WO2001029734A2

WO2001029734A2 - System and method for the purchase of beverages

Info

Publication number: WO2001029734A2
Application number: PCT/US2000/028695
Authority: WO
Inventors: William P. Roesing
Original assignee: Joseph E. Seagram & Sons, Inc.
Priority date: 1999-10-20
Filing date: 2000-10-17
Publication date: 2001-04-26
Also published as: WO2001029734A8; AU1092301A

Abstract

The computer system includes a central computer which communicates with a plurality of remote terminals via the internet or similar connection. The central computer receives data from the remote terminals regarding aspects of a future social, business or similar gathering. The central computer accesses several databases to calculate a predicted beverage consumption, and may suggest further goods and services for the gathering. The remote terminal receives the predicted beverage consumption data and further includes means for placing the order with a local retail establishment.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE PURCHASE OF BEVERAGES

Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to the selection and ordering of beverages over a network. More specifically the present invention provides a system and method for creating and determining general and specific user preferences and arriving at a listing of distilled spirits, beer, wine and other beverages containing alcohol, and nonalcoholic beverages for subsequent purchase .

Background of the Invention

The Internet has provided a method of purchasing goods and services for a number of years now with the volume of Internet business growing dramatically. In the beverage industry, purveyors of wines have had available to them various planning software where individuals could input information about a particular party or a meal, and the appropriate wine recommendation could be output. This has been in the past, the province of individual software manufacturers where the software is run on an individual ' s personal computer at home . With the advent of the Internet this service can now be offered to a large number of people via Internet access. Moreover, wines can now be ordered on the Internet for home delivery or pick-up at a store. This situation has not translated significantly to distilled spirits, which are beverages that contain alcohol derived from a distillation process rather than from vinting or brewing. Spirits include such beverages as gin, vodka, rum, cordials and whiskies among others . The distilled spirits category also Includes beverages like brandy that are first vinted and then distilled. The sale and marketing of distilled spirits face many obstacles that must be taken into account in any Internet venture. For example, distilled spirits, like beer and wine, can only be sold to persons of legal drinking age by state licensed retailers. Therefore, an individual purveyor of distilled spirits must be licensed in each individual state if that organization is to provide distilled spirits via Internet sales . This is true for beer and wine as well but there are many fewer retailers of spirits. These licenses are limited in number by state laws and It is common for such laws to make spirits licenses more expensive or fewer in number. In certain states, spirits are sold by law only in state-owned liquor stores while beer and wine are far more widely available in grocery, convenience and specialty stores .

An additional obstacle for spirits, an obstacle that is common to beer and wine In most jurisdictions, is that distilled spirits cannot be shipped across state-lines to a consumer by a retailer, distributor or producer. This provides a further barrier to the Internet sale of distilled spirits when the commercial entity is located in one state and the ultimate consumer is located In another state.

Wine has appeal in the Internet context because there are thousands of different wines from hundreds of vineyards. Wine drinkers frequently wish to search for a particular type of wine from a particular vineyard produced in a particular year. Frequently there are few bottles meeting the specifications in the marketplace. Internet sites can serve as a sort of matching service that helps the consumer find and purchase the desired bottle.

Spirits do not generally share in this circumstance. While there are some hard-to-find bottles of aged whiskies and brandies, the vast majority of the demand for spirits relates to brands that are available in many of the aforementioned retail outlets. Little attention has been paid to the particular opportunities presented by the Internet to the spirits category or to opportunities presented by the Internet to an Integrated approach involving all types of alcoholic beverages on a relatively equal basis. Most Internet sites associated with alcoholic beverages in general or distilled spirits alone are limited to providing a modest description of a short list of brands or to providing the opportunity to send gifts via a network of relationships with local retailers. Further, the selection of gifts of distilled spirits is generally limited by the site to premium or super premium brands, thereby not offering the wide variety of distilled spirits that might be preferred by certain consumers .

Thus the marketing of distilled spirits over the Internet has been very limited.

At the same time the category of distilled spirits still is a very large market in the United States . Tens of millions of Americans drink or offer distilled spirits every year. Distilled spirits and drinks generally are driven by the Individual tastes of -consumers that vary from region to region, by gender and age, occasion and circumstance. Further, demographic information exists concerning these patterns of taste regarding the consumption of distilled spirits and other beverages across sectors of the adult population.

