monthly Newsletter. Check out Park Street's Guide to Getting Started in the U.S. Market Follow us for more industry insights on LinkedIn FacebookTwitterInstagram

    52 min
4.9
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

The Park Street Insider Podcast is a spirit industry-focused podcast dedicated to bringing you closer to the key brands, topics, and trends driving the drinks business. We host the spirits category's most influential leaders and entrepreneurs to uncover the business strategies, stories, and brand-building tips behind some of the biggest brands in the industry.  Whether you're interested in Agave spirits, whiskey, read-to-drink, low & no, or any other category, our hosts will bring you closer to the heart of what's happening in each. In each episode, hosts Emmett Strack and Andres Correa speak to spirits industry thought leaders to discuss the moves that shaped their careers, how they built some of the brands we all know and love, and some of the tools they can’t live without. They'll also zero in on the hottest subjects taking hold of beverage alcohol, keeping listeners up to date on the trends shaping spirits. Want to stay in the know about new episodes from the podcast? Fill out the form below: https://share.hsforms.com/1MEb-81x2TXi3f15qO_yEpA4tip1

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