Thirsty Thursdays @3PM EST

Jessie Ott

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

  1. Christa Cotton, CEO of El Guapo👏🍷 🎇 🎉 ✨ 👏 🥂  😁

    1 DAY AGO

    Christa Cotton, CEO of El Guapo👏🍷 🎇 🎉 ✨ 👏 🥂 😁

    Send us a text 📢I talk🎙️with Christa Cotton, CEO of El Guapo👏🍷 🎇 🎉 ✨ 👏 🥂  😁   When Costco canceled her order at the start of COVID, El Guapo CEO Krista Cotton was ready to close shop. Instead, she pivoted online — and sold out in weeks.  Now her New Orleans brand is in 3,000 stores and won Tory Burch & James Beard awards. Here’s how she turned crisis into cocktail success 🍸✨  From near bankruptcy to 882% growth 💥 Krista Cotton of El Guapo Bitters shares her journey from Georgia to New Orleans, mentorship, resilience & building a cocktail empire 🌿🥃 @ThirstyThursdaysat3PMEST Engaging Summary + Key Takeaways: In this Thirsty Thursdays episode, host Jessie Ott sits down with Krista Cotton, CEO of El Guapo Bitters, to explore her journey from small-town Georgia roots to leading one of America’s most respected non-alcoholic cocktail brands. 🍸 Key Takeaways: 🚀 Pivoted to 92% DTC sales during COVID → 882% growth in weeks🏆 Earned the Tory Burch Foundation Founders Award & James Beard Fellowship🌿 Built El Guapo on sourcing transparency, sustainability & bar inclusivity💪 Mentorship & community power her journey from distillery to global distribution💫 Launched canned NA bitters & sodas — now in 3,000 stores across 8 countries🎧 Watch for inspiration on resilience, brand building & beverage innovation! Call-to-Action: 👉 If you love stories of bold entrepreneurs reshaping the beverage industry, hit 👍 and subscribe to @ThirstyThursdaysat3PMEST. 💬 Which part of Krista’s story resonated most with you? NOW ON YOUTUBE!!! Thank you for Listening! Join us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter! Host Jessie Ott's Profile on LinkedIn

    1h 14m
  2. 🎙️ From Dropout to 9-Figure CPG Empire | Mike Fata on Building, Selling & Giving Back

    9 OCT

    🎙️ From Dropout to 9-Figure CPG Empire | Mike Fata on Building, Selling & Giving Back

    Send us a text  📢I talk🎙️with Mike Fata, CPG Exit, Author of Grow and Investor and Mentor for many companies and individuals 👏🍷 🎇 🎉 ✨ 👏 🥂  😁  Watch the Full Episode Here Professional Speaker, Best Selling Author, Founder and CEO, Chairman of the Board, Investor, Advisor, Ambassador, Host and Producer  Mike Fata went from a 10th grade dropout weighing 300 lbs to building and selling three CPG companies for NINE FIGURES. 🤯 On this episode of Thirsty Thursdays, Mike shares his incredible entrepreneurial journey, how he founded Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods, and the mindset that turned adversity into abundance. 💥 Topics Covered: Losing 100 lbs and turning it into a businessBuilding the global leader in hemp foods 🌱Selling to private equity + exiting big 💰Mentorship, peer networks (YPO), and mass mentorship resources 📚The real grind of building a CPG brand—no shortcuts hereWhy he's all-in on helping the next generation of founders through FataFleishman.org, 60 Second Pitch, and more 🎯 🔗 Resources Mentioned: → Free mentorship tools: https://fatafleishman.org → Mike’s book "Grow": https://mikefata.ca → Mike on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mikefata🙌 Follow  ⁨@ThirstyThursdaysat3PMEST⁩   for more inspiring interviews from founders, makers, and brand builders! #entrepreneurship #cpgfounders #hemp #mentorship #thirstythursdays #mikefata #manitobaharvest #founderstory #cpgsuccess #growbook #jakekarls #60secondpitchEmbark on a transformative  NOW ON YOUTUBE!!! Thank you for Listening! Join us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter! Host Jessie Ott's Profile on LinkedIn

    37 min
  3. 🔬 Reinventing Wine: Richard Schatzberger on Sobriety, Technology, and Flavor-First Innovation

    3 OCT

    🔬 Reinventing Wine: Richard Schatzberger on Sobriety, Technology, and Flavor-First Innovation