When an individual is trying to plan to entertain at home or in a like setting, there is a particular difficulty that is faced In trying to determine what selection of distilled spirits and other beverages is appropriate for that particular social event. While an individual host or hostess may know the ages and general Information about people attending the party, specific preferences of individuals may not be well known. This often leads the host or hostess to purchase beverages that might be acceptable but are not necessarily the favorites of the individuals who will be attending the party. Further, with spirits In particular, there is a lack of substitutability of one brand for another. Given this potential for miscalculation, the host or hostess may purchase far too much of one type of spirits and not nearly enough of another. If the option that is considered to solve this problem is the purchase of standard

750 ml. bottles of an array of spirits, the purchaser will be confronted with a very high cost and the possibility of a considerable amount of beverage left over. The consequence of this obstacle Is that frequently the consumer decides to refrain from serving spirits at all .

It would therefore be useful if a method could be presented whereby an individual who Is having a social event could input information about the guests who would be attending and receive a consolidated list of the beverage types and quantities in response that would most likely be consumed at the party. In this fashion only the approximate amount of distilled spirits and other beverages would be purchased that would be necessary for the party.

What would be truly useful would be a system and method for the purchase of beverages that allows for a host or hostess to reasonably accurately predict the consumption of alcoholic and other beverages for a particular occasion. Summary of the Invention

It is therefore an objective of the present Invention to allow a convenient and reasonably accurate method of predicting over a network the consumption of alcoholic spirits, wine, beers and other beverages and related goods needed in a particular circumstance and arranging for the purchase of such beverages and goods In a legally appropriate fashion. It is a further objective of the present Invention to allow the prediction of the appropriate quantities of Individual beverages to be served at a social function.

It is yet another objective to facilitate an exchange of information via the Internet related to the purchase of alcoholic and other beverages . .

It is a further objective of the present invention to allow users to specify general terms concerning a social occasion and have a list of predicted beverages delivered to them or pre- assembled for pick-up through an Internet arranged or initiated licensed retailer transaction. No aspect of this invention would circumvent the legally established three-tier system of producers, distributors and retailers in the United States . In addition, every transaction and marketing initiative would comply with the laws of states and localities.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to allow a user to specify a cooperating local purveyor of alcoholic and other beverages to whom a list of predicted beverage consumption would be sent for subsequent purchase.

It is a further objective of the present Invention to allow for the purchase of related goods and services based upon the social, business, or other occasion at which beverages are to be served.

It is a further objective of the present invention to allow a recommendation to be made of types of alcoholic beverages based upon food that is to be served on the particular occasion.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to allow a user to input into a model the stocks of beverages currently in the possession of the user to allow a consolidated list of beverages to be purchased for the social occasion or other circumstance to be generated.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to predict alcoholic beverages that are to be consumed based upon demographic and similar information of guests that are to be present at a particular social occasion.

It is yet another objective of the present Invention-to provide retailers with packaging for the purchase selection that is not only useful for transporting the selected beverages, but also for organizing and displaying the choices during the party.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to organize beverage orders for other circumstances, such as when going on vacation or serving beverages in a business setting.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide written recipes and pictorial and video preparation demonstrations for cocktails appropriate to the event if the user desires .

It is yet another objective of the present invention to create a database comprising voluntary insertions of information from individuals regarding their beverage brand and taste preferences. Such a database would also allow hosts and hostesses inviting data base participants to purchase the particular preferred brands of particular guests in appropriate bottle sizes to minimize leftovers .

It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide specific brand selections, which, in combination, will provide the host or hostess with the ability to select from a range of cumulative cost options for the assembled beverage purchase . it is yet another objective of the present invention to offer the host or hostess recommendations for particular cocktails for the event based on the invention's ability to predict appropriate cocktails based on the supplied information regarding the guest list. A cocktail is a drink with a combination of ingredients including one or more spirits .

It is yet another objective of the present invention to offer the user an incentive to return to the site of the present Invention after the party to report on such questions as whether the predictions of beverage consumption and preference were accurate .

