Whether you run a winery, a bar, or a restaurant or distribute and make alcoholic beverages, you'll want to consider alcoholic beverage industry publications pricing and costs. There is a vast array of periodicals available for the alcoholic beverage industry. Some focus on niche areas like growing wine grapes, while others focus more broadly on running a bar or keeping up with regulations for alcoholic beverages. Yet before you subscribe to even one alcohol industry magazine, there are a few things to consider.
Most obviously, you want alcohol beverage industry publications that are suitable for your business. A bartender doesn't really need a magazine on running a winery, and a winery owner probably doesn't want a subscription to a magazine about mixing drinks. Next, take a look at the best periodicals available in your particular area of interest. Compare the costs of subscriptions, being sure to read sample articles at the publication's website to see if the periodical is really for you. There are at least three broad categories of alcohol industry journals and periodicals you could consider:
1. Alcohol industry periodicals focusing on keeping up with regulations and safety issues
2. Alcoholic beverage trade publications targeted to bars and nightclubs
3. Alcohol industry periodicals geared specifically to wine or beer

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Choose an alcoholic beverage trade publication about law and safety

The alcoholic beverage industry must abide by a myriad of laws and regulations set up by the federal and state governments. Promoting alcohol safety has also become an important issue to many in the industry. To keep up on changes and discover new ways to encourage safety, it makes sense to subscribe to publications focusing on these areas. Fortunately, most publications falling under these headings are free; a few are under $20 a year.

I recommend: StateWays, published by Beverage Information Group, is a periodical for retail store managers, board members, commissioners, and others who need to keep up with state laws regarding alcoholic beverages. Via its newsletter, the World Association of the Alcohol Beverage Industries encourages the alcoholic beverage industry to promote beverage safety.

Seek periodicals on alcohol beverage industry trends for bars

Quite a number of periodicals look at trends in alcoholic beverages for bars and nightclubs. Some are geared more toward servers, while others are most suitable for management. Subscriptions range from free (to qualifying business people) to about $35 a year.

I recommend: Questex Media Group publishes Nightclub & Bar magazine--the only publication dealing exclusively with bar management, including articles on alcoholic beverage trends, training staff, and more. Bartender Magazine is the most popular publication for information about new drinks, service, and more.

Select an alcoholic beverage industry publication for beer or wine

Wine and beer are two specialized areas of interest, and there's no lack of publications geared toward them. Whether you create or distribute beer or wine, there's a suitable publication for you. On average, such magazines cost between $35 and $45 for 12 issues.

I recommend: Wine Communications Group publishes Wine Business Monthly, the industry's leading magazine for growers and wineries. All About Beer Magazine, published by Chautauqua, covers the latest trends in beer.

The alcoholic beverage industry has a long-standing reputation as a burgeoning business that requires its players to possess a true edge to be successful. One of the easiest and most accessible ways to get that edge is by regularly reading alcoholic beverage industry publications. From alcohol industry journals to alcohol industry newsletters, these periodicals are mandatory reading for the industry's elite.

You can use alcoholic beverage industry publications to gather distribution strategies, find marketing ideas and read about the latest industry trend. When choosing which publications to add to your research arsenal, consider the following:

1. Alcohol industry magazines offer great blanket industry information in a timely manner on a regular basis throughout the year.
2. Longstanding alcoholic beverage industry newsletters and other publications can help you research multiple facets of the industry.
3. Alcohol industry journals, filled with market information, regulations and standards by state and industry contacts, serve as invaluable references.
   

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Check out alcohol industry magazines

A number of magazines specializing in alcoholic beverages boast interesting articles about the latest trends in alcoholic beverages. Each alcohol industry magazine is a great source of the latest industry news as well as a useful resource for repeat reference while on the job.

I recommend: Night Club & Bar Magazine offers up industry news and other insights into the alcoholic beverage and hospitality industries. Wine Business Monthly is an insightful resource filled with strategies on how to impress even the toughest wine connoisseurs with your restaurant or wine store offerings.

Look into longstanding alcoholic beverage industry publications

A number of alcohol industry periodicals own a stake in the industry because of their longstanding status in the industry. Look to these 'older but wiser' publications during your information search.

I recommend: Beverage Dynamics is an alcohol beverage industry magazine that's been around since 1934. Cheers Magazine is another alcohol beverage industry staple that caters to the alcoholic merchandising needs of full service restaurants.

Review alcohol industry journals that help you comply with state law and education guidelines

There are a number of flagship alcohol industry publications that serve as great go-to references because they keep you up to date on the latest laws and guidelines governing the industry in every state. Make sure to add these journals to your alcohol industry reference collection.

I recommend: StateWays is an alcoholic beverage trade publications that specializes in information for distributors and retailers of alcoholic beverages in control states, or states that have very specific guidelines and laws with regard to alcohol sale and consumption. The World Association of the Alcohol Beverage Industries, Inc. is a volunteer organization that helps the alcoholic beverage industry educate local communities about safety and alcohol consumption.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  In addition to publications on the alcoholic beverage industry, look at anti-alcohol publications. While this may seem counterproductive, these publications can give you a better understanding of the issues your business will be up against--and can help you develop strategies to overcome them.

