#NationalFruitcakeDay | Rome is believed to be the creator of fruitcake, and one of the earliest recipes known comes from ancient Rome listing pomegranate seeds, pine nuts and raisins that were mixed into barley mash. Records indicate that in the Middle Ages, honey, spices, and preserved fruits were added. When in Rome: have you ever… Read More »Fruitcake Day
It’s a great day to enjoy bacon as a snack, with one of your meals or even incorporate it into a tasty dessert. Everything’s better with bacon: suggest ways to achieve a smoky, bacon flavor in your craft beer or whiskey; or consider pairing bacon with a mild and light-bodied whiskey; a pilsner, nutty brown… Read More »Bacon Day
#NationalChampagneDay or #ChampagneDay | A big part of holiday traditions around the world, about 25% of all champagne is sold in the days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Bubbly disposition: time for a responsible drinking message; notifying customers of holiday hours; or a promotion to use a ride share service to get to/from the… Read More »Champagne Day
Often a time for families and friends to gather prior to the holiday. Enjoy: offer well-wishes for a safe and joyful season and notify customers of any holiday hours.
#NewYearsDay | The start of the new year on the Gregorian calendar, first introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 and used by the British colonies starting in 1751. It’s also the start of the solar calendar year which syncs with the tropical year. Time to celebrate: post holiday hours; suggestions on how to spend… Read More »New Year's Day
Observed with the assumption that New Year’s Eve was a big night, full of drinking. Not a good idea for any beverage alcohol business to promote this explicitly, but brands can nod to it tastefully. Take it easy: if the tasting room will be open, promote food trucks and creative no-to-low-alcohol pairings, board games and… Read More »Hangover Day
#NationalBloodyMaryDay | A Bloody Mary is a cocktail containing vodka, tomato juice and other spices and flavorings (including Worcestershire sauce, hot sauces, garlic, herbs, horseradish, celery, olives, salt, black pepper, lemon and lime juice and celery salt). Usually consumed in the morning or early afternoon and is popular as a hangover cure. There are a… Read More »Bloody Mary Day
A staple food of traditional Italian cuisine, the first written record of spaghetti comes from the Talmud in the 5th century AD and refers to dried pasta cooked through boiling. Delizioso: suggest pairing Pinot Grigio or Nebbiolo with red sauce; Chardonnay or Rosé with seafood dishes; Barbera or Sangiovese or with pesto; Prosecco or Petit… Read More »Spaghetti Day
A ketogenic, or keto, diet is a high-fat, adequate-protein, low-carbohydrate diet that forces the body to burn fats rather than carbohydrates. Look at your alternatives: there are still plenty of low-carb options available to those following a keto diet, including pure forms of alcohol like whiskey, gin, tequila, rum and vodka. Promote those options where… Read More »Keto Day
It’s estimated there are 800k law enforcement officers serving at the federal, state, local and tribal levels in the United States. Respect: if you have an established track record of recognizing officers, offer tasting room specials for those serving in addition to your normal discounts. Note: out of respect, this is NOT the time to… Read More »Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
As the percentage of cacao increases, your senses recognize more intense chocolate flavor versus sweetness. Any beer brewed with bittersweet chocolate must include a long and vigorous boil time to volatize the oils. Sweet treats: educate your guests on beer, wine or whiskey best practices to achieve chocolate flavor; chocolate pairings. Photo by Pixabay from Pexels
#NationalHotToddyDay | A mixed drink often made with liquor, water and honey and served hot. Did you know: many drinks can be “toddied,” if they are not intended to be served cold. Ingredients: 1 ounce bourbon, 1 tablespoon mild honey, 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice and 1/4 cup boiling hot water mixed in a 6-ounce… Read More »Hot Toddy Day
A confection consisting primarily of sugar or honey and almond meal (ground almonds), sometimes complemented with almond oil or extract. It can be scented with vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and other sweet spices and paired with chocolate. Dessert before dinner? Yes, please: consider a liqueur pairing, like the Eierliqueur – a traditional custard-flavored Dutch or Belgian… Read More »Marzipan Day
A smooth, cold-fermented and cold-lagered beer brewed with lager yeast. Because of its alcoholic strength, it may include complex flavors and/or lager fruitiness such as berries, grapes and plums (but not banana). Perfect pairing: smoked or grilled red meats, sweet potatoes and creamy desserts. Photo by Helena Lopes from Pexels