It is yet another objective of the present invention to offer the user guidance regarding catering needs and available catering services as well as other party-related services like music, rentals, decorations and to offer the user opportunities to contact such service providers . it is yet another objective of the present invention to offer the user a prediction regarding the beverage needs for a vacation and to facilitate the purchase of those needs from a retailer close to the vacation site. The present invention comprises a system and method to facilitate the purchase of alcoholic and other beverages over a network, specifically but without limitation the Internet, by individual users of the system who desire to have a social function at which alcoholic and other beverages will be served. Such a user would, via a personal computer, or videophone access a particular site for the determination of the menu of beverages to be served. In practice, the Individual is asked by the processor of the present invention a number of questions. For example, the user will be asked how many people are expected at the occasion, what would be the hours of the party, if a meal is to be served and if so what is to be served, if there are specific beverage brands desired or whether the individual would like some suggestions as to what beverages to serve, whether or not the Individual knows of the preferences of any of the guests who will be attending the social occasion, what beverages are already on hand at the residence or facility, whether or not any specific individuals are already in a consumer data base of the present invention, and the budget for the social occasion allocated to alcoholic and other beverages . This list Is by no means exhaustive and Is presented by way of illustration only. Once this information is conveyed to the processor of the present invention over the Internet, information is compared to a variety of databases that are a part of the present invention. For example, the processor of the present invention has a series of associated databases to help in planning for the ordering and potential consumption of alcoholic beverages for the social occasion. Thus a database of available alcoholic spirits is present as is a database of non-alcoholic drinks. To the extent that individual consumers desire to register with the processor of the present invention, they can register their preferences for alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, which preferences are stored in a consumer preference database of the present invention. Further, a demographic information data base Is also present which stores information concerning demographic factors for individuals and groups of individuals and the alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages preferred by those demographic groups.

The data base of the present invention also comprises software which can instruct the processor to make a series of calculations and predictions for consumption of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages based upon the food that is to be consumed at the social occasion. In the wine community, this is referred to as "pairings".

However, such a pairings data base does not exist for distilled spirits except for limited recommendations in varied sources . A pairings database for all beverages appropriate to social occasions comprises part of the present invention as well.

Once the user's inputs are provided to the processor of the present invention, the various data bases and consumer preference information are brought together to create a listing of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages that are recommended for the particular social occasion. Included In this list are some brand alternatives. When selecting premium products, such as liquors, consumers are extremely selective about brands, often foregoing the drink altogether If their preferred brand is not available. The alternatives within the suggestion database take this Into account. At this point, the user has a number of options available as well as a specific recommended option. Armed with a listing of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, the consumer can simply output that list for subsequent purchase at local retailers, or the consumer can ask the processor of the present invention to suggest sources for the purchase of the alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages required. Source suggestions include whether the retailer offers appropriate packaging and/or offers discounts for using the web service. In this case, the database also comprises a list of retailers for the alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages desired. If the user so specifies, the processor of the present invention can formulate an order which can then be relayed either to a retailer in the specific locale in which the social function is to take place or to a retailer selected from a list of retailers by the user based an other specifications such as proximity to the user's home or place of business. In either case, a listing can be presented to the retailer where the entire package of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages can then be assembled. It should be noted that several retailers might be contacted if the drinks being purchased cannot be purchased at one place . A key aspect of the present invention is that the-prediction for the -consumption of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages Is based on a model of the quantity that is to be consumed, both on average and by identified guest information, as well as the specific brands to be consumed. In this fashion a user would be told to purchase a 750ml. of a popular spirit, but only purchase two or three single servings of some other spirit which is not as widely consumed by groups with the specified profile. Thus the consumer gets a reasonably precise quantity purchase thereby avoiding over- purchase and subsequent storage issues when alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages must be stored for long periods of time.

The processor of the present invention also comprises a "related services" database, which allows the system to suggest other products, and services that may be required for the particular social function. For example, a user may require a particular assortment of fruits or other drink ingredients, a large number of plastic cups, paper plates, tablecloths, etc. which would be purchased from a retailer different from the retailer who would be selling the alcoholic beverages . Suggestions for related services are provided to the user again with the option of either outputting a list of related goods and services or the option of branching to the web site for individual retailers who sell the predicted goods which would be predicted as necessary for the social occasion. The user can then either branch to those particular web sites to place an order for the goods and services that have been specified to the user by the processor of the present invention. Alternatively, the present invention can place the order at a retailer that is close to the location of the user.

