The Daily Meal Names The 30 Most Powerful People In Drink-top Corporate Heads, Critics And Government Officials That Influence How And What We Imbibe

Dedicated to covering the true tastemakers in the food and beverage world, The Daily Meal-Spanfeller Media Group's mega food site-has unveiled its first annual list of the 30 Most Powerful People in Drink. More than a roundup of high-profile bartenders and barristas, the list highlights the most influential corporate heads, critics, government officials, entrepreneurs, and other notable figures across the beverage industry-from wine, beer and spirits, to coffee and non-alcoholic drinks.

"We drink liquids of many kinds every day, from our morning coffee to our bottled water, our soft drink to our glass of wine or cocktail, with little thought about the people who had a hand in creating or selling them," said Colman Andrews, Editorial Director, The Daily Meal. "This list looks at the individuals who wield the power to impact what and how we imbibe, whether through enforcing policies, instigating trends or controlling market shares."

Among the 30 Most Powerful People in Drink are:

- Howard Schultz (CEO, Starbucks)-Since starting as Director of Marketing in 1981 and later buying the company for $3.8 million in 1987, Schultz has grown Starbucks into an international coffee conglomerate with over 17,000 stores in 58 countries. Now a billionaire, Schultz has changed the way consumers view coffee, and also holds a significant share in the smoothie franchise, Jamba Juice.

- Charlie Papazian (President, Brewers Association)-Educated as a nuclear engineer, Papazian founded and serves as president of the Brewers Association, the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers, their craft beers and the community of brewing enthusiasts. The Brewers Association represents more than 70 percent of the brewing industry, and its members make more than 99 percent of the beer brewed in the U.S. Papazian is also the author of The Complete Joy of Home Brewing, the first (and for a decade, the only) American mass-market book that offered in-depth information on how to brew beer in the home.

- Zoe Sekoutis (Founder, BluePrint Cleanse)-A former communications professional, Sakoutis first started BluePrint Cleanse-the three-day juice cleanse craze that has spread across the country-to help busy people counteract the effects of periodic overindulgence. The liquid regimen is now favored by everyone from dieters looking to lose weight to celebrities striving to get red-carpet-ready.

- Debbie Weir (CEO, MADD)-As the chief executive officer of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Weir leads MADD's efforts to provide support services to drunk and drugged victims across the country. Since its inception in 1980, MADD has nearly saved over 300,000 lives and counting.

- Robert Parker, Jr. (Wine Writer/Expert)-This leading American wine critic-known for his 100-point scale wine ratings and his newsletter The Wine Advocate-boasts an international influence. Despite controversy over his scores and reviews, Parker has a significant impact on American wine buying and pricing.

- Indra Nooyi (Chairman and CEO, PepsiCo.)-Consistently ranked among the world's most powerful women, Nooyi is the powerhouse behind PepsiCo., the second largest food and beverage business on the globe. Named president and CFO in 2001, Nooyi has directed the company's global strategy for over a decade.

- Marvin Shanken (Founder, M. Shanken Communications)-Shanken started his career in real estate and investment banking before launching M. Shanken Communications. The company's publications include Wine Spectator, one of the top consumer and business publications considered a benchmark by some in the wine industry.

- David Wondrich (Cocktail Historian/Author)-Wondrich is the world's foremost expert on the history of the American cocktail.