#NationalBoochDay | Kombucha is a fermented, sometimes alcoholic, lightly effervescent, sweetened black or green tea drink commonly consumed for its supposed health benefits. Something to consider: many kombucha brands post to this #hashtag, often competing on ingredients and claims/benefits. Take a look at positioning your kombucha as a lifestyle brand, celebrating the day in a… Read More »Booch Day
The Eighteenth Amendment of the Constitution established the prohibition of “intoxicating liquors” in the United States. This was the product of decades of efforts by the temperance movement which held that a ban on the sale of alcohol would address/improve poverty and other societal issues. Raise a toast: consider posting a responsible drinking message; or… Read More »18th Amendment Day
A mixed drink containing rum, butter, hot water or cider, sweetener and spices (typically cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves), hot buttered rum is especially favored during the fall and winter months and is sometimes associated with the holiday season. Baby it’s cold outside: share your favorite recipe or cold-weather alternative. Photo by Hasan Albari from Pexels
The earliest use of the term bootlegger was during the 1880s in the Midwest when one would conceal flasks of liquor in their boot tops when going to trade with Native Americans. Similarly, rum-runners and moonshiners illegally transported high-proof alcohol during Prohibition to satisfy demand. We don’t have to hide it: promote your to-go packaging,… Read More »Bootlegger's Day
Just a reminder for businesses to get to know their customers better. On Get to Know Your Customers Day, consider to-go promotions or a free event; guest bartenders (where allowed); or streaming a video/photo montage of customers. Photo by mentatdgt from Pexels
Say no more: why not pair a Nut Brown Ale and pecan pie; Pinot Noir and peanut butter pie; or Scotch and apple pie.
An American nuclear engineer, brewer and author, Charlie Papazian founded the Association of Brewers and the American Homebrewers Association as well as the Great American Beer Festival, World Beer Cup and Zymurgy Magazine. He is also said to have created National Pie Day to celebrate his birthday, which has been sponsored by the American Pie… Read More »Charlie Papazian's Birthday
Cans are used across all craft beverage businesses, from beer to wine to premixed cocktails, kombucha and others. Crushable: share a quick history of canned beverages and current statistics versus other formats. Note: relevant #hashtags may also be appropriate, like #PackInPackOut.
Aztecs and Incas are thought to have made a peanut “paste” around 1000 BC but wasn’t widely used until the 20th century. A delicious how-to: share your secret on how to infuse peanut butter flavor into beer and whiskey (more relevant as a pairing with wine, kombucha and other beverages).
#BurnsNight | A Scottish poet and lyricist, widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and the pioneer of the romantic movement. Did you know: his poem (and song) “Ault Lang Syne” is often sung on New Year’s Eve/Hogmanay; a traditional “Burns Supper” includes haggis, Scotch whisky and the recitation of Burn’s poetry. Photo by Moussa… Read More »Robert Burns Night
Simply put: the recipe for a delicious, boozy treat: combine 1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1.5 ounces Irish whiskey and heavy cream (whipped slightly). Photo by Jill Wellington from Pexels
A marketing “holiday” to help us to keep our resolutions for better health by drinking a green, or vegetable juice. Time to cleanse: promote your low-cal or non-alcoholic options; green tea kombucha. Photo by Toni Cuenca from Pexels
Wouldn’t that be nice: suggest a date night at the tasting room, with drink specials and entertainment geared towards couples generically (hard to police relationships). Photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels
Promote your favorite chocolate cake recipe, like the Epicurious Double Chocolate Layer Cake. Delectably dark pairing: we like a dark Stout, Dessert Wine or Bourbon.
Intended to raise awareness and promote privacy and data protection best practices. Consider: reminding customers of the privacy practices surrounding your newsletter, loyalty program or other channels for collecting/storing transactional data.
#NationalHotChocolateDay | The terms “hot chocolate” and “hot cocoa” are often used interchangeably. Hot chocolate is made from ground chocolate which contains cocoa butter and mixed with warm milk. Why debate: discuss how to achieve chocolate flavor in your craft beverage. Photo by Kristina Paukshtite from Pexels
A brandy-based cocktail consisting of cognac, crème de cacao, and cream that became popular during the early 20th century. Sweet pairing: a cardamom shortbread torte or flourless shortbread with apple pie preserves (and if you have that in your wheelhouse, you’re in a different league!). Photo by Anthony Shkraba from Pexels
