Spirited Discussions: A Podcast by Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services

Summer is made for patios, cookouts, beach drives, and maybe alcoholic drinks. But it also brings the “hundred deadliest days.” MVA Administrator Chrissy Nizer, ABS Outreach Manager Roddy Aguirre, and essay contest winner Elise Bradley talk plainly about what keeps our community safe as we enjoy prom, graduation, road trips, and lazy days with family and friends. Plus, test your knowledge with Chr...

Montgomery County is well known for its shopping, dining and culture. But did you know that in the Agricultural Reserve, it is also wine country? We sit down with Keith Miller, CEO of the Montgomery County Revenue Authority, and Angie Alvarez from ABS’s Seneca Meadows retail store to discuss how The Crossvines, ABS, and others are working toward economic development, agricultural tourism, and oppo...

Change is on the menu. Chris Swonger, President and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, and Kathie Durbin, Director of Alcohol Beverage Services, unpack how consumer habits, global trade, and local policy are reshaping the drinks landscape. From falling overall alcohol use to surging curiosity about flavor, moderation, and convenience, guests examine the forces affecting you...

Wine Educator Robert Cavanaugh and Kensington Store Manager Preston James share smart, budget‑savvy ways to choose wines and spirits for holiday parties, stocking stuffers, and tasteful gifts. Get expert tips on dessert wines, eggnog, and global liquors. And learn how to score rare bourbons at great prices. Want a signature cocktail for your celebration? Try Robert’s variations on the Kir Royale o...

How do control systems balance great selection, fair pricing, and public health while still celebrating local flavor? Host Jocelyn Rawat set up in Bethesda at the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association's Administrators Conference with leaders from across the country to share what’s working—from smarter stores and faster delivery to regional spirits and traditions that tell a story. Gue...

ABS Loss Prevention Manager Pete Schomburg and MCPD Sgt. Jesse Dickensheets discuss the partnership that helps keep prices down, fund essential services and deter crime. The approach has decreased shoplifting incidents in ABS retail stores, increased restitution orders from prosecuted cases, and improved product availability and prices. The transcript of this episode can be found here: https://www...

Your book club will love these novels served with their famous cocktails. ABS Liquor Store Assistant Manager Mike Gantt and MCPL Librarian Nathan Chadwick join host Jocelyn Rawat to curate a list of a dozen books and their signature drinks that will keep readers entertained while they relax by the pool or plan a cocktail-themed book club. Guests share literary insights paired with bartending tips...

Can you guess the top ten best-selling beers, wines and spirits? ABS Communications Manager Melissa Romeo and Breakthru Beverage Division Sales Director Joe Giardina join host Jocelyn Rawat to reveal the ten most purchased products by category, the broad array of products available through the ABS warehouse, and how new products come to the Montgomery County market. Guests also recommend some popu...

ABS Special Events Licensing Manager Roddy Aguirre and Parks Activation Director Mike Coppersmith join host Jocelyn Rawat to discuss upcoming Montgomery Parks festivals with alcohol, Parks rental facilities, and the ABS special events licensing program. Play along as guests take a quiz about which events need a license. Wedding reception? Block party? Concert? HOA meeting? Grand opening? The answe...

Discover the culture of Mexico and the nuanced flavors of premium sipping tequila. ABS Community Business Engagement Specialist John Bowles and Clase Azul Mexico Global Brand Maestro Rubén Vargas join host Jocelyn Rawat to discuss tequila-making practices, tips for enjoying premium expressions, and traditional cocktail recipes. Guests examine tequila’s growth in popularity and how you can be the f...

Discover the distinctive winemaking regions in France, how to pair French wines with food, and the ways ABS helps its customers find the right wine for their needs. ABS Retail Store Manager Abdul Jones and Adventure Wine founder Robert Cavanaugh join host Jocelyn Rawat to explore the ways different climates create unique flavors, how food and wine complement each other, and what customers can do t...

Learn how one local brewery incorporates history and artistry into its products, how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the hospitality industry, and why ABS supports small alcohol manufacturers. ABS Retail Operations Chief Sean Peters and Silver Branch Brewing Company’s Chief Operating Officer Brett Robison join host Jocelyn Rawat to explore how art, science and geography come together at Silver Bran...

Learn how Montgomery County employs young adults to make sure businesses are not selling or serving alcohol to minors. ABS Compliance Manager Joe Cannon and MCPD Sergeant Patrick Kepp join host Jocelyn Rawat to define the underage compliance check program and how it helps to keep the community safe. Guests discuss what a compliance check looks like, how businesses are succeeding, why preventing un...

Understand how Montgomery County and other jurisdictions function as control models for alcohol distribution. ABS Director Kathie Durbin and National Alcohol Beverage Control Association President/CEO Neal Insley join host Jocelyn Rawat to define the control model and its foundations of public health and safety, market fairness, and revenue that pours back into communities. Guests discuss how thes...

Discover the art and science of whiskey barrel picks. ABS Retail Operations Manager Jay Spiegel and co-founder of Old Line Spirits Mark McLaughlin join host Jocelyn Rawat to examine what makes barrel picks so special, including the types of barrels, distilling practices, and the barrel’s proof. Guests discuss how ABS’s size and scope allow for an excellent selection of local and national barrel pi...

Learn about ABS’s three main functions – wholesale operations, retail stores, and licensing and regulation. ABS Director Kathie Durbin and Communications Manager Melissa Romeo join host Jocelyn Rawat to introduce you to the new premium retail brand, Oak Barrel & Vine, as well as the Department’s extensive warehouse and the role of the liquor board. Guests discuss why ABS makes a difference for...