This week on Barstool Perspective, Mike returns from a whirlwind trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland with the lowdown on the global beverage industry. We’re breaking down the looming 200% tariff on French wine, the controversial total alcohol ban for US mariners, and a massive new study that might just debunk the “alcohol causes cancer” narrative.
Also in this episode:
California Grape Crisis: Grape yields in California are down 50% since 2018, leading to predictions of a grape shortage in 2026 despite current inventory gluts.
Cannabis Greed: In Michigan, combined wholesale, excise, and sales taxes have created a 45% net increase in cannabis prices, driving consumers back to the black market.
Episode Highlights:
01:45 – The 200% French Wine Tariff: Trump vs. Macron.
03:10 – Greenland, Tariffs, & Global Economy.
05:20 – Total Alcohol Ban: Why US Mariners are going dry.
06:50 – The “30 Cocktail” Cruise Ship Tragedy.
08:30 – Science Update: 1.5 Million people, 20 cancers, and no link to alcohol?.
13:10 – The 2026 Wine Outlook: Inventory gluts and California’s worst crop in 46 years.
17:00 – “Wine Moms” vs. Fox News: The cultural perception of drinking.
19:10 – Train Heists: Why cargo theft of food and beverage is skyrocketing.
21:00 – The Nicotine Pouch Era: Tucker Carlson and the new tobacco fix.
22:30 – Kratom: The “legal opioid” and why we won’t touch it.
24:40 – Michigan Cannabis Retraction: How 45% net taxes are killing the market.
32:20 – Is Happy Hour Dead? Gen Z habits and the future of dive bars.
35:30 – Listener Questions: Taxing plastics, social media, and billionaires.
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🍻 Happy Friday Brew crew.