Changing Beer from Cheap to Craft in Minutes

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Beer lovers everywhere have experienced the internal debate on whether or not to settle for ordering a traditional lager or coughing up the extra change to get a craft brew. A Maryland start-up has created a solution that allows beer enthusiasts to get the best of both worlds. Hop Theory made a teabag that consumers drop in their beer to improve their normal lager or enhance the craft beer of choice. Two minutes after being dropped in a pint, consumers have an entirely different beverage.

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Servers on Salary: Is Tipping Coming to an End?

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As the debate over a fair minimum wage grows statewide, many restaurants have began participating in the anti-tipping movement by paying their servers a salary. Dirt Candy, a vegetarian restaurant in New York, has experimented with the idea by removing the line to tip and instead implementing a 20 percent “administrative fee” on every bill, which goes towards the employees of the restaurant. There are many benefits of the new payment system, but some traditional restaurants continue to object.

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3 (Not so Easy) Steps to Becoming a Sommelier

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Earning the title of certified Sommelier is no walk in the park. Wine lovers that want to make a career out of their passion must go through rigorous steps to earn the salary that comes along with the job. Not only do you have to prepare yourself to take the tests, you have to keep up with the ever-changing industry to impress the guests that come through the door. Thinking about taking the leap? Let Uncorkd give you an idea of what to expect during your journey to becoming a Sommelier.

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Restaurant and Wine News

Increase your Wine Sales with Menu Science

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The majority of people who visit a restaurant are coming into the establishment for their food. It is then up to the restaurant to push beverages in order to increase sales. This can seem like a difficult task, but Uncorkd has unlocked the secret in the Definitive Guide to Increasing Wine Sales. Research, as well as a focus on menu science, has revealed to us what it takes to have a successful beverage program within a restaurant. This preview will give you a taste of what to expect from Uncorkd’s guide and prepare you to make the changes that will increase beverage revenue. 

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Beringer’s Taste Strips Reduce Buyer’s Remorse

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Beringer Vineyards are allowing consumers to taste their wine without opening a bottle. The winery has introduced a “try before you buy” strategy in Kroger stores across 20 states with their edible tasting strips. The technology has taken consumers by storm, as people can now taste the wines before purchase and be more confident in their selection.

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Thinking Outside the Glass: Creative Cocktails

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Competition in the restaurant industry has always been fierce. Restaurants and bars continue to search for ideas on how to differentiate themselves from the rest and become the consumer’s first pick on their night out. As the industry evolves and Millennials take charge, food is no longer the only consideration when deciding where to go for lunch or dinner. Interest in cocktails has been growing, and the 2.2% increase in hard liquor sales from 2014 supports this trend. It’s time to customize your cocktails and Uncorkd has some ideas on where to start.

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Hooray! Today is National Beer Day!

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April 7 marks National Beer Day in the United Sates. Though some claim it to be a fake holiday, it is celebrated to mark the end of Prohibition in 1933. After 13 years, beer was finally legally allowed to be produced, sold and consumed by Americans. Restaurants and consumers should embrace the occasion and these facts will give you a reason to celebrate (as if you needed one).

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Uncorkd iPad Menus for Restaurants

Consumer Behavior When Ordering Drinks in Restaurants

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Last week, Uncorkd went cross-country and visited Las Vegas for the VIBE Conference. The largest on-premise beverage conference included interactive workshops, guest speakers and access to extensive research. Our employees gained insight into why consumers act the way they do, and we want to share some of that information with you! Start improving your restaurant by focusing on these facts and tips.

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Tricking the Taste Buds: How to Make Bargain Wine Taste Expensive

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Wine lovers rejoice! The secret has been revealed on how to make an inexpensive bottle of wine taste like that of high-end quality. How you might ask? Hyperdecanting. Though it sounds complicated, the only tool you’ll need is a blender and, of course, your favorite bargain brand wine.

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The Arsenic Argument: Are Some California Wines Dangerous?

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On March 19, four California residents filed a lawsuit against more than a dozen California wineries, making the claim that the producers had distributed wine that contains dangerously high levels of arsenic. The Wine Institute, composed of more that 1,000 California vintners, stated that the claim was “false and misleading.” The news caused a panic within the wine drinking community, as many began to stray away from certain brands that were named in the case. But is there truly reason to worry? Knowing the facts can help wine consumers everywhere understand the situation and determine the steps to take from there.

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