As can be seen, the present invention will allow users who are located In one state to have predictions made for consumption of alcoholic beverages and related goods and services for a particular social occasion and orders for those goods and services be placed to individual retailers who are located in the same locale at which the function is to be given. In this manner, issues associated with interstate delivery of alcoholic beverages are totally avoided, and the user has the convenience of having orders placed and prepared for subsequent pickup at the user's convenience . Business Model

An additional aspect of the present Invention is that revenue for the operator of the present invention can be derived from a number of sources. First, a user fee could be provided simply for using the services. However, this may be a deterrent to individuals who do not wish to pay for such a service. Alternatively, revenue can be derived from commissions, service charges or advertising fees paid by producers of beverages, food, and party-related service providers. In addition, advertising and service fee revenue can be paid to the operator by retailers who will be involved in the sale of the alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages to visitors to the invention's site. Commissions, service charges and advertising fees may also be paid by retailers and service firms Involved in selling other related goods and services to visitors to the invention's site. In addition, advertising fees may be charged to providers of related goods and services to the business activity associated with this invention without those providers actually offering their goods or services through the site of invention. For example, a site related to travel services might choose to advertise on the web-site of the present invention. Another resource of revenue can come from providers of goods and services shown or referenced in features provided on the site of the present invention. In some instances, a provider of goods or services involved in the exchanges of information between the operator of the site or sites associated with this invention may pay a fee or provide other form of compensation in support of the selections made by the operators. Further, co- branding of the web-site of the present invention can also occur where a particular brand has a prominent location for its own logo on the web-site screen. In this fashion, revenue can be derived from a percent of the sale, or some like formula, that is made to the user by virtue of the recommendations of the processor of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 illustrates the overall architecture of the present invention.

Figure 2 illustrates the general data processing schema of the present invention.

Figure 3 illustrates the more specific data flow of information for the present invention.

Figure 4 illustrates the continuation of the data flow of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Preferred Embodiment

As noted above the present invention comprises a system and method for the determination and subsequent ordering of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and related products and services over a network, preferably but without limitation, the Internet . The system allows a plurality of users to access a processor comprising a number of different data bases all of which assist in the task of predicting the consumption of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages for a social occasion. The subsequent predicted amount can then be used by the consumer to place an order or can be used to place an order in an automated fashion at a retailer in the locale of the consumer.

Referring to Figure 1 the architecture of the present invention is illustrated. A plurality of users 10, 12,14 are connected to a network 16, preferably but not without limitation the Internet . Such users connect to the web site or server 18 of the present invention, which provides for the calculation, in a flexible way, of the predicted consumption of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for a social occasion. Connected to the processor 18 of the present invention is a series of databases. For example, a database 22 of all alcoholic spirits that are potentially available is collected and updated on a periodic basis. Further a database of non-alcoholic beverages 24 is also similarly compiled and updated on a regular basis so that consumers can have the latest selection of available beverages for any social occasion. A database of different foods 26 is also part of the overall system. This database together with a consumption prediction algorithm 20 and a calculation algorithm for food/beverage pairings 28 provide input to the consumption predictor 20 for ultimate output of the type of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages that are recommended to be consumed at the social occasion in question. An education database 27 provides demonstrations for the users 10, 12, 14 on how to prepare various cocktails.

In order to predict the quantity of beverage types to be consumed, a consumer preference database 30 is part of the present invention. This consumer preference database comprises specific information about specific consumer's preferences. For example, an individual consumer may choose to have his or her preferences for alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages stored as part of the database of the present invention. This consumer preference database 30 is therefore created by the input of individuals whether or not they have been invited to particular social occasions . This database may also be updated or created by the host/hostess after the party. Thus by publicizing the existence of the present invention, consumers will be encouraged to input their specific preferences to the data base of the present invention so that, when they are invited to particular social occasions, their preferences can be made known.

