December 2023

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As if BTS wasn’t enough for us to get obsessed with Korean pop culture – Netflix had to bring in Squid Game, and we have to admit, we are still very much engrossed. After 9 episodes of thrilling adventures that made us gasp, cry, and laugh at the same time – we can definitely agree that the Squid Game craze isn’t going anywhere.

Let’s be honest, we’ve all thought about how we would play the game, and if we would survive or not. We like to think we would….maybe. 

With the weekend almost here and our love for the Korean drama here to stay, we decided, why not make a game out of it? You’ve already probably played the many ‘which Squid Game character are you?’ games online (we have). But how about one that helps you decide what to drink this weekend?

It’s pretty simple: pick your favorite character, and wait for the cocktail gods to tell you what to drink. We know what we’re ordering at the bar this weekend. 

Pick a Squid Game Character and we’ll tell you what to drink this weekend

Header Image: via Netflix

The theme of the 7th Edition of USA Trade Tasting 2023 is ‘Making Chicago America’s Top Drinks Business Meeting Destination.’ Chicago is well-known for the food and beverage choices it offers and will notably contribute in shaping the alcohol space in the B2B segment in the coming years. USATT’s 7th edition in 2023 will bring together its previous editions and experiences with the primary purpose of elevating and reconnecting Chicago’s drinks industry.

USATT aims to boost Chicago and its suburbs, Midwestern United States’ local and small suppliers (80%) along with giving international exhibitors a taste of the city (20%) and generating business by getting all three tiers of the industry together under one roof.

USATT is an international show organized by Beverage Trade Network for the last 6 years, and in 2023 it will go deeper into Chicago’s drinks scene, integrating the three tiers of the industry into one event with a fundamental focus on Chicago. Located in Chicago’s West Loop, Morgan Manufacturing, the venue for USATT 2023, is best known for its soaring ceilings, exposed concrete, glass, and steel constituting its  industrial elegance.

Morgan Manufacturing offers over 32,000 square feet of world-class space. Housed in a renovated historic building and designed with a focus on modularity, it’s an exceptional choice for live events and conferences, making it a perfect space for USATT 2023.

Who will you meet?

At USATT 2023, 40-50% of the brands will be USA-based. Chicago based exhibiting companies will be in the spotlight, followed by exhibitors from Illinois and other Midwestern states with whom bartenders and sommeliers may work with readily. 

The exhibition floor will be shaped around products that buyers are seeking; spirits brands, RTD’s, products from local breweries, distilleries and wineries, USA-based brands. The rest of the exhibition floor will consist of international brands looking to grow in the USA market, especially regions that are in demand like Champagne, Burgundy, and large and value driven exhibitors from Chile, Australia, Italy and Argentina.   

The aim is to attract more spirits brands especially brown spirits, and also tequila and mezcal to match the needs of buyers. USATT’s focus is on realigning the demand and supply in the US market. Attention will also be given to RTDs, low alcohol, non-alcoholic and seltzer brands as exhibiting companies.

2023 Conference Agenda and Outline

The two-day event in October 2023 will focus on TED-style actionable sessions that will include 26 speakers. There will be 8 keynote sessions of 30 minutes each, and 4 panels of 60 minutes each. The conference will shine the spotlight on importers, distributors, retailers and restaurateurs.

Top USA and Chicago professionals and buyers will be helping you improve your import, distribution, retail and restaurant business. Q&A will follow right after, where you will be able to ask questions. 

Conferences will start at 11am on both days and the expo floor will open at 1pm on both days. Attendees of the conference will also be able to have lunch and access to the VIP after event party.

For the last 6 years, the drinks industry has turned to Beverage Trade Netork’s USA Trade Tasting event and conference to discover the latest trends and network with the drinks community. Our signature two-day event for the beverage industry brings together thought leaders, trailblazers, and the next generation of brand founders to help beverage industry professionals thrive.

End it with the VIP networking party

Next to business, BTN is best known for the cocktail nights at the end of all our events. These are informal platforms to network with the industry and catch up on trends, patterns, rising personalities and all of it with a drink in hand!

This is the perfect opportunity to convert those connections that were made in the two days of business. With lip-smacking cocktails in the heart of the city and lots of conversations to catch up on, it is this party that is the perfect finisher. Feel free to dress up because our photographer will be there for the paparazzi moments. If you’ve made it to this party, you’ve probably made it to the creme de la creme of Chicago’s and suburbs drinks industry.

Location

Organizer & More Info

Web: https://usatradetasting.com/

The goal of the Sommeliers Choice Awards is simple: to provide on-premise buyers and sommeliers a valuable benchmark for understanding which wines would make a compelling addition to a wine list.

The judging panel of the Sommeliers Choice Awards will consist entirely of top sommeliers, on-premise wine buyers and wine directors at U.S. restaurants, bars, pubs, and clubs. In order to be selected as a judge, sommeliers need to provide evidence of their expertise within the on-premise industry. In some cases, these sommeliers may also be wine consultants for on-premise establishments. They may also have a buying role in addition to working on the restaurant floor.

