In this episode, we hear from Kim McKinnish SVP and COO of the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) to talk about the future of beer.

Kim shares insights on the current state of the industry, the power of advocacy, and key NBWA initiatives including the BREW Initiative, the Next Generation of Leaders Group, and the Beer First Campaign.

Our conversation explores how leadership, relationships, and culture drive stronger businesses — and what distributors can do right now to build a healthier, more sustainable beer industry.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• An insider’s perspective on the current state of the beer industry and the biggest challenges and opportunities ahead
• What the BREW Initiative (Building Relationships & Empowering Women) is and how it’s helping develop talent across the industry
• Why empowering women and building inclusive cultures leads to stronger leadership teams and better business results
• The purpose behind NBWA’s Next Generation of Leaders Group and how it’s preparing future industry leaders
• The leadership skills and mindset shifts the next wave of beer professionals need to succeed
• An overview of the Beer Growth Initiative and NBWA’s Beer First Campaign
• Practical ways distributors and breweries can put the Beer First mindset into action in sales, marketing, and operations
• Kim’s outlook on where the beer industry is headed over the next 3–5 years
• Actionable takeaways for building better teams, better partnerships, and a stronger beer business

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Today, I’m joined by Julie Rhodes, co-founder of Kick Beverages and industry consultant with Not Your Hobby Marketing Solutions.

Julie and her team are making waves with Kick Fizz, a hemp-derived beverage that’s redefining how consumers think about social and functional drinks.

In this conversation, we dig into:

• The inspiration behind Kick Fizz and how Julie identified an opening for a hemp-derived beverage in today’s evolving market.
• How Kick Beverages positions itself in the space between beer and cannabis—and what that means for brand identity, compliance, and distribution.
• The science and art behind flavor formulation and dosage, and how Kick Fizz balances taste, experience, and safety.
• The unique challenges of consumer education in a category that’s still new to many drinkers.
• And finally, where Julie sees the future of THC beverages heading in the next few years—from retail placement to mainstream adoption.

It’s a fascinating look at innovation, regulation, and the business of bringing a completely new beverage category to market.

Want to learn more? Connect with Julie@KickBeverages.com.

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Financial results shouldn’t live only in the accounting office, they belong to every department.

In this podcast, I'll share how beer wholesalers can build a culture of financial accountability by giving managers the tools, training, and systems to understand and own their numbers.

You’ll learn how to provide financial literacy education, involve department leaders in high-involvement planning, and run regular financial huddles that turn data into action.

The result: smarter decisions, stronger engagement, and better bottom-line performance across your entire operation.

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