Similarly, a demographic database 32 is also connected to the processor of the present invention. This demographic data base comprises information on various demographic groups divided by age, region, income, and any other factors which can be associated with the consumption of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including what preferences might exist in each group. Thus individual users 10, 12,14 who access the processor 18 of the present invention can simply provide information on their geographic location which in turn will imply certain types of beverage consumption from the demographic database 32.

The processor of the present invention 18 will also make available to the user 10, 12, 14 a list of retailers who provide certain related services . This retailer database 34 is provided to the users with links to the individual retailer's sites. Thereafter when a user is provided a list of retailers or related servers from the retailer listing 34 the consumer can then proceed to the web site for, for example, certain food types 40, paper goods 42, entertainment services 46, or various other services. In another embodiment, related service retailers may advertise for a fee on the web site 18. The advertisement is a hot link that takes the user 10, 12, 14 to the advertiser's web page. Users 10, 12, 14 can also identify whether they prefer display packaging that fits the theme of the occasion. The present invention also comprises a smart database that allows the processor to suggest related goods and services to the user. This related goods and services data base 36 comprises not only a listing of potentially related goods and services but also comprises a knowledge based program that allows the processor to present to the user a list of services which are specifically related to the type of occasion input by the user to the processor of the present invention 18. Each time a retailer is designated to the user, the retailer essentially receives advertising services. Thus, having the retailer pay a fee for each referral generates revenue for the web site owner. Finally to the extent that the individual users 10, 12,14 require the present invention to actually arrange or make the purchases of related goods and services or alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, the present invention also comprises a link to payment services 38 which are known in the art and which allow the present invention to request payment information such as credit card or debit card information from users, where legal, and present that information for processing to the outside processor 38 and to receive authorization for payment for the alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and other related services or goods which are to be delivered to the users .

Referring to Figure 2 the generalized processing of the present invention is illustrated. A user initially provides input 50 to the system, which comprises a wide variety of data necessary to the planning for the consumption of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. User input such as number of people attending the occasion, hours of the party, the type of meal being served, the type of drinks desired, or whether suggestions for drinks are to be made, specific preferences of guests by category and/or brand, the amount of beverages on hand, whether or not you believe any of your guests are in the consumer preference data base 30, and the amount of money to be spent are specified. This list is not exhaustive and is not meant as a limitation.

Once the data is input to the system, various data bases are checked 52 to obtain further processing of the information which then allows the output of a list of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages which are suggested to be served at the party 54. Thereafter the user can elect to purchase the goods 56 or place an order through the system of the present invention for the subsequent purchase and delivery of those goods in a locale where the social occasion is to take place. The web site owner has the option of requiring additional fees from retailers if orders are placed by the users .

Referring to Figure 3 the detailed data flow of the present invention is illustrated. The system begins by users being queried by the system for how many people will be at the occasion 60. The hours of the party 62 are also elicited as is information on whether or not a meal is to be served 64 and if so what type of meal .

The system then queries the user regarding whether drinks are to be offered 70 on the occasion. Brand preferences 72 are also elicited from the user in the event that specific brands of drinks, whether alcoholic or otherwise, are to be offered. The user then has the option of proceeding to the consumer preference data base 74 for a list of specific individuals who may have their personal preferences listed in the database. In this instance, the user inputs the names of those who are invited to the social occasion and, if any of the individuals are present, their preferences for alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages are listed. A listing of beverages to be served is then created and displayed for the user 76 for subsequent processing.

An alternative option available to the user is to allow the user to specify whether a specific special occasion 84 is the reason for the social gathering. If no special occasion is present, a generalized listing 88 of beverages available is processed according to the information 60, 62, and 64 previously presented and a suggested list of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages 90 is created. Alternatively, if a special occasion is the reason for the party, the information input by the user is input to the system to create an alternative listing of drinks to be served 86 which is then processed to create the suggested list. For example, eggnog is served at Christmas time whereas other drinks are served during the summer.

