Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
Which London venues offer private event spaces with film screening capabilities?
Members recommend several London venues with private screening rooms and bar facilities suitable for drinks industry events. **Specific venues:** - **TT Liquor** — mentioned as a solid option with screening capabilities - **The Ministry Borough** — suggested as a venue option - **Shoreditch Arts Club** — has a smaller private room, approximately 24-seat capacity; members noted it's a nice room with good location and have toured it recently - **Firmdale Hotels** — reported to have cinema rooms in most of their properties, though exact sizes unknown - **Chiswick Cinema** — praised for having a lovely private screen and gorgeous bar - **Barnes Olympic Studios** — noted as convenient, particularly for those based in West London - **Battersea Power Station** — has a cinema with a large, nice bar attached Members appear to have direct experience with several of these venues, having toured or used them recently.
What market research data sources and tools do members use for spirits, CBD drinks, wine, beer, and cocktail trends?
Members access market research through a mix of industry memberships, specialized apps, and shared databases. For **WSTA reports**, members with Wine & Spirit Trade Association membership can access category forecasts on gin, rum, vodka, and whisky—reach out to member contacts directly (DM for access). For **IWSR data**, one member has 2021 reports available but notes these become outdated quickly. On broader spirits trends, **COPA DRINKS** (www.copadrinks.com) is a newly launched free mobile app for the spirits industry with 12k+ spirit references, tasting notes, and 3k+ distillery locations powered by Bostocap.com. For on-premise cocktail data, **CGA data** (formerly Coca-Cola Analytics) tracks US on-premise trends including top-10 cocktail popularity—members ask peers directly for access. On non-alcoholic beer consumer behaviour, **Distill Ventures** has run webinars over recent months with global non-alc market data; recordings may be available via their website or by request from members who attended. For CBD soft drinks and glühwein/mulled wine market sizing, the community discussion shows members actively seeking this data but no standard commercial source emerged—members shared research opportunistically via DM rather than naming a specific vendor. One member flagged that WH Smith travel listings are expensive (£20–30k marketing investment expected) with limited ROI on spirits. The takeaway: much market research is accessed through memberships (WSTA) or shared peer-to-peer within the community; commercial research vendors are cited occasionally but often members default to webinar recordings and direct contact.
How do we navigate trademark searches and avoid conflicts when naming new brands across UK, EU, and US markets?
Members emphasize doing your own trademark searches across the three main territories rather than relying solely on expensive paid databases. The practical approach: search the UK, EU, and USA trademark registers directly on their respective government platforms—this is free and thorough, though time-consuming. **Key tips from the community:** - Search both relevant trademark classes (e.g. Class 33 for spirits, Class 32 for beers) as these can overlap and cause conflicts - The USA is described as "a minefield" with very few names remaining unclaimed, so obscure or invented names tend to work better than common nouns or animal names - Avoid generic or descriptive terms; unique, quirky names face fewer obstacles - **ChatGPT** was mentioned as a helpful tool for brainstorming and refining name ideas, though it should not be relied on for trademark clearance For professional support, members recommend **United Creatives** (Manchester) and **Joe Bowker at Gorilla Studio** (Manchester) as naming/branding agencies if you want expert guidance, though these come at a cost. **Caveat:** Paid data services like IWSR can be prohibitively expensive for smaller brands. Members note that while DIY searches work, international trademark law—especially US—remains complex and evolving; if budgets allow, legal advice on final shortlist names may save headaches later.
What industry associations and networking events are available for drinks-industry founders, particularly those looking to connect with the on-trade?
Members recommend a mix of formal industry bodies and community-led events for networking with the on-trade. **Formal associations:** - **British Distillers Association** — mentioned as a relevant membership organisation - **WSTA (Wine and Spirit Trade Association)** — praised for being helpful and supportive - **B Corp** — listed as an industry organisation worth considering **Networking approach:** Members emphasised that the most effective way to network with the on-trade is direct, grassroots engagement: spend time in bars, attend trade shows, and build brands from the bottom up. This hands-on approach is seen as more valuable than relying solely on formal association events. **Community events:** - **Kindred Spirits events** — the Kindred Collective itself hosts networking opportunities, including the Kindred Awards show (annual event) and social outings like golf days, which provide informal networking opportunities with fellow independent drinks founders. **Note:** The discussion suggests on-trade networking is less about formal association-hosted events and more about direct relationship-building in bars and at trade shows, supplemented by founder-community gatherings.
Where can members find podcast equipment and studio space for rent?
