Imbibe’s Tasting Notes Enewsletter, 01.05.21

Happy New Year, everyone. And a very welcome new year it is. There’s not much more that 2020 could have done to make itself more unwelcome around the world. While we’re trying not to get ahead of ourselves with our expectations for 2021—it’s abundantly clear there are still many challenging days ahead—we’re still entering this year with a renewed sense of determination, tinged with cautious optimism about the future.

These challenges, and this cautious optimism, were on our minds when preparing this year’s Imbibe 75, which just debuted in our January/February issue. In a typical year, we’d dedicate that coverage to new bars, up-and-coming brewers and baristas, and everything in the world of drinks that we’d like to make sure our readers know about for the coming year. 

But 2020 was anything but typical, so we’re directing our Imbibe 75 coverage in a different way. This year, we’re highlighting beverage professionals who are working to make the drinks world a better, more equitable, and more inclusive place, and that give us some sense of hope about the future.

We’re introducing you to people like Candice Madison, the director of roasting at The Crown: Royal Coffee Lab & Tasting Room in Oakland, who’s serving as vice president for the newly created Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity. And people like Yannick Benjamin, a New York City–based sommelier and co-founder of Wheeling Forward, a nonprofit that works to empower people with disabilities. We’re proud to feature the work of organizations like No Us Without You LA, a group of bartenders and hospitality professionals who sprang into action as the COVID crisis struck the industry, working to feed and support families of colleagues, particularly those of undocumented workers. These hospitality professionals and activists embody some of the best qualities to be found in today’s drinks world, and this year’s Imbibe 75 is dedicated to supporting their efforts. 

Check out our January/February issue for the full Imbibe 75 list, and be sure to visit imbibemagazine.com for more profiles and articles. Subscribe to our Radio Imbibe podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear extended interviews with some of our Imbibe 75 People to Watch; today’s episode features Jackie Summers and Lynn House, and we’ve got more coming your way in the weeks ahead. Of course, we’re always sharing recipes and insights into today’s bars, cafés, and breweries, so keep up with us on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook for day-to-day coverage. And if you’re not already a subscriber to the magazine, then let’s kick off the new year with a print and/or digital subscription.

We’re excited about the year ahead, but we know it’ll take plenty of work and determination to get us to better days. Join us in celebrating and supporting some of the people who are working to make our drinks world a better place, and here’s to a happy, healthy, and safe new year ahead.