Episode 67

Price Rises & Reading the Drinks Market

Listen: On spotify

Watch: On youtube

Looking at the business realities shaping hospitality right now — from rising drink prices to tightening margins and the signals coming out of the global drinks industry. The conversation starts with Vinden “Headcase” Chenin Blanc (Hunter Valley, 2024) and a simple commercial test: would you order a second glass? From wine list viability to customer behaviour, the focus quickly shifts to pricing pressure and profitability in restaurants and bars.

With drink prices increasing year after year, we ask whether there is a ceiling in the market — and what happens when customers push back. The episode also unpacks industry headlines, including Jim Beam halting production in 2026 due to oversupply, and what that could signal for stock management, cash flow, and demand across the beverage sector.

For hospitality operators, venue managers, and anyone watching the drinks market closely, Episode 67 offers a grounded look at margins, pricing strategy, and the small operational decisions that determine long-term sustainability.