Today, we're proud to announce the launch of PKGD University, a professional credentialing platform built in partnership with PKGD Group, one of the leading importers of heritage, producer-owned agave spirits in the United States.

THC beverages are no longer a novelty. They are on the shelf, in the cooler, and in the conversation at every major trade show this year. If you attended WSWA Access or any regional distributor event in the last six months, you saw it firsthand: hemp-derived THC drinks are showing up in the same portfolios, the same pitch decks, and the same buyer meetings as craft spirits, RTDs, and functional beverages.

If you run a liquor store, bottle shop, grocery alcohol department, or convenience store, you already know the math. You hire someone, spend a few weeks getting them up to speed, and then they leave. You start over. Repeat.

Running a business in New York means staying ahead of compliance requirements that protect your staff, your customers, and your license. Whether you operate a bar, restaurant, liquor store, or retail operation, state-approved training is one of the smartest investments you can make. Learn Brands offers a complete library of New York-specific, state-required and state-recognized training courses, all available online, on demand, and built for individuals or entire teams.

The alcohol industry enters 2026 at a clear inflection point. After decades of steady growth, global alcohol consumption is declining, consumer behavior is shifting, and long-held assumptions about premiumization, brand loyalty, and category growth are being challenged.