Medals will be awarded to those wines that meet very specific judging criteria, with a goal of identifying wines that should become additions to restaurant wine lists. Wines will be judged according to criteria such as how well they pair with food items in addition to their overall versatility. Highest marks will be awarded to wines that provide value for money at their respective price points. Judges know the trade prices of each wine as they are judging each flight. The number one question that sommeliers will be attempting to answer as they judge wines is: “Would we stock this?”

Produced and Organized Beverage Trade Network

Beverage Trade Network (BTN) is a global media and B2B networking platform servicing suppliers, buyers and beverage professionals in the global beverage industry. BTN also owns BevRoute, a magazine for Importers and Distributors and runs a lineup of trade shows around the world which includes  USA Trade Tasting in New York,  IBWSS UK  in London,  IBWSS USA  in San Francisco, IBWSS China in Shanghai, ABID Conference in the USA. Beverage Trade Network also owns and runs the London Wine Competition, London Beer Competition, London Spirits Competition, USA Wine Ratings.

Please learn more about Beverage Trade Network here.

Key Dates:

Super Early Bird Ends – October 31, 2023 Warehouse Closes – April 20, 2024 Judging Day – May 13, 2024

Winners Announced – June 10, 2024

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L.A. County beaches and City of L.A. beaches reopened for “active” use, meaning: no biking, no sitting, no sunning, no gathering, no pier access, no boardwalk strolls, and no parking.

Los Angeles County bars, wineries, breweries, and tasting rooms are all cleared to reopen, albeit with a few caveats in place. Among them: the continued practice of physical distancing between seats/tables, servers wearing masks, and lots of sanitizer and regular cleaning practices in place So we’ve compiled a list of those venues you can visit this weekend and Enjoy your beachview in LA with your favorite drink

Hennessey’s tavern-Hermosa beach

If you can navigate the occasional, temporarily Irish bro-down in the downstairs bar, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning beach view from the upstairs patio. Lose an afternoon during the $5 happy hour with jumbo 23oz domestic brews, or brave the 50oz “world’s largest pint,” which comes with a souvenir glass and the strong likelihood of a fully clothed ocean swim.

Hennessey’s tavern-Hermosa beach

The Deck

Formerly The Poopdeck,they have renovated and re-imagined one of Hermosa Beach’s iconic oceanfront bars.They feature Domestic and Premium Beers, a well-curated selection of wines by the glass and bottle, beer and wine cocktails, happy hour Monday – Friday, many flat-screen TVs for your sports viewing pleasure, all capped by the best view of The Strand.

Poopdeck

Watermans

Hawaiian lunch plates, fish tacos, killer views. Watermans has it figured out. Pro tip: Open for To-Go Food and Drinks all weekend.

Watermans

Yard House

With a massive beer menu and super-sexy views of the LB harbor, this actually-pretty-respectable chain offers a rewarding waterside refuge. Order up one of the signature half-yard pours along with an onion ring tower during happy hour, and feel confident that your evening is headed in the right direction. 

Now the yard house is available to go.

the yard house

Club Ripples

Good ol’ Ripples is Long Beach’s most happenin’ gay & lesbian club. It’s also packed to the gills with fun events like Dog Beach Day and Beer Busts, with karaoke and BBQs.

The Hangout Restaurant and beach house

Belly-up to this cozy ,The Hangout bar at this laid-back, panoramic view-offering local favorite, which sits just across from the base of Seal Beach pier. Once you’re appropriately bellied, order the bacon- and shrimp-adorned Bloody Mary.

The Hangout bar

Barefoot Bar at Duke’s-Malibu

Barefoot Bar is with totally Instagramable ocean vistas, delicious hula pies, and a mellow vibe inspired by namesake Duke Kahanamoku (the Hawaiian father of international surfing, naturally), you hardly need another reason to head up the PCH to this kitschy surf stalwart. 

Paradise Cove

This cove of literal paradise is a secret spot off of Malibu, and it’s home to a ton of tanning bodies, relaxing hikers and beach extraordinaires, and water too cold to swim in but the views are spectacular. It’s still one of the only places in LA County to legally drink booze while sticking your feet in the sand, and definitely the only place in LA County you can do that while also eating a gargantuan iced seafood tower.

The Blue Lounge at Moonshadows

Perched just above the tumbling waves, with your feet up on a daybed, you won’t care who sees you order another strong, manly drink that definitely is NOT a strawberry daiquiri. Spend your Sundays wisely at The Blue Lounge at Moonshadows Malibu classic, poppin’ bubs, devouring tuna tartare, and enjoying the rotating lineup of DJs throughout the summer.

The Blue Lounge at Moonshadows

Rosenthal Bar and Patio

Rosenthal resto and wine bar also houses the Blue Lounge bar, where you won’t care who sees you order another strong manly drink that definitely is NOT a strawberry daiquiri. Spend your Sundays wisely at this Malibu classic poppin’ bubs, devouring tuna tartare, and enjoying the rotating lineup of DJs throughout the Summer. And the sunsets.