The Non-Alcoholic Beer Brand Worth $800M & Texas Power Grid vs Hurricane Beryl
Digest
The episode begins with a discussion of recent movie sequel announcements, including "The Devil Wears Prada" and "Gladiator 2." The hosts then move on to discuss the booming non-alcoholic beer market, highlighting Athletic Brewing's success and the growing trend of people choosing to drink less alcohol. The episode then shifts to the aftermath of Hurricane Barrow in Houston, discussing the widespread power outages and the city's reliance on the Wattaburger app for information. The hosts also discuss the broader implications of climate change and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in Texas. The episode then explores the changing landscape of office spaces, noting the record-high vacancy rates and the long-term shift towards hybrid work. The hosts also discuss the struggles of Ivy League alumni clubs to remain relevant in the modern era, highlighting the changing tastes of young professionals. Finally, the episode concludes with a discussion of Etsy's efforts to return to its roots and focus on handmade goods, highlighting the company's marketing campaign and the challenges of competing with larger e-commerce giants.
Outlines
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Movie Sequels and Non-Alcoholic Beer
This Chapter discusses the recent announcements of sequels for popular movies like "The Devil Wears Prada" and "Gladiator 2." It also highlights the booming non-alcoholic beer market, particularly the success of Athletic Brewing and the growing trend of people choosing to drink less alcohol.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Hurricane Barrow's Impact on Houston
This Chapter focuses on the aftermath of Hurricane Barrow in Houston, discussing the widespread power outages and the city's reliance on the Wattaburger app for information. It also explores the broader implications of climate change and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in Texas.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
The Changing Landscape of Office Spaces and Social Clubs
This Chapter examines the changing landscape of office spaces, noting the record-high vacancy rates and the long-term shift towards hybrid work. It also discusses the struggles of Ivy League alumni clubs to remain relevant in the modern era, highlighting the changing tastes of young professionals.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Etsy's Return to its Roots
This Chapter focuses on Etsy's efforts to return to its roots and focus on handmade goods, highlighting the company's marketing campaign and the challenges of competing with larger e-commerce giants.
Keywords
Athletic Brewing
Athletic Brewing is a non-alcoholic beer brand that has become the biggest non-alcoholic beer brand in the US. Founded in 2016, the company has ridden savvy positioning to pass incumbents like Budweiser and Heineken. Athletic Brewing is known for its high-quality, flavorful beers that are designed to appeal to a wide range of consumers, including those who are looking for a healthier alternative to traditional alcoholic beverages. The company has been a poster child for the growing non-alcoholic beer market, which is now the fastest growing segment of the entire beer market.
Hurricane Barrow
Hurricane Barrow was a Category 1 hurricane that made landfall in Texas close to Houston on Monday, July 10th, 2023. The storm brought more than a foot of rain to parts of Houston, causing widespread damage to buildings and power infrastructure. At least seven people were killed in the storm, which also damaged part of the Houston Texans football stadium. The most immediate concern after the storm was getting the power back on, as nearly 2 million people in businesses remained without power. The storm also caused dangerously hot temperatures due to the lack of air conditioning.
Hybrid Work
Hybrid work is a work arrangement that combines working from home with working in the office. It has become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. Hybrid work offers employees greater flexibility and autonomy, while also allowing employers to reduce office space costs. The shift towards hybrid work has had a significant impact on the commercial real estate industry, leading to record-high vacancy rates in office spaces.
Ivy League Alumni Clubs
Ivy League alumni clubs are private social clubs that are typically associated with prestigious universities like Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Cornell. These clubs have traditionally been seen as exclusive and prestigious, offering members access to networking opportunities, social events, and a sense of community. However, in recent years, these clubs have faced challenges in attracting younger members, who are often looking for more diverse and modern experiences. The changing tastes of young professionals have led to declining membership numbers and financial struggles for many Ivy League alumni clubs.
Etsy
Etsy is an online marketplace that connects buyers and sellers of handmade, vintage, and craft supplies. The company was founded in 2005 and has become a popular destination for unique and personalized goods. However, in recent years, Etsy has faced challenges from larger e-commerce giants like Amazon and Temu, which have offered lower prices and faster shipping times. In response to these challenges, Etsy is now focusing on its roots and emphasizing the handmade nature of its products. The company is also launching a new marketing campaign to highlight the value of handmade goods and to attract new customers.
Q&A
What are some of the recent movie sequel announcements that were discussed in the episode?
The episode discussed the announcements of sequels for "The Devil Wears Prada" and "Gladiator 2."
What is the biggest non-alcoholic beer brand in the US, and what are some of the trends driving the growth of this market?
The biggest non-alcoholic beer brand in the US is Athletic Brewing. The growth of the non-alcoholic beer market is being driven by several trends, including the increasing number of people who are choosing to drink less alcohol, particularly among younger generations. The episode also mentioned that Dry January, which was the biggest one ever, was Athletic Brewing's biggest month of sales in history.
What was the impact of Hurricane Barrow on Houston, and what are some of the broader implications of climate change in Texas?
Hurricane Barrow caused widespread power outages in Houston, leaving nearly 2 million people without electricity. The storm also caused dangerously hot temperatures due to the lack of air conditioning. The episode also discussed the broader implications of climate change in Texas, noting that the state has suffered more climate-related damage over the past several decades than any other state. The episode also mentioned that Texas is experiencing a population boom, with nearly half a million people becoming Texans in 2023 alone, but the state also suffered 11 separate billion-dollar disasters in that same year.
What are some of the challenges facing the commercial real estate industry, and how are these challenges impacting office spaces?
The commercial real estate industry is facing challenges from the long-term shift towards hybrid work, which has led to record-high vacancy rates in office spaces. The episode also discussed the impact of rising interest rates on the commercial real estate market. The episode mentioned that the vacancy rate for office spaces in the US has reached a new record high of 20.1%, and that San Francisco is particularly hard hit, with a vacancy rate of 34.5%.
What are some of the challenges facing Ivy League alumni clubs, and what are some of the trends driving these challenges?
Ivy League alumni clubs are facing challenges from the changing tastes of young professionals, who are often looking for more diverse and modern experiences. The episode mentioned that many Ivy League alumni clubs are struggling to attract younger members, and that some clubs are even facing financial difficulties. The episode also discussed the rise of new social clubs, such as Soho House and Zero Bond, which offer more modern and inclusive experiences.
Show Notes
Episode 362: Neal and Toby recap the havoc of Hurricane Beryl after it made landfall in Houston this past Monday and how Texas is often the target of climate disasters. Then, Athletic Brewing Company is leading the charge in America’s growing desire to drink without the drink–of alcohol, that is. Meanwhile, Jerome Powell goes to the front of the class of Congress to share that the US economy might have another foe besides inflation. Next, Etsy is trying to get out of its slump by reinventing itself as the “anti-robot” commerce company. Also, empty offices hit an all-time high, especially in San Francisco. Lastly, Ivy League social clubs are becoming a thing of the past as memberships are dwindling. Can speed dating save it?
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00:00 - Big sequels coming up
2:40 - Hurricane Beryl hits Houston
7:00 - Athletic Brewing is taking over
11:00 - Jerome Powell reports to Congress
14:30 - Etsy comeback story?
18:20 - Vacant offices continue to rise
22:00 - Ivy League clubs are fading away
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