    Send us a text Precision ethanol reduction, low-alcohol wine, tech-driven beverage innovation, and AI insights collide in this epic chat with Altr CEO Richard Schatzberger! 🍷💡🔥  ⁨@ThirstyThursdaysat3PMEST⁩  🍷 Can wine still be wine without the ethanol? That’s the question Richard Schatzberger, CEO & Founder of Altr, set out to answer — and the answer just might flip the $1.7T global alcohol industry on its head. In this week’s episode of Thirsty Thursdays @3PM EST, I sat down with Richard to explore: 🚀 His incredible journey from building Motorola’s first camera phone to co-founding Siri and Viv (acquired by Apple and Samsung) 🍇 His personal path to sobriety and the realization that alcohol-free doesn’t mean experience-free 🧪 How Altr’s membrane technology differs radically from traditional ethanol reduction like spinning cone and reverse osmosis 🧠 The human-centered, flavor-first mindset behind "The Velvet Blade" tech 🛠️ Why Altr's first customers are winemakers — and how the tech is designed to retain terroir, mouthfeel, and aroma 💡 How a dream (yes, literally) became a global beverage startup backed by Beam Suntory and FTW Ventures 💬 "We're not here to kill ethanol," Richard explains, "we’re here to give people choice. Whether you want 14%, 4%, or 0% — it should still taste like wine." 🎯 Key Takeaways: Altr’s tech is already outperforming other low-alc products on taste with early testers preferring Altr-processed wines over originals Consumer behavior is changing fast — “zebra striping” and sober social rituals are rising, but the quality gap remains Tech isn’t the enemy of craft — It’s a tool to preserve it 🔗 Learn more or join their beta program at: altrfilter.com 🧠 If you’re a heritage-forward winemaker or innovative brand looking for the next chapter in premium beverage — this episode is for you. 👉 Follow me for more beverage innovation, brand spotlights, and industry disruption from farm to shelf. #ThirstyThursdays #BeverageTech #WineInnovation #LowAlcohol #SoberCurious #MembraneTech #BeverageFounders #FutureOfWine Mentors Dag Kittlaus Ken Grossman, the founder of Sierra Nevada. Brian Frank,fantastic lead investor FTW Ventures NOW ON YOUTUBE!!! Thank you for Listening! Join us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter! Host Jessie Ott's Profile on LinkedIn

    1h 37m
  4. 🇺🇸 From JAG Corps to Craft Spirits: The Founders Bringing Tech to Your Taste Buds!

    29 SEPT

    🇺🇸 From JAG Corps to Craft Spirits: The Founders Bringing Tech to Your Taste Buds!

    Send us a text From JAG to Gin – How One Veteran Couple is Disrupting Spirits Discovery 🕒 By Jessie Ott | Thirsty Thursdays @3PM EST 🎙️ Featuring: Mike & Dolly Waskiewicz, Co-Founders of The Bar Book What if your next favorite spirit wasn’t sitting on a shelf—but in your pocket? That’s the question Mike and Dolly Waskiewicz set out to answer when they created The Bar Book, a revolutionary app that matches people with spirits based on taste, not brand. These two aren't your typical startup founders—they’re U.S. Army veterans with decades of service, including careers in JAG, global deployments, and legal leadership. Their pivot from the courtroom to the cocktail world is not only inspiring—it’s solving a real market problem. 💡 Why The Bar Book Matters For consumers, choosing a spirit often means guessing based on a label, a friend’s recommendation, or blind luck. For brands, especially small or veteran-owned producers, getting discovered is an uphill battle. The Bar Book bridges that gap—think “Dating App for Spirits” meets WSET-certified palate intelligence. It helps you: Discover new brands by flavor profileSave and track your favoritesExplore cocktails and where to find themConnect with bars and bartenders in real-timeGive smaller brands visibility based on taste, not budget🔍 What Makes It Different? Mike and Dolly are building The Bar Book as a family-run, veteran-powered venture, with real user needs in mind. It’s not about algorithms from Silicon Valley—it’s about the real flavor experience. And in 2025, they’re opening up the platform to onboard brands, bars, and industry partners. The goal? To democratize discovery and create a community-first platform for the spirits world. 🥃 A Few Takeaways from the Episode: ✅ How their military mindset helps them lead with clarity and kindness  ✅ Why flavor tech is the future of beverage discovery  ✅ Their favorite spirits, bars, and cocktail must-haves  ✅ Why data matters—but people matter more  ✅ And how they’re helping veterans & craft distillers shine 🌟 🎧 Listen to the full episode here: [Thirsty Thursdays YouTube Playlist] 🔗 Explore The Bar Book: https://www.thebarbook.com 📲 Free for consumers. Brand onboarding opens 2025. NOW ON YOUTUBE!!! Thank you for Listening! Join us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter! Host Jessie Ott's Profile on LinkedIn