Alcoholic beverage industry publications are produced as a reference for the owner of a business and span from liquor stores, to tasting rooms and even restaurants. The alcohol beverage publications cover an array of topics from the latest products, to consumption trends and even how to properly store and serve your alcohol products so that your consumers appreciate their experience at your place of business.

But before you start endlessly searching alcohol industry journals, there are a few benchmark associations and magazines that are considered the industry standard. Familiarize yourself with the basic news and trends covered in these publications before moving onto other valuable educational material that covers news and trends in the alcohol industry.

1. Find national alcohol associations to provide guidance on alcoholic beverage industry publications news and trends.

2. Read alcohol industry magazines for up-to-the-minute information on advances in the alcohol industry.

3. Learn about wine news and trends through alcohol industry publications.

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Locate alcohol associations that provide news on the alcoholic beverage industry

Visit websites for national alcohol associations for the latest information on news and trends within the industry. These associations provide written publications as well as articles on their respective websites about the latest information to affect the industry. These include topics on everything from consumption trends to congressional law changes.

I recommend: Check out the website for the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association. There is a specific section of their website dedicated to recent news. The World Association of the Alcohol Beverage Industries also offers a news section on its website.

Find online magazines about the alcohol beverage industry

When it comes to learning more about alcohol beverage news and trends, subscribe to magazines that cover the alcohol beverage industry trends. Whether they are in hard print or simply online, these alcoholic beverage trade publications will give you access to the pulse of the industry. You'll be up to date on the latest products as well as being able to spot trends in alcoholic beverages and their consumption.

I recommend: Check out online magazines such as the Beverage Information Group or Beverage World, which offers comprehensive research on such topics as consumption trends, to the latest spirits to hit the market, to listings of alcohol trade shows. All About Beer is another great resource covering the latest in news and trends related to beer.

Find out about wine through alcohol industry magazines

When it comes to keeping up with the latest news and trends in regard to alcohol industry publications, you must keep up with the latest wine information. Wine makes up for a significant portion of a restaurant or commercial kitchen's profits. And since wine is such an expansive topic, there is a virtually endless amount of articles and publications to absorb in order to stay up on the latest.

I recommend: Visit the website for Wines and Vines; it's associated with wine enthusiast magazines. This website is for the business person who wants the up-to-the-minute information on news and trends in regard to sales, consumption and where the hottest new vineyards can be found. Wine Spectator is another magazine that offers similar analysis in a comprehensive manner or try Wine & Spirits.

Alcoholic beverage industry publications keep a beat on the business of beer, wine and spirits. They provide businesses, such as restaurants and bars, with the most up to date information on everything from creating and packaging to distributing alcoholic beverages.

Take some time to learn about some of the key terms you'll run across when reading these publications. Here are some of those terms, along with some resourceful links to help get you started.

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Growing degree days

Growing degree days refers to the amount of days that a vineyard can successfully grow grapes over a season or other determined amount of time. What qualifies the growing degree day depends on average local temperatures. Many wine publications detail the growing degree days.

I recommend: Visit the website for Wine Business.com for additional information on growing degree days and how they affect the wine industry as a whole.

State drink taxes

Many states have begun to enforce state drink taxes on alcoholic beverages. This is an additional charge to the consumer by the state for each drink that is purchased at a restaurant or bar. Some states are adding these taxes to bottles and cases sold in supermarkets as well. It should be noted that these state drinks taxes are in addition to the state and local sales taxes.

I recommend: Visit the website for Nightclub & Bar for further information on state drink taxes and how they affect the alcohol industry.

Consumption trends

Consumption trends refer to the tracking of alcoholic beverages that people are purchasing and drinking. Following these consumption trend lines can help businesses formulate their sales strategies when trying to cater to particular consumer demographics. Many alcohol publications follow consumption trends.

I recommend: Visit Beverage Information Group for additional information on consumption trends and how they are helping to define the alcohol industry. Simply click on the link and you'll be taken to the most recent article.

Wine Industry Index

The Wine Industry Index is a comprehensive guide that is published once a year and is considered the industry standard when it comes to bulk purchasing of wine.

I recommend: Visit the website for Vineyard and Winery Management Magazine for additional information on the Wine Industry Index.

Distribution

Distribution, in the alcoholic beverage industry, refers to getting the product from the manufacturer to the supplier and from the supplier to the restaurant, bar or supermarket. Alcoholic trade publications often cover this process in terms of trying to streamline the costs and making it the most effective process.

I recommend: Visit the website for Beverage Industry, a magazine with an alcoholic industry slant, for further information about the distribution process.

Packaging

Packaging, in terms of alcoholic beverage trade publications, refers to the business of creating labels and bottles for the alcoholic beverage. Consumers should be enticed and enjoy the experience of purchasing and sharing libations from a bottle. Because of this, packaging is something that is commonly talked about in alcoholic trade publications. Everything from color to type of material to label creation is discussed.

I recommend: Visit the website for Beverage World for additional information on packaging and how it relates to the alcoholic beverage industry.