Bruce Schreiner, Jim Salter, Julio Cortez, Charles Arbogast, Nam Huh and Matt Rourke were the multiformat team that unearthed a newsy gem: spirits supplier revenues for alcoholic spirits have surpassed beer in overall market share. Schreiner in Louisville launched a conversation across bureaus and departments to get a multiformat package to be ready when the embargo lifted on a report by the Distilled Spirits Council industry group. Salter in St. Louis reached out to large brewers and beer analysts. Photographers Arbogast and Cortez quickly found craft distilleries for striking visual storytelling that keyed in on both the making of small-batch spirits and the cocktail mixology craze helping to drive the market trends. Cortez also contributed key quotes from a bartender and distiller while he was making photos. Rourke in Philadelphia and Nam Huh in Chicago also contributed photos from taprooms in their areas.
When liquor overtook beer in purchases, AP was ready
Gregory Megner, general manager and mixologist at Baltimore Spirits Company, pours two mixed drinks containing whiskey distilled on premises, Feb. 8, 2023, in Baltimore.
AP PHOTO/JULIO CORTEZ