Members recommend reaching out to community connections and established venues that offer studio hire. **Brew Dog** operates a podcast studio available for hire in Waterloo. **Paddington Works** has podcast equipment available for member use. Members also suggest asking within the network for personal referrals—one member offered to connect others with a contact who can help source equipment and studio access. The best approach is to check with other Kindred members first, as several have existing setups or supplier relationships they can share.
What meeting and boardroom spaces do members recommend for business gatherings in UK cities?
Members recommend several practical options for meeting rooms across major UK cities, often less corporate and better value than chain providers: - **Fuller's pubs** — Members highlight Fuller's pub meeting rooms across London as offering good value and often having the necessary AV setup (screens, etc.). Use their pub finder to locate a local venue: https://www.fullers.co.uk/pubs/pub-finder/meeting-rooms/london - **SecondHome** — Recommended for Manchester-based meetings, with their most central location on Hanbury Street **Caveat:** Members note you should confirm the specific venue has the screen and AV equipment you need before booking, as this varies by location.
What event spaces in London can host product development sessions with tasting and photography capabilities for 10–12 people?
Members looking for development-focused spaces with hospitality and studio capabilities in central/east London have suggested a few options: - **Dream Factory** — mentioned as a potential fit for hosting a drinks development day - **Crucible** — suggested as a venue option, though current operational status was uncertain at time of discussion - **Ebury Edge Community Hall** — noted as a recently discovered space available for hire with a back area suitable for events Members did not provide detailed breakdowns of kit availability, photography facilities, or pricing for any of these venues in the excerpts provided. Before booking, you'll want to contact venues directly to confirm they can accommodate a full setup including serve ware, photography/studio space, and tasting infrastructure for your group size.
Where can I find data and insights on the cider market to prepare for interviews?
Members recommend connecting directly with experienced peers in the cider industry for both data and contextual insights. **Key resources and contacts:** - **Sam Showering** — has cider market data available to share; can provide direct support - **A cider market research document** ("Cider_Perry_in_the_United_Kingdom.pdf", 9 pages) — members have shared this within the group - **JPM** — has worked on the international side with Brothers (a major cider producer) and can discuss where they sell and category dynamics; better connected on international rather than domestic market specifics **Approach:** Reach out directly to group members with cider experience via DM. Members are generally willing to have exploratory conversations and share what they know. For interview prep, understanding the major producers (like Brothers) and their market presence (especially international) is a useful angle. **Note:** The group discussion suggests domestic UK cider market knowledge varies—some members are stronger on international/export side. Best to be specific about what aspect (domestic vs. international, specific producer dynamics, etc.) you're prepping for when reaching out.
What are the current market trends in premium spirits and alcoholic drinks according to recent industry research?
Members are actively tracking the **Mintel 'Attitudes Towards Premium Alcoholic Drinks – UK – 2024'** report, which has recently been released and is the current benchmark for understanding spirits market trends in the UK. Access notes: - The full Mintel report costs approximately £2,000, making it prohibitively expensive for most founders - Members recommend checking **local libraries** for free access to Mintel reports, though availability varies by location - Community members with access are sharing copies within the group to distribute knowledge This report is currently the most referenced source for premium drinks market insights within the community, though specific trend findings from the report were not detailed in the discussion excerpts provided.
How should RTD volume be calculated and reported as case equivalents when the ABV differs significantly from standard spirits?
RTD reporting requires a conversion methodology to compare volumes against standard spirit case equivalents. Members use two practical approaches: - **Diageo's 10x volume method** — treats RTD volume as 1/10th of a standard case equivalent by ABV ratio (90L of RTD ≈ 1 × 9L case equivalent), based on the logic that spirits are ~40% ABV and RTDs are approximately 1/10th of that. - **Spirit content method** — calculate the actual spirit volume required to produce the RTD batch, then use that as the case equivalent. For example, a 20L KeyKeg of spritz requiring 5L of base spirit would be reported as 5L case equivalent. Members note this is "probably not the 'right' way" by industry standard but works logically for internal tracking and is easy to apply consistently.
Where can members find low-key event venues in central London for casual drinks parties with live music?
Members have recommended a few central London venues that work well for informal drinks events with live music: - **SAMA Bankside** — used successfully for a launch party - **The Ministry in Borough** — described as "pretty sick" for this type of event One member also noted they have available space in Brighton if a splinter event appeals. For sourcing venues more broadly, members recommend contacting **Piers**, a serviced office broker in central London who can help identify suitable spaces (07877727267).