Troy Keenan

The Premier Event For Whiskey Investing March 20-21, 2025 Louisville, KY Whiskey has transformed from a niche collectible to a mainstream alternative asset, attracting a diverse range of investors seeking portfolio diversification. Unlike traditional investments, whiskey barrels offer tangible value and have consistently appreciated over time. The increasing availability of whiskey investment products simplifies the process of adding whiskey to portfolios, providing a hedge against market volatility. Advances in transparency and security, such as blockchain technology, ensure the authenticity and accurate tracking of cask holdings. As the investment landscape evolves, whiskey emerges as a compelling option for those seeking diversification, cultural significance, and potential growth. https://caskfest.com/

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At Whiskey House of Kentucky, our complete and total focus is on our customers. We aren’t distracted by building our own brands or running a public hospitality program. Whether real or perceived, a conflict of interest exists when a contract manufacturer owns its own brands. How do we know? Because we created and ran a facility that struggled with that challenge on a regular basis. This time around, we’re doing it differently. We’ve removed all friction points between us and our customers. With no brands of our own and a campus closed to the public, Whiskey House is hyper-focused on providing the highest quality custom whiskey production, innovative liquid design, exceptional customer service, and the most competitive pricing for our exclusive branded customers. The manufacturing design, capabilities, and technological infrastructure of Whiskey House is unlike anything in the American Whiskey industry. Creating a customer centric culture isn’t easy. It starts by developing the core principles of the business. It takes time, focus, and dedication. Many start-up businesses lose sight of this in an effort to simply get up and running. Luckily, we aren’t just any start-up. We know how important it is to focus on building culture from inception. At the end of the day, a distillery is nothing more than metal and fancy equipment; it’s the people who produce great whiskey and service for our partners. That’s why, as a team, we wrote our Mission, Vision, and Values together. These principles form the core of who we are and how we operate. It’s our pleasure to share them with you: Mission  Through innovation and collaboration, we create exceptional customized American whiskey that builds sustained brand recognition for our exclusive partners.   Vision  Recognized as the global leader in transforming the contract American whiskey industry.   Values  Integrity: We consistently do what’s right, even when it’s not easy. Communication: We listen and share honestly and transparently so all are informed and valued. Partner Focus: We understand the needs of our partners and ensure everything we do adds value. Innovation: We embrace curiosity and creative risk taking to continuously deliver advanced solutions. Learn more about us at: https://lnkd.in/e5k8Jq8X

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The chicken segment is one of the most dynamic and competitive among the large restaurant chains in the U.S. And while Chick-fil-A continues to dominate and Popeyes is taking over the 2nd in the rank, there has been significant movement in the rank among other mid-size leading chains over the last ten years. It goes to show that in the restaurant industry, you can never rest. Leaders are waking up to the realization that if they’re not growing fast they’re dying slowly.  Outgrowing and outsmarting your competitors requires using the power of long-term thinking. #restaurants #chicken #strategy #leadership

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🤔 Naked Brand unveils Lower Sugar Smoothies. Innovative formula leverages citrus fibers to reduce sugar. The new Naked Lower Sugar Smoothies offer 50% lower sugar in an array of vibrant flavors including Berrylicious, Glorious Greens and Tropical Sunrise, the company says. Made with real fruit, the smoothies also include a blend of natural, upcycled citrus fibers to deliver a sweet taste, and the added benefit of 9 grams of fiber, including 6 grams of prebiotic fiber in each bottle to support digestive health. 😎 DM me if you're ready to start your D9 or 🍄 Mushroom Shots or Beveages. 🍄 #beveragebook #beveragemagazine #beveragenews #bev #drink #drinks #beverageformulation #drinkbusiness #beverageindustry #beveragenews #beveragebiz #newbusiness #startup #cpg #fmcg #retail #merchandising #wholesaler #wholesale #distributor #distribution #wholesaler #wholesale #wholesalemba

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To put a finer point on Fox News' observations: 1) NA beer has come a long way, and tastes a great deal more like traditional beer now than it did as recently as ten or twelve years ago, but the growth of the NA market will depend on continued innovation and investment in R&D. 2) Women are trendsetters, and their early support of the new wave of craft NA beers almost certainly augers an as-yet-unrealized growth in demand among men as well. 3) Young people are the future, and the craft brewing community should take note of what their spending habits tell us. Just as the first wave of growth in the craft beer market was driven by an earlier generation's demand for hoppier, more flavorful beer with a higher ABV than what was then being produced by the "big three", this generation of craft beer drinkers is looking for low-alcohol or non-alcoholic versions of the many flavors and styles of beer not available in mass-produced NA form. 4) Athletic is the only craft brewery on Fox's list, and the only one producing an IPA. This speaks to the massive growth potential of the craft segment of the NA market, even as the rest of the craft beer industry stagnates. 5) It's time for craft NA brewers to seize the day!

