Beverage Chronicles, May 27, 2026

Beverage Chronicles, May 27, 2026

Title: Schlitz, Session IPAs and Starbucks Summer Strategy Schlitz beer rose from Milwaukee brewing roots to become the world’s top-selling lager before collapsing in the 1970s after cost-cutting changes damaged quality and consumer trust. Founders All Day IPA helped redefine the “session IPA” category by offering full hop character with lower alcohol, making craft beer more approachable and widely drinkable. Starbucks’ new summer lineup uses colorful, layered drinks and experiential marketing to create premium, Instagram-ready beverages aimed at making customers feel the experience is worth the price.

Beverage Chronicles, May 20, 2026

Guinness Cocktails, Gin Trends, and the Rise of Finland’s Long Drink Guinness is finding new life as a cocktail ingredient in drinks like the Espresso Stout Martini, Black Velvet, and Top Hat. We highlight gin cocktails, including the lighter and refreshing Gin Sonic. Beverage Chronicles visits Atlantic City to explore Finland’s famous Long Drink and its growing popularity in the United States.

Beverage Chronicles, May 13, 2026

Title: Beer Names, Wild Fermentation, and the Strangest Lager Yet Breweries are simplifying beer style names to attract casual drinkers while trying to avoid losing the identity and uniqueness that built craft beer culture. Beer historian Rachel Benkowski explores the history and cultural importance of Belgian lambic, a spontaneously fermented beer deeply tied to place, patience, and tradition. A new study compared health outcomes among beer, wine, and spirits drinkers, while Columbia Sportswear grabbed headlines with a bizarre “bear scat infused” promotional beer.

Beverage Chronicles, May 6, 2026

Smuggling Nun: Reviving Ireland's Bootleg Poitin Legacy Poitin, Ireland's ancient unaged barley spirit, was illegally bootlegged for 300+ years until 1997, predating whiskey and inspiring global moonshine culture. Maura Clare learned a secretive 20th-century recipe with molasses and beet sugar from a retired bootlegger, blending whiskey warmth, tequila aroma, gin complexity, and rum sweetness at 45% ABV. Named after her nun cousin who smuggled it in a holy water bottle, the Gothic-arch bottle ships to 40 states via smugglingnun.com, perfect for cocktails like Celtic sours or neat sips.

Beverage Chronicles, April 29, 2026

Title: Why You Might Not Actually Hate IPAs Episode Description: Many IPA critics just haven’t found the right style—flavors vary widely and bad storage can ruin the experience. Modern IPAs are more balanced and approachable than the overly bitter versions of the past. Freshness, proper storage, and open-minded tasting can completely change your perception of the style. Here is the primary reasoning regarding the questioning about DAI: Over the next few weeks and months, there may be a restructuring of the show distribution process. It is complex, but we may be coupling with a company that will handle all distribution. Additionally, over the next few months, the hierarchy of the show may change somewhat. I'll keep you advised. The new distributor (should this occur) wants detailed information about what we are doing, where episodes are sent, etc.