The Daily Pour

There’s been a lot of noise lately about the hemp industry and the possibility of a full federal ban looming in November 2026. Major voices, including Joe Rogan, have jumped into the conversation. Rogan recently claimed that the alcohol lobby is trying to ban THC beverages outright and pointed out that those using CBD products for therapeutic purposes will suffer. The truth is complicated. Major alcohol companies and stakeholders aren’t all pushing to kill the category; most would prefer Congress create a federal regulatory framework for hemp-derived THC. Their priority is not prohibition. They want unlicensed, unsafe products off the shelves and regulation so they can control the future—and benefit from it. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eEhCb7Zm #hempban #alcohol #Cannabis #AlcoholIndustry

If you left the Drinks with Benefits Festival without a memento, we’ve got you covered! Grab one of the remaining t-shirts and relive the good vibes every time you wear it. Shop here: https://lnkd.in/eu_jMpST

The non-alcoholic category stopped being a novelty. On September 16th, we're getting the people building it into one room. The dwb Summit is a b2b gathering of founders, investors, retailers, and cultural leaders. There will be panels and conversations on consumer trends, brand building, distribution, and where the category goes next. Hosted by The Daily Pour at The Maze, 43 West 24th St, New York City. It leads directly into the Drinks With Benefits tasting: zero-proof pours, cocktails, food pairings, and immersive activations. Tickets in the comments. Join us.

Calling all retailers, buyers, distributors, and hospitality leaders! 🚨 If you are looking to develop your NA shelf space or venue menu, the Drinks with Benefits Festival returns to NYC on September 17, 2026, at The Altman Building! This is the ultimate discovery floor for trade professionals to sample, evaluate, and source the leading edge of the NA and functional beverage movement. What Trade Attendees Can Expect: 60+ Top-Shelf Brands including premium alcohol-free wines, spirits, RTD's and functional drinks. Pro Tip for Industry Leaders: Don't miss the DWB Summit happening the day before on September 16th at The Maze NYC! Join brand founders, retail executives, and category experts for an exclusive day of industry insights, retail data, and panel discussions on scaling offline. Equip your business to capitalize on the fastest-growing beverage segment. Learn more: DWB Summit - Sept 16 - The Maze https://lnkd.in/gsSyb4Bd Drink with Benefits Festival - Sept 17 - The Altman Building https://lnkd.in/esczjwET

As a founder, creating a great brand is only half the equation. Building a standout product is essential, but true longevity comes down to execution: understanding your channels, navigating retail dynamics, and knowing how to effectively pitch buyers and merchandisers. At the upcoming DWB Summit, we are diving deep into the tactical playbook of scaling offline: How to Win at Retail in the Non-Alcoholic Category. Moderated by Marcos Salazar, this panel will explore what’s actually driving sales on retail shelves today, featuring insights from three industry trailblazers: Nicholas Pelis — Owner of Spirited Away (Manhattan’s premier non-alcoholic bottle shop) with 18+ years of spirits industry leadership across Diageo, Campari/Skyy, and William Grant & Sons. Meeta Gournay — Co-Founder of Three Spirit, the UK-born botanical brand that redefined functional beverages by bringing together plant scientists, herbalists, and top bartenders. Aqxyl Storms — Founder & Owner of Minus Moonshine, Brooklyn’s pioneering non-alcoholic bottle shop dedicated to championing independent makers and functional beverages. Whether you are an emerging founder preparing for your first retail pitch or an established brand scaling national distribution, this panel will deliver actionable insights on what buyers are looking for right now. 🎟️ Join us in NYC on September 16 at The Maze:

If you’ve been paying attention to the alcohol-free and wellness space, one thing is clear: female founders are leading the charge. From pioneering functional spirits to scaling retail distribution across thousands of doors, women are driving innovation and reshaping how modern consumers socialize and prioritize their health. That’s why we’re bringing together an extraordinary panel of power players at the DWB Summit on September 16th at The Maze NYC to answer the ultimate question: What does it really take to build and scale a brand as a female founder today? Meet the trailblazers joining our panel: Anna Baskin (Moderator) | Founder, hightail With 15+ years of strategy and corporate leadership experience, Anna created Hightail to deliver functional, differentiated products that help busy mothers find moments of joy in the everyday chaos. Laura Taylor | Founder & CEO, Mingle Mocktails Pioneering the category since 2017, Laura has built Mingle Mocktails into a national footprint across Whole Foods Market, Publix Super Markets, Total Wine & More and CVS Health. Her vision recently earned the brand a spot at No. 1,014 on the 2026 Inc. 5000 list. Emily Onkey | Co-Founder & CMO, Aplós With a luxury brand-building pedigree (Estée Lauder, CB2, Bonobos), Emily helped transform functional non-alcoholic spirits into a powerhouse category. She recently co-led Aplós' $5M fundraising round, drove triple-digit wholesale growth, and was named to Inc.’s 2026 Female Founders 250 List. Monica E Cornitcher | Co-Founder, MEDASE COCKTAILS Driven by purpose and premium ingredients, Monica is redefining celebration through elevated, organic alcohol-free cocktails that deliver a full, uncompromised cocktail experience designed to bring people together. Vanessa Rissetto, MS, RD, CDN, MS, RD | Co-Founder, Culina Health & Member, GEM Scientific Advisory Board A former Senior Dietitian at Mount Sinai and named one of Essence’s top Black nutritionists changing how we think about food, Vanessa brings deep clinical, marketing, and nutritional expertise to modern wellness innovation. Interest to hear more. Secure tickets here: https://lnkd.in/gsSyb4Bd #femalefounders