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The essence of what we’re missing…. We’re daily embroiled in conversations about engagement with consumers and how to inspire others to seek out wine (as opposed to flavored high-preservative alcoholic spritzers). I don’t believe we need to go further than this. Simple, passionate, dedicated, excellent, emotionally driven, and wonderfully articulated. We’ve filled our shelves with mediocrity…but we ask for excellence. We’ve demanded purity but settle for unregulated category winemaking. We thirst for beauty in brand artistry yet promote generic design. Contrasting what the human soul strives for with what the wine industry continues to feed the consumer, in my humble opinion, is exactly the reason for lukewarm responses to wine. Filling our shelves with poor examples is EXACTLY what is robbing the consumer of the experience in wine we all wish they might come to know…. ….but they won’t until….. ….we get back to this. #branddevelopment #winemakerslife #wine #wineandspirits #californiawine Malvika Patel Cameron Roblee Alexandra Fondren Priscilla Hennekam

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Introducing BeerMyBrand.com: The World’s First Fully Automated BaaS (Beer as a Service) Platform! 🚀🍻 Buying branded beer is often a hassle, bogged down by unnecessary questions like what style of beer you prefer or your favorite hops. This is a shame because branded beer is a fantastic tool to elevate your brand both externally to customers and partners, as well as internally to your employees. Today, we are launching BeerMyBrand.com, where you can buy branded beer almost as easily as choosing a Netflix movie and pressing play (depending on how picky you are with your movies!). Here’s how it works: 1. Visit our site and decide how many beers you'd like to order. 2. We provide all the information for creating the labels. 3. You click order. We then route the order to the nearest brewery to package and label the beer, ready for delivery or pick-up. We are currently onboarding the first breweries to the platform and will share updates about service availability across different parts of Finland. After a couple of months of ramp-up, we plan to expand to Denmark, followed shortly by the UK. If you're in these countries and plan to order branded beer this autumn, feel free to shoot me a message, and I'll keep you posted. I’m super happy to start this journey with Sami Soiluva as my co-founder. Sami is a brilliant tech builder who has founded successful companies like Skipperi and Tracklution. Cheers to branding with beer! 🍻

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Please enjoy "Crafting Complexity: How Add-ins & Mixers Shape Beverages Trends." Welcome to an episode of Future Bites: Exploring Tomorrow's Trends. This 5-minute episode highlights a trend from The NRA conference. See more content on Culinary Tides, Inc.'s YouTube Channel and follow Culinary Tides, Inc. for more insights #CulinaryTides #foodtrends #NRA #beveragetrends

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Exciting news from Craveworthy Brands As many of you know, I love to hint at our next big moves. Some might question this approach, but I believe it’s crucial to show my commitment to pushing our team and our dreams to new heights. Our latest acquisition is a game-changer, bringing Taim and Hot Chicken Takeover into our family! This strategic move will supercharge growth for our beloved Soom Soom and The Budlong Southern Chicken providing them an extraordinary platform to thrive. Additionally, it accelerates the expansion for Sigri Indian BBQ, offering immediate opportunities for two to three new locations. We’re also setting the stage to launch Costeño Rojo, testing a few locations to refine our concept further. But it’s not just about growth—it’s about people. We’re thrilled to collaborate with the fantastic teams at Taim and Hot Chicken Takeover. Their passion and innovation are exactly what we need to reach new heights. I’m excited to see what we can achieve together with this incredible talent. Stay tuned. We’re just getting started! #CraveworthyBrands #BusinessGrowth #Acquisition #FoodIndustry #Leadership #Innovation #RestaurantBusiness #Teamwork #Entrepreneurship #BrandExpansion