Once the user specifies whether a specific special occasion 84 is the reason, another option available to the user is to view educational demonstrations on mixing cocktails . The user is prompted 87 as to whether or not an educational program is desired. If the user request these programs 89 real time, color displays with audio instruction on how to mix various cocktails will be provided. In another embodiment, though not shown here, hot links for specialty gourmet sites with recipes, cooking demonstrations, and food items can also be included. The owner can use specific brands in the demonstrations if a manufacturer pays an advertising fee. Thus, the owner has an added avenue of revenue . Other inputs by the user such as the spending limits 66 are also used to process the suggested list of drinks . For example information on the meal being served is used to suggest certain alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to be served 68. The combined lists based upon spending limits 66, meal to be served 68, and suggested lists based upon brand preferences 76 and/or special occasions 90 are combined and compared with information presented by the user concerning alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages already on hand 78 at the location at which the occasion is to take place. Beverage calculator 80 then determines, with additional input from a soft drink listing 82, what the consolidated list 92 of beverages, which are recommended to be purchased, will be. The consumer then has the option to augment that list 94 with additional preferences that the user feels have not been accounted for by the processor of the present invention to arrive at a final consolidated listing of beverages of an alcoholic and non-alcoholic nature which are to be served at the social occasion 96.

Referring to Figure 4 the detailed data flow of the present invention is further illustrated.

The user is next prompted by the system of the present invention to determine whether related goods or services are desired 100. If the user does not desire any additional related goods or services from other retailers, the user is presented with a list of retailers 102 from whom the recommended listing of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages can be purchased. If the user desires such a list, a list of retailers in the area in which the user is located is presented to the user 104. This related goods information is based on information presented during the data-gathering segment of the present invention wherein the user specifies a zip code for example .

The user then has an option to place an order for the alcoholic beverages desired 116. If the user elects not to place an order but to simply have a list output the system will present a listing to the user 118 for subsequent printing. If the user desires to purchase any of the alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, the user then proceeds to an on line purchasing methodology such as VISA or MasterCard or Cybercash known in the art where the site of the invention may participate in the facilitation of the transaction without being considered a licensed retail party to the transaction 120.

If the user does desire to be apprised of related goods and services 100 a related goods and services data base 106 is accessed. From that related services list 106 a specific list 108 of services that are relevant to the particular occasion for which the party is being given is generated. From that list a list of potential providers is also given 110. The user is then similarly given an option whether the user wishes to purchase any of the related goods or services 112. If the user does not desire to purchase goods and services, a listing is output to the user 114. In the event that the user does desire to purchase related goods and services the user is given the option to place the order using normal electronic commerce methodologies known in the art 122.

Although the embodiment described herein is directed to party planning, the ordering service can be used for any type of occasion. Such occasions include, but are not limited to, office parties, receptions, family reunions, art exhibits, and the like. Although the embodiment described herein is directed to preferences for spirits and liquors, this application can be used for other premium products. Such products include, but are not limited to, brands of wine and beer.

The system and method for the purchase of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and related goods and services over a network has been shown. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other types of purchase may also be made by a system of the type described above. Further, the data input to the system is not meant to be limiting but is only illustrative in nature. The more information that is provided to the system, the more accuracy can be presented with respect to the final list of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages generated. Thus the present invention is limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto .

Claims

What Is Claimed Is:

1. A computer system including: a central computer including means for receiving data, said data including a user' s predictions of aspects of a future gathering of people; said central computer including a processing means further including a means for calculating predicted beverage consumption at the future gathering of people; and said central computer including means for communicating said predicted beverage consumption to a user.

2. The computer system of Claim 1 wherein said means for calculating a predicted beverage consumption relates, at least in part, to alcoholic beverage consumption.

3. The computer system of Claim 2 wherein said means for receiving data includes a plurality of remote terminals, and wherein said means for communicating communicates to a respective one of said plurality of remote terminals from which said data was received.

4. The computer system of Claim 3 wherein said plurality of remote terminals include means for allowing a user to modify said predicted beverage consumption thereby generating an order, and communicating said order to a selected beverage sales facility.

5. The computer system of Claim 4 wherein at least a portion of said plurality of remote terminals include means for automating payment to said selected beverage sales facility.

6. The computer system of Claim 2 further including a database of available alcoholic beverage brands, wherein said means for calculating predicted beverage consumption chooses from said database of available alcoholic beverage brