Weekly Review 11.10.24
A look back at what came across my radar in the world of food, drinks and hospitality in the past week.
Hey everybody!
It’s been a roller coaster of a week, and there is a lot of interesting stuff going on in the world of beverages, so let’s get into it…
Trouble Brewing for the Craft Beer Industry?
Sorry, I couldn’t resist that heading title. I should say right at the outset here that I’m not super political, and I don’t drink a lot of beer these days. All that said, apparently there was an election a few days ago, and the outcome might not be that great for the craft beer industry in the US. This article from Forbes Magazine details some of the issues that could impact brewers should Mr. Trump continue and/or enact new tariffs. Increasing prices in raw materials and cuts to regulatory agencies could spell trouble for an industry that has already seen declines in sales over the past couple of years. WXXI from Rochester, NY has a great interview with some of the players in the NY Craft Beer scene that also gets into these topics.
More Concern Over Tariffs
Turns out the Craft Beer industry is not the only player in the hospitality sector that is concerned about the potential impact of tariffs. The spirits industry on both sides of the Atlantic has raised their collective eyebrows. As with the craft beer industry, it remains to be seen what effect, if any, future tariffs might have on the spirits industry, but this article from The Spirits Business nicely outlines some of those concerns.
Let’s Have a Drink in New York!
November 18 - 24, 2024 will mark the first annual New York Bartender Week! Cool thing about this is, it’s not just a New York City event, bars across New York will participating You can check out a list of currently participating bars here. Billed by Imbibe Magazine as “a weeklong event for bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts”, New York Bartender Week will “celebrate bartenders and spotlight the state’s bars as cocktail destinations.”. During the event, bars across the state will be devising cocktails using spirits and other ingredients made or grown in New York to shine a spotlight on all the great beverage related products that state produces. One question I have: where are the Rochester bars? As of the date of this writing, no bars from Rochester are on the list of participating joints. Come on, Ra-cha-cha, represent!
The Holidays Are Upon Us!
Looking for a gift for someone this holiday season? Thinking about a bottle of wine, perhaps? Maybe you’re having a hard time making a choice? No worries - I got your back. Food & Wine magazine has published a list of sommelier-recommended wines that are reasonably priced and that make great gifts, including a wine from right here in the Finger Lakes. Find the link here.
Exploring a New City
As I’ve mentioned a couple times this week I spent a few days in Charlotte, NC. While my dad lived here for a while in the mid-1990s, I haven’t been back for many years and I was excited to check out some new places and some new drinks. Stay tuned for some descriptions of what I found, including an unusual riff on the Old Fashioned.
That’s what I have for this week. Thanks for taking a minute to read this, and I’ll see you again next week!