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.
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 For **IWSR data**, one member has 2021 reports available but notes these become outdated quickly.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.
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.
Where can I find market research data on premium soft drinks and alcohol-free beverages in Europe?
Members recommend a mix of free and paid sources for European premium soft drink and AFB market data: - **Mintel reports** — available free of charge through the British Library; noted as comprehensive for this category - **AI tools** (ChatGPT, Bard, Bing AI) — mentioned as useful starting points for initial research Members also suggest tapping industry connections: one noted a contact working with premium AFB brands (e.g. Baldoria from Little Red Door) who may offer insights into category trends and product ranges.