ESTER Introduces Proprietary Flavor Intelligence Technology and Predictive Personalization Data Engine to Craft Beverage Companies
ESTER’s Flavor Intelligence Portal and independent chemical as well as sensory panel testing is now available for breweries and wineries to engage with at its most affordable rate.
NEW YORK, NY— ESTER, the Belgian-born Flavor Intelligence Platform now with a location in New York City, introduces its Early Adopter Program to craft breweries, wineries, and retailers near and far.
ESTER’s Flavor Intelligence Portal and independent chemical as well as sensory panel testing is now available for breweries and wineries to engage with at its most affordable rate. This new program, already adopted by regional players Sierra Nevada, Boston Beer, Deschutes Brewery, and Craft Beer Cellar, empowers producers and retailers to target new customers based on the most comprehensive flavor analysis available today.
ESTER's comprehensive scientific approach analyzes 250+ chemical compounds, product packaging, and sensory analysis from it's trained specialized panel. Brand data is then mapped within the proprietary ESTER recommendation database including other leading brands worldwide. This unbiased technology matches customers to beers and wines that they are predisposed to prefer based on authoritative and sound sensory insights, eliminates unconscious bias, and delivers personalized recommendations more likely to reward the end customer.
Early producer adopters of ESTER have access to the world’s most comprehensive analysis via the continuously updated producer portal, with the capability to download the raw data using the current functionalities available free for life. They also have the opportunity to be showcased in the ESTER U.S. book and brand list website coming out in 2021.
“My passion for the individuality of flavor goes back to my childhood, fighting with my mom about whether I liked my greens or not,” explains ESTER’s Co-Founder and CEO Jean Van Damme. “That stubbornness turned to curiosity when I went on to study food science at the University of Leuven and then work in grocery retail. I was struck by the gap between retailer’s focus on customer needs, yet lack of information about their preferences. It has become my life’s work to understand and bridge that gap, and to leverage our knowledge to drive innovation that levels the playing field for all businesses of all sizes in the space.”
The lowest introductory rate of ESTER’s Early Adopter Program will apply to the first 250 beer or wine brands signed up.
Set up a demonstration of this game-changing new product by emailing contact@ester.ai.
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Press Assets: available for download here
Press Contact: Emily Hutto, coop@radcraftbeer.com
ABOUT ESTER
ESTER is building the most comprehensive beverage flavor intelligence that exists today, an AI engine to understand flavor on a personalized level. Consumers use ESTER to explore their unique flavor preferences through efficient exploration, while retailers and producers use ESTER to increase customer loyalty and sales. This integrative technology was launched in Belgium in 2018 by Jean Van Damme, Didier Vanden Broucke, and Frederik Durant, and brought to the American market in 2020. Through academic partnerships with the Verstrepen lab at the University of Leuven and Cornell University, ESTER has grown into a multidisciplinary team of scientists, data engineers, developers, and UX experts on a mission to use the latest science and machine learning technology to deliver innovation to the food system. Learn more at ester.ai.
Craft Maltsters Guild Goes Virtual with 2021 Craft Malt Conference, February 10-12
The decision to host the 2021 Craft Malt Conference was made to support safety measures during COVID-19 but with the added perk of increasing accessibility for the greater craft malt community.
The Craft Maltsters Guild proudly presents the fourth annual Craft Malt Conference, coming to you in a virtual format from February 10-12. The decision to go virtual in 2021 was made to support safety measures during COVID-19 but with the added perk of increasing accessibility for the greater craft malt community. Come one, come all. This is an easy-to-attend artisan grains and craft beverage conference you won’t want to miss.
#CraftMaltCon2021 is a three-day event, with curated live seminars on the latest research, trends, and best practices relevant to those in the craft malt supply chain. Participants can also participate in digital malthouse tours, peruse a virtual trade show, and attend cyber happy hours each evening. Attendees will also have the chance to talk with sponsors during live Q&A sessions and check out new products via video demos.
