Looking for favorable stats or media reports regarding the industry

[Max Action]

We're finally finishing up the business plan, and would like to include some references to favorable reports from the media or industry tradegroups regarding the growth prospects for microdistilleries and/or specialty spirits.

Any suggestions?

[Quirk]

Without ponying up for expensive trade reports, it takes a bit of digging to find good numbers.

One option is to pull numbers for the industry as a whole, then extrapolate the figures for craft spirits based on the percentage of the market your particular category represents. It's more of an art than a science, and I would also love to hear from everyone else about their market research tactics.

If you want some general "liquor is a good business" articles to pull from, lots of national press archives to search:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/25/business/bourbons-all-american-roar.html

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203824904577212393750116120.html

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-30/spirits-sales-steal-share-from-beer.html

[Max Action]

Thanks Quirk, those are helpful. Anyone else have suggestions?

[Chris Martin]

You might also look into this list:

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Business+and+Industry-p1+Food+and+beverage+industries

In particular, you'll find all sorts of articles and stats from Beverage Dynamics.

[John McKee]

Closed states have to report their sales numbers for all products sold. You should consider contacting the warehouse managers in those states and asking for a sales report for the previous year. A wealth of information can be had for nothing at all.

[Palmetto Coast]

I don't know if you made it to the ADI Conference in Louisville or not. Michael Kinstlick of Coppersea Distillery compiled a great presentation that is available for download at their website. Make sure to thank him for his hard work.

Todd