    45 min
  5. 🚀 From Merch to Market: How Debbie Wildrick Built Fiji, Vitamin Water & a $4B 7‑Eleven Beverage Empire! 💧👩‍💼

    23 SEPT

    🚀 From Merch to Market: How Debbie Wildrick Built Fiji, Vitamin Water & a $4B 7‑Eleven Beverage Empire! 💧👩‍💼

    Send us a text 📢I talk🎙️with Debbie Wildrick, Founder of Debbie Wildrick👏🍷 🎇 🎉 ✨ 👏 🥂  😁  Watch the Premiere Here @ 3PM EST May 22! In this Thirsty Thursdays episode, host Jessie Ott sits down with the legendary Debbie Wildrick—Founder of Debbie Wildrick Consulting and the “Queen of Beverages.” 🌟 Debbie takes us through her incredible journey from merchandising grocery aisles in Texas to leading the $4B beverage business at 7-Eleven, helping launch iconic brands like Vitamin Water, Honest Tea, and Fiji. 💧🔥 We discuss: How to scale brands in the modern retail world 🏪The startup hustle: launching FRS with Lance Armstrong 🚴‍♂️Her “10 Pillars of a Successful Company” program for founders 📈The power of mentorship and sponsorship 🙌Why today’s brands need differentiation and distribution to win 💡If you’re in the CPG, food & bev, or startup world—this one’s a must-listen. 🎙️ 🖱️ Connect with Debbie: https://www.debbiewildrick.com 📄 Download her free resource on market opportunity: https://free.debbiewildrick.com 👇 Drop your questions in the comments & don't forget to subscribe for more Thirsty Thursdays! 📢 Hashtags: #BeverageIndustry #StartupLife #WomenInBusiness #ConsumerGoods #BrandBuilding #RetailStrategy #CPGFounders #ThirstyThursdaysPodcast #DebbieWildrick #MentorshipMatters 🔑 Tags: Debbie Wildrick, Jessie Ott, Thirsty Thursdays, Beverage Consultant, 7-Eleven Executive, CPG Strategy, Functional Beverages, Fiji Water, Vitamin Water, Honest Tea, Startup Growth, FRS, Mentorship, Women in Beverage, Brand Launch NOW ON YOUTUBE!!! Thank you for Listening! Join us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter! Host Jessie Ott's Profile on LinkedIn

    1h 2m
  6. 🚨 Thirsty Thursdays Q2 Industry Roundtable: From Non-Alc Growth to THC Beverages & Distribution Shifts Q2 Review 🚨

    4 SEPT

    🚨 Thirsty Thursdays Q2 Industry Roundtable: From Non-Alc Growth to THC Beverages & Distribution Shifts Q2 Review 🚨

    Send us a text RTDs, THC drinks, NA growth, Gen Z’s return to alcohol, and the RNDC→Reyes CA shakeup—what’s next for 2025? Insights from Uncle Nearest, Booze Biz & Business of Drinks 🎙️  ⁨@ThirstyThursdaysat3PMEST⁩   Watch here on YouTube!  https://youtu.be/NJwLcZqJ9Cs This quarter’s Thirsty Thursdays roundtable brings Kate Jerkens (Uncle Nearest), Caitlyn LuBell (Booze Biz), and Erica Duecy (Business of Drinks) to decode what’s really moving the beverage market in 2025. 🔍 What we cover Macro pressure vs. “non-essential” spend: Rising student/auto debt and delinquencies are squeezing discretionary purchases—especially for younger consumers.  Gen Z is drinking again: New IWSR Bevtrac data shows Gen Z alcohol participation rebounding toward other cohorts.  NA momentum (esp. beer): No-alcohol leads no/low with ~+7% volume CAGR through 2028; NA beer is surging globally.  THC beverages 101: Rapid retail growth (hemp-derived and dispensary channels), dosage strategy (2–5mg “sessionable” vs. 10mg “value”), and the Farm Bill/regulatory watch.  Distribution shakeup: RNDC exits California; Reyes and mid-tier distributors step in—opening doors for some brands and bottlenecking others.  Functionality as table stakes: Hydration, adaptogens, gut-health cues, and mood-positioning (“calm/energy/focus”) now drive trial—especially in NA/THC. 💡 Takeaways Follow the consumer, not the category: RTDs, NA, and THC are winning because they fit occasions (casual, at-home, brunch, “zebra striping”). Plan for compliance volatility: THC bevs = opportunity + regulatory risk. Track state rules and the Farm Bill timeline.  Rethink route-to-market: Mid-sized distributors can give brands real focus post-RNDC, but onboarding capacity is tight.  winebusiness.com CTAs: • 👍 Like if you value real-talk data. • 💬 Comment: Where’s your 2025 bet—RTDs, NA, or THC? • 🔔 Subscribe for quarterly roundtables and weekly briefs. • 🔗 Share with your sales/marketing team. Subscribe for data-driven beverage insights every Thursday @3pm ET, drop a comment with your 2025 category bet, and share this with a colleague who needs the update. NOW ON YOUTUBE!!! Thank you for Listening! Join us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter! Host Jessie Ott's Profile on LinkedIn

    55 min
  7. Washington Syrah GOATs 🍷 Talk Terroir, Clone Wars & Winemaking Secrets!  Thirsty Thursdays Part 2🎙️

    15 AUG

    Washington Syrah GOATs 🍷 Talk Terroir, Clone Wars & Winemaking Secrets! Thirsty Thursdays Part 2🎙️

    Send us a text 🍇 Meet Washington Syrah winemaking legends as they debate terroir, clone selection, barrel vs. stave aging & NA wines! Winemaker gold right here 🎯  ⁨@ThirstyThursdaysat3PMEST⁩   #Syrah #winetalk  🎙️✨ In this epic winemaker roundtable, Jessie Ott sits down with Washington Syrah royalty including David Rodriguez, Trey Busch, Caleb Foster, Bob Betz, and Dichotomy Wines. 🍷 The crew covers: 🔬 Clone selection & vineyard elevation tricks 🪵 Barrel aging vs. staves — winemaker hot takes! 🌍 Terroir & the soul of Syrah 🚫 Why NA wine still "misses the point" 🍇 Whole cluster fermentation & stem inclusion 🎧 Vinyl labels & vineyard storytelling 🔥 Top Takeaways: The Rocks District Syrah is instantly recognizable 🪨 Clone and site matter more than most drinkers realize 📍 Winemakers are NOT sold on non-alcoholic wine 😬 Rootstock vs. own-rooted vines: a passionate debate 🌱 💬 "If you're using staves in stainless, you're just adding flavor—not transformation." This episode is a must-watch for wine lovers, sommeliers, and industry insiders. 🎯 🍷 This is the Washington Syrah conversation you didn’t know you needed! Jessie Ott of @ThirstyThursdaysat3PMEST hosts a powerful LIVE roundtable with some of the GOATs of West Coast winemaking—David Rodriguez, Trey Busch, Bob Betz, Caleb Foster & Jarred & Rosie Signer-Jenner. From clone selection and vineyard elevation to stave vs. barrel aging, and even the impact of rootstock and whole-cluster fermentation, this is winemaking geekery at its finest! 🤓💥 Plus: brutal honesty on non-alcoholic wines 😬, the secrets behind The Rocks District 🍇, and why Washington Syrah needs its own Sideways moment. Whether you're a sommelier, wine nerd, or casual drinker—this episode delivers 🔥 insight, laughs, and storytelling gold. 🎙️🍷 Welcome to Thursday Thursdays at 3 p.m. Eastern Standard Time hosted by Jessie Ott where she talks about **beverage innovation**. She interviews pioneers from **agriculture** to glass and invites listeners to subscribe for new episodes. This podcast is all about the **drink** industry and explores subjects from **farming** to the finished product. Make sure to subscribe for more! #thirsty #thirstythursdays #fnbinnovation #WashingtonSyrah #SyrahInWashington #Winemaking2025 #WinePodcast #SyrahSecrets #TerroirExplained #AVADeepDive #WinemakerWisdom #WholeCluster #BarrelVsStave #PhelpsClone #OldVineSyrah #NextGenWinemakers #WineInnovation #WashingtonWine #WallaWallaSyrah #RattlesnakeHills #SnipesMountain #SyrahStory #WineAndClimate #GenZWine #WineEducation #PodcastWine #WineTrends #WineYouTube #WineTech #FoodAndBeverage #AVATales #WineInsights #SyrahRoundtable #Vinification #WineFuture #CraftWinemaking #ModernWine #WineDebate #WineryLife #WineCommunity #WineCulture #SyrahLovers #WineGeeks #WineMarketing #BeverageInnovation #GenZMarketing #WineCollaboration #LiquidOnTheLips NOW ON YOUTUBE!!! Thank you for Listening! Join us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter! Host Jessie Ott's Profile on LinkedIn

    47 min

About

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

You Might Also Like