“We’re excited about the potential this exciting new format offers,” says Executive Director of the Craft Maltsters Guild Jesse Bussard. “Adapting our conference to a virtual experience makes craft malt education more accessible than ever!”
The 2021 Craft Malt Conference keynote speaker is the esteemed craft beer icon Ken Grossman of Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. Other guest speakers include Richard Simpson of Simpsons Malt, Bart Watson of the Brewers Association, Becky Harris of Catoctin Creek Distillery, and Dr. Charlie Bamforth of UC Davis, from the University of Nottingham and Sierra Nevada, among many other leading craft malt, beer and spirits industry experts.
The conference finale is the Malt Cup Awards Ceremony on Friday, February 12th. 2021 marks the third year of this one-of-a-kind malt competition, which was remotely judged by a nationwide team of 74 maltsters, brewers, distillers, researchers and Cicerones. Entry analysis and judging was organized by the Montana State University - Barley, Malt and Brewing Quality Lab. Medals will be awarded for the top three winners in both 2021 categories, Pale Malt and Pilsner Malt.
Registration for the 2021 Craft Malt Conference includes access to the full conference schedule, and is available both to CMG membership and non-members. Register here.
Media interested in attending the virtual Craft Malt Conference are eligible for comped conference participation. Please contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com to participate in the conference, and with all other media inquiries about the Craft Maltsters Guild.
ABOUT THE CRAFT MALTSTERS GUILD
Formed in 2013 by eight craft malthouses, the Craft Maltsters Guild’s mission is to promote and sustain the tradition of craft malting in North America, provide services and resources to the Association’s members, and uphold the highest quality and safety standards for Craft Maltsters. Learn more about the Craft Maltsters Guild at www.craftmalting.com.
Comrade Brewing Donates Over $8K to Sierra Nevada Camp Fire Relief Fund
Comrade Brewing Company is proud to announce a $8,818.50 donation to the Sierra Nevada Camp Fire Relief Fund.
DENVER, CO— Comrade Brewing Company is proud to announce a $8,818.50 donation to the Sierra Nevada Camp Fire Relief Fund to support general community relief efforts for the catastrophic wildfires that roared through Butte County in Northern California on Nov. 8, 2018.
In November, Comrade Brewing joined over 1,400 craft breweries across the United States to brew Resilience IPA with the intent to donate 100 percent of sales to support victims of the Camp Fire.
“We jumped at the opportunity to support Sierra Nevada and their national fundraising campaign after learning about the devastation and thinking of all those affected,” explains Comrade Brewing founder, David Lin. “Reception has been tremendous from the Colorado community. There were numerous people, who don’t drink beer, that heard about this collaborative effort and came to the brewery to “buy” pints and just donate without taking the beer.”
Comrade’s iteration of Resilience IPA was tapped at the brewery on December 15 and was available for just over 2 months.
Marks Lanham, Comrade’s Brewmaster, stated, “This beer wouldn’t have been possible without the logistics from Sierra Nevada Brewing and the generosity of our raw materials suppliers. BSG CraftBrewing, and Yakima Chief Hops donated ingredients and Lightning Labels donated supplies.” Comrade also donated yeast and hops for the beer.
Make your donation at: https://www.goldenvalley.bank/Community-Foundation.aspx
ABOUT COMRADE BREWING
Launched in 2014 by David Lin and Marks Lanham, Comrade Brewing is often noted as one of Denver and Colorado’s masters of the India Pale Ale style, home of the flagship Superpower IPA. Comrade also brews the World Beer Cup® winning Yellow Fever Chile Beer, the Koffee Kream Extra Coffee Milk Stout, and the REDCON Irish-Style Red Ale year-round, as well an array of rotating seasonals and collaboration beers with fellow brewing companies. Comrade’s trophy case now sports 2014 & 2015 silver medals and a 2018 bronze medal from Great American Beer Festival® and a 2016 World Beer Cup® gold award, among others. Find the brewery online at comradebrewing.com.