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16 sentences of wisdom from bond trader turned restaurateur, Sean Feeney, that will make you a better person, friend, and leader. 1. The most important ingredient is the one that’s left out. 2. The greatest gift is courage. Give someone the courage to be themselves. 3. Success is doing something every day for the rest of your life, happy to do it. 4. Everyone has genius inside them. 5. Truly showing belief in others will buy them a ticket to someplace they never knew. 6. Hospitality is creativity plus compassion. 7. “That’s just the way it is,” tells you there’s money to be made. 8. It is tempting to have something for everyone but there is preciousness in not filling demand. 9. Create a brand that people chase, don’t chase people with your brand. 10. Make others feel a part of something. 11. You are one of us, whether you work with us or you're dining with us. 12. Treating others well is good for business. 13. Finish the day, asking, “How did I impact someone in a positive way?” 14. Know what works and be honest with what doesn't and don't do that. 15. Block out all the noise and keep it simple. 16. Believe every day is a good day. But don’t think it’ll be easy.

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Yesterday marked National Craft Distillery Day, providing a pause moment to reflect on our incredible journey. Over the past decade, the craft distilling industry has experienced remarkable growth, and yet, I've witnessed firsthand how the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) can haunt entrepreneurs. In this industry, "going all in" holds a unique meaning for each of us. At Durham Distillery | Conniption Gin, it meant a bold commitment to one category: gin. We placed our bet on American gin. It holds immense potential, but it's not without its challenges. We are tasked with reintroducing it as a leading white spirit in this country and educating consumers that gin is naturally flavored vodka. Those unpleasant college memories of harsh London Dry gins? Total anomalies. Our mission is to ensure people understand that with the right gin, magic happens. Starting a craft gin distillery is not for the faint-hearted. FOMO is always present – it seems like everyone else has more resources, more people, more $$$$. We've seen other American gins backed by celebrities, but that’s not our path. We chose to be the rebels, to carve our own path, and to believe in Conniption Gin and our incredible team, from brand champions to our distributor partners. It's all about passion and perseverance – knowing that small steps can lead to giant leaps. Embracing the FOMO has been part of our story. While it can be a powerful motivator, pushing us to innovate and stay ahead, it also reminds us of the unique path we've chosen. Instead of chasing trends or celebrity endorsements, we've focused on what makes Conniption Gin special – our dedication to quality and our connection with our customers. The real joy comes from our gin lovers. Meeting customers who enjoy our gin, gift it to friends, or share their cocktail recipes with us is truly fulfilling and reminds me why we embarked on this adventure. Each positive interaction makes this marathon worthwhile. There are no shortcuts, and while I sometimes wish I could sprint to the finish line where Conniption Gin is the beloved American gin of choice, I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything. Well, maybe I’d trade one thing. Hey, Ryan Reynolds, you didn’t choose the right (best) American gin. 😉 Cheers to my colleagues on National Craft Distillery Day! Here’s to believing in our passion, pushing forward, and embracing the FOMO. #AmericanGin #Gin #ConniptionGin #FOMO #Entrepreneurship #Resilience #CraftDistilling #Spirits

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Interesting discussion. How to share, approach and discuss Whiskey and Tea. What is cost vs value or worth. The secondary market and counterfeiting. Check it out! https://lnkd.in/gHX-3CFE

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Stay in tune with your customers using insights from WINE MARKET COUNCIL. Our extensive research on U.S. wine consumer buying habits, attitudes, and trends helps wineries understand what their customers truly want and need. By becoming a member, you gain access to valuable data that can guide your business decisions and ensure your offerings resonate with your audience. Join Wine Market Council today and stay connected to the pulse of the wine market. Colangelo & Partners

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You may order sauce on the side but it's still the main attraction. 🎡 Don't take it from me! Peep this Nation's Restaurant News article highlighting the QSR sauce BOOM 💥 → According to Innova Market Insights, 39% of consumers are most likely to try new flavors through sauces, seasonings + toppings. → Technomic, Inc. reports that 34% of consumers consider what sauces are available before deciding on a place to eat. → And Datassential shows that more than half of consumers have purchased a new sauce or condiment from a restaurant in the past 3 months. In a foodservice climate starving for new traffic, sauce-centric LTOs featuring new + exciting flavors on familiar menu items (e.g. 🍗 + 🍟 + 🍔 + 🌮) can be your most operationally friendly + craveworthy solution. Something I know for sure: There is one midwesterner who will *always* drive through for a new ranch flavor extension. 🙋‍♀️ -- What's your go-to, gotta-have-it, will-go-out-of-your-way-for-it sauce? 👀👇

