Brewbound Live Pitch Slam Winner Announcement

Speaker 1 [00:23] This is the moment that everyone's been waiting for, a very exciting moment. The announcement of the winner of the Brewbound Live pitch slam. Uh, in addition to three of our judges from yesterday, Ryan, unfortunately had to head out early. We do have the incredible Zoey Locata and Jess Infante, and I think Justin Kendall, who's not here, would agree that they are by far the best in the business. Zoey and Jess, incredible job. I love you. Really, really great event. Uh, before we get to the debrief, we're just gonna talk to the judges and Zoey and Jess, uh, a little bit about the competition, but I want everyone to know, since you all have an amazing time here in the last two days, that great news. There's gonna be an event next year right here in Marina del Rey. We're, as you can see, we have Bevnet Live in New York City coming up in 2026, and then next December, we have Nash. Bevnet and Brewbound, Brewbound on December 9th and 10th. And even better news, registration's already open, so you guys can already buy your tickets. So, please do so. Mike, Mike, our, uh, CMO here. There you go. There you go. All right. Uh, as always, a really fun, exciting, uh, competition that is showcasing the breadth of innovation and, uh, just inspiration that we're seeing in this industry. Um, on a surface level, I, I just feel like There were a lot of positives that we saw from this competition. Zoey, you know, when you were sitting here, what were some of your takeaways?

Speaker 2 [01:48] I really enjoyed that folks weren't just talking about the product they were talking about how they were connecting with consumers in the spaces they exist. It was like a through line through all of them of yes we have a great product, but also we're finding ways whether it's partnerships or showing up at sporting events or other ways they can find their specific community for that product it it gives you so much more that you could do it. That and so it it was really impressive to see them all make that connection.

Speaker 1 [02:17] Yeah, Jess positive through lines that you saw from all the presentations.

Speaker 3 [02:20] What I thought was really amazing is that we, you know, it was noted in conversations and remarks by judges and and probably by you too, right? But it really was a total beverage conversation and yet nobody, we weren't saying like, look at all these different things. It's just like, hey, this is the state of, of beverages today and we. have something for everything. And it was just normal.

Speaker 1 [02:43] Something for everyone for sure. And I think something that a lot of consumers are going to want to see in those beer fridges, in those coolers. Uh, Don, you know, I, we, we talked a lot about some of the things that these brands did right, and I'd love to hear from the judges, those things, those positive takeaways, but also some of the things that these brands need to look out for the pitfalls, the challenges that they're going to be facing in this next year and beyond.

Speaker 4 [03:05] Yeah, uh, go deep and don't go wide. I mean, I, I think that we've heard that throughout the last couple of days is, is make sure that you identify exactly who you are, uh, making your products for and go as deep as you possibly can in one geographic area with one great distributor partner and then when you chains or others come calling for you, that's your time to make your next move. But, you know, the idea of trying to get out there too fast, you get separated from, you know, the consumer that you're trying to reach and you should. Always be concentrating on where you start and make sure you build that ethos and that base so it sustains you when you make that next move for

Speaker 1 [03:40] sure, right?

Speaker 5 [03:42] Um, well, first of all, I'll say I know from being on stage last year it's not easy to be up here. So for everyone who presented, I think you all did a phenomenal job. It's like I remember working on my presentation like 4 a.m. the day of. Uh, type vibe and, uh, yeah, it's, it's not easy, so hats off to everyone, um, it's, it's, you know, a testament to how you're standing for your brands. Um, I think. Just generally as, as everyone, um, thinks about the future of their brands, at least in the last year of, of running, uh, my own brand, I think like simplicity always wins, um, whether it's packaging or skew sets, um, or just thinking about simple sales infrastructure that will. Solve problems of execution, um, and I think if you are kind of finding yourself, uh, having very complex answers, it's probably worth just like hitting the reset button and, and trying to find something a little bit simpler. So, uh, maybe that's broad, but I think it can be applied to, uh, many different problems that you'll face over the next, uh, few years.

Speaker 1 [04:53] Samantha.

Speaker 6 [04:54] Yes, absolutely, um, agreed on all fronts. So I think it was, it was amazing seeing all of the different categories and again, not just, it wasn't anything that we had to bring attention to because it is now the obvious. This is what the state of adult beverages and all of the, the different categories of flavor, non-alk, etc. that is now the expectation which I think is phenomenal to see. The advice that I would give um all brands, those who presented and just really in general is that know exactly who you are and who you aren't. So I was approached by so many brands while I was here. The networking was absolutely phenomenal. Shout out to everybody who pitched their products in line for lunch, who pitched their line. Uh, someone in an Uber actually pitched me a product as well. So, um, but I was more willing to give that time if you know exactly who you are. If Samantha, this is my product, this is where I am, this is. My distributor, I wanna be in this state only or XYZ, and it is the true elevator pitch, Uber pitch if you will, so know exactly what you are, what you're not, be able to answer quickly and concisely as a retailer, I want to know exactly what your strategy is. You should not be coming to me saying, Samantha, here's your whole line. You tell me what you want and we'll just do whatever you want. No, that needs to be your strategy, and I think that the brands today, um, that presented did a. Did a great job of, of knowing exactly what category where they expected to be placed on shelves.

Speaker 1 [06:20] Well, I think we might have a new idea for a sponsor for the next year's event, Mike, U for Uber pitches. There you go. Mike. It's OK. All right. Uh, as everyone on the panel and Zoe and just noted, it was really, really amazing to see all the founders on stage. Just another round of applause for all 8 founder, brands and the founders. Thank you. But there is a winner and we're going to announce that winner right now. I just want to note that, uh, that winner is invited to come up on stage, take some photos with the trophy, with the judges, with everyone up here, and then we're gonna wrap the show. I All right. All right. Ikatsu Brewing is the winner. Congratulations. Very well done. Congratulations. Let me give you the trophy. There you go, and Olympics. There you go. Well, well done. You're welcome.

Speaker 2 [07:45] Congrats. Congrats. Yeah.

Speaker 1 [07:48] All right, let's get a quick photo with the judges. Wait, oh, why not.

Speaker 2 [08:03] Excellent. Thank you so much. Congrats.

Speaker 4 [08:05] All right, I'm out. I gotta make it to the airport. I love you. I love you. All right, I love you. Go to the airport.

Speaker 1 [08:11] exit the stage and let's, uh, Jess and Zoey.

Speaker 4 [08:14] I love you. All right, we're apparently bye beautiful. I'm gonna run. See you.

Speaker 2 [08:18] All right. All right. That's a wrap. Alright, buddy,

Speaker 3 [08:21] thank you so much for coming. I know it was a little, uh, not, you know, we did it, we did it, um, we'll see you guys next year in 2026 December 9th and 10th right back here in Marina del Rey.

Speaker 2 [08:33] Safe travels, everybody. Thanks.