For BTI, Black Lives Matter - Beverage Testing Institute

For BTI, Black Lives Matter

Never before has the Beverage Testing institute commented on a political or social issue. Never before is now.

As a company dedicated to helping those in the pursuit of happiness through the enjoyment of pleasurable beverages, we must acknowledge that without life and liberty there can be no pursuit of happiness and we must recognize the moral crisis that our country and its people are suffering today. The despicable murders by police of Mr. George Perry Floyd and Ms. Breonna Taylor, the senseless slaying of Mr. Ahmaud Arbery, and the mysterious killing of Mr. David McAtee, from our closely allied hospitality industry, have made silence not an option.

Our company, its owners and staff stand in resolute support and alignment with the Black Lives Matter movement and the fight for civil rights, social justice, equality, and inclusiveness for all races, genders and sexual orientations.

It will not be business as usual for BTI. As of this moment we commit:

– To spotlight wine, beer, and spirits brands and organizations owned by Black and Brown folks and committed to the principles of equity, justice, and inclusiveness.

– To actively recruit more Black and Brown folks into our network of panelists and training platform

– To support and donate to local and national efforts and organizations that seek to include more Black and Brown folks into leadership positions in the beverage and hospitality industries.

– To create educational and training opportunities for Black and Brown folks to increase their beverage knowledge and skill set to help advance their careers in the beverage industry.

On a personal note, as an African-American man who as a small child survived the 1968 Chicago Democrat Convention police riot in my neighborhood and whose first memories of blood and carnage in the streets of Chicago have been my lifelong nightmares, I have been deeply shaken by the events of the past month, as has my team.

But now, I also remember the memories of my father, an African-American artist, community activist, and a founder of the DuSable Museum of African American History, who courageously and selflessly saved the life of a Hispanic man being beaten to death by police in Lincoln Park that day and then with my mother gathered a group of terrified and beaten protesters to give them sanctuary in our modest apartment in Old Town until the tumult was over. It is these memories of old and the courage of the new and young faces in the streets that give me hope, that beat back the nightmares, expel the fear, and shake off the long-building numbness that we’ve collectively been subjected to that prevents taking action against the seemingly insurmountable social and moral discords of the day…today…this day… this time…this time that will be different…this time never before must be no more.

In Solidarity and with Hope,

Jerald O’Kennard

Executive Director & Co-Owner, Beverage Testing Institute

 

Sherry, Sherry in the Cask. Who is the Fairest You Might Ask?

A tippling tour through the wonderland of Sherry-finished whiskies For many lovers of fine Whiskies or luxury spirits of any type, there are few things better than a well-aged Scotch matured in Sherr...

Corks Versus Screw Caps: Which Is Better?

A recent report from Wine.com that correlated high-quality wines with cork closures got me thinking about corks and screw caps. Since April is Earth Month, it’s a good time to explore natural co...

Celebrating Lagers for King Gambrinus Day

Today is King Gambrinus’ birthday – and rather than drink an entire cask of beer, as he so cleverly once did to more easily win a barrel lifting contest, let us celebrate this mythological personi...

BTI Partners with Michigan Wine Collaborative for 2023 Governor’s Cup

The Beverage Testing Institute is working with the Michigan Wine Collaborative to evaluate several hundred samples with results to be announced in person this summer. Check out this article for mor...

Tasting Rum is More Than Fun

For many of us Rum is a drink first associated with fun; beach vacations with a Pina Colada or Daiquiri, a Hurricane at Mardi Gras, rum and cokes at a college party, or Mai Tais and Painkillers keepin...

"The consistency and broad consumer reach of BTI ratings and reviews really solidified the quality message of our artisan brand and helped us build a well-distributed and highly regarded specialty portfolio of beers."
Laurent-Xavier Gilbert,
VP Development at La Brasserie Unibroue
"The BTI rankings have an effect on what restaurants put on their wine lists, and ultimately on what you might be drinking."
Joe Gray,
Editor, Chicago Tribune
"BTI is still the outstanding tasting organization, uniquely independent. Keep up the good work!"
Jan Wells,
VP of Marketing, Cannon Wines
"Beverage Testing Institute is a professional operation with a professional approach. I like that they are committed to truly blind tastings and that their reviews are comprehensive and informative. We highlight the reviews in our tasting room and post them on social media; the consumer response is very positive. "
Edwin Richards,
Winemaker/Owner, Adastra
“Our BTI awards have helped us with our US distribution. Sales have increased form 0 cases to 250 cases in just a couple of months. We opened two new accounts in Seattle and New York.”
Eduardo Aguirre Victoria,
Terre de Vignerons
“[BTI's] Tastings.com is well known as a main reference for connoisseurs, experts and followers of spirits.”
Otto Flores,
Ron Barcelo
"We have used Tastings.com (BTI) for the last 5 years and couldn’t be happier. They always have great customer service and support! Not only do they have detailed professional reviews and tasting notes, the addition of the metallic stickers and shelf-talkers help us capture customers, and drive bottle sales. The trophies, medals, and printed awards are displayed as center pieces in our tasting room. Their website is easy to navigate and has great product information."
Mike Huffman,
Whidbey Island Distillery
“Our winery has had BTI rate our wines for a number of years. We use the bottle stickers and shelf talkers for both education and to enhance our marketing. We have had distributors request bottle stickers, and during wine pourings, we use the shelf talkers as a customer take away. We appreciate the information written by BTI since we find it to be concise, descriptive, informational, and a well rounded review of our wines.“
Janet Soderberg,
Alamira Wines, Vistaflores Estate
When we found out that our 20 year Pappy Van Winkle had been entered in BTI's 1997 World Spirits Championships and received their 99-point rating, that’s when we started getting calls from distributors around the country looking for our whiskey.

That was a benchmark moment for our business. Every time we received a high rating from BTI over the years, interest increased for our brand.

We owe a lot to the Beverage Testing Institute for our success.
Julian P. Van Winkle, III,
President, Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery
BTI has been our go-to partner for our alcohol awards program for years now, providing quality reviews of our wide selection of wines, beers and hard seltzers. The unique quarterly submission process allows our team to highlight new, trending and seasonal offerings and the staff at BTI is always responsive, collaborative and supportive to help us reach our goals.
Carrie Reitz,
Corporate Buying US, ALDI Inc.
The trust that consumers, major retailers, distributors and suppliers have for BTI makes their reviews and recommendations an invaluable complement and a huge asset to the success of Atlas’ bespoke label brands. I enthusiastically recommend their tools and services to anyone in the control or private label beverage program spaces.
Jim Cosma,
Atlas Imports

Brand Partners

Translate »