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In the restaurant business, lost sales opportunities don't show up on reports. But everyone knows they exist. How? Because we've all passed on ordering another drink, dessert, or coffee because the wait was too long. This happens all the time. Why? Because your server is stuck putting out fires or waiting in line instead of being at your table. We all know that the revenue windows in restaurants are very limited. That's why every second counts in foodservice. Your staff can't sell when they're short on time. Our equipment saves those critical seconds for your FOH staff, which gives them more face time with their guests. More face-time means more time to: ✅ Manage the guest experience ✅ Sell loyalty card memberships ✅ Capture more sales Let us show you how we can help you increase your sales with the automatic processes we've created for your FOH staff. See us at booth 9734 at the National Restaurant Association show this weekend! #bars #restaurants #cocktails #guestexperience

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Craft beer consumption patterns are changing, and the latest Brewers Association Harris Poll 2024 highlights a critical shift: more craft beer drinkers are cutting back on their consumption. Despite the overall increase in craft beer enthusiasts, regular monthly and weekly consumption rates are declining. This trend signals the need for craft breweries to reevaluate their strategies and seek new pathways for growth. Craft beer drinkers are increasingly exploring a variety of beverage options, from imports and domestic beers to hard ciders and RTD cocktails. This omnibibulous behavior presents both a challenge and an opportunity for craft breweries. Diversifying your product offerings and aligning them with evolving consumer tastes is essential for thriving in this competitive landscape. Exploring Non-Alcoholic Options One clear indicator from this trend is the value of exploring an impactful Non-Alcoholic (NA) brand line for your brewery. NA options appeal to health-conscious consumers and those seeking to moderate their alcohol intake while still enjoying the craft beer experience. Flavor Innovation Younger consumers aged 21-34 often avoid craft beer due to flavor preferences. Innovating and developing flavors that resonate with this demographic can help attract new consumers and expand your market share. New flavors provide additional opportunities in both current and new segments. Strategic Adaptation in a Competitive Market Despite the stalling growth in craft beer, the market isn't shrinking; it's evolving. Increasing competition from other beverage categories means craft breweries need to adapt their strategies to maintain relevance and drive growth. This involves innovating products, enhancing marketing efforts, and understanding consumer behavior. Take inspiration from successful strategies like Schilling Cider approach. Their move into the hard lemonade segment shows how diversifying into new categories can lead to significant growth. By finding impactful brand lines in new categories, your brewery can capture new market segments and drive substantial growth. Adapting to the evolving market is crucial for growth and sustainable success. Diversifying product lines, innovating with new flavors, and strategically responding to consumer behavior shifts are key steps to staying ahead in the competitive craft beer industry. Embrace these changes to drive significant growth and ensure long-term success for your brand. Ready to discuss how to implement these strategies in your brewery? Let's connect and explore the opportunities together. #BeverageIndustry #CraftBeer #BrandStrategy #SalesGrowth #FlavorInnovation

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🍷 Elevate Your Brand Experience with a Custom Branded Napa Wine Club from WhiteLabelWineClub.com! Are you ready to deepen customer engagement and elevate your brand? Launching a branded wine club with WhiteLabelWineClub.com could be your next big move! 🥂 Here’s why this makes perfect sense for brands with large customer bases: 1. Build Community and Loyalty: Our wine club creates an exclusive community vibe, fostering deep brand loyalty. 2. Boost Brand Visibility: Keep your brand in the limelight with customized wine selections and branded experiences. 3. Data-Driven Personalization: Leverage your extensive customer database to offer personalized experiences that truly resonate. 4. Diversify Revenue: Introduce a sustainable, new revenue stream that complements your core business. 5. Cultural Alignment: Connect your brand with the sophistication and joy associated with wine. We handle all the complexities—licensing, merchant processing, compliance, logistics—enabling you to focus on what you do best: engaging your customers. 📈 Numerous brands across different sectors have significantly enhanced their customer lifetime value through similar initiatives. Interested in how this could work for you? Visit us at WhiteLabelWineClub.com to learn more, or drop a message below to connect! #BrandExperience #CustomerEngagement #WineClub #BusinessInnovation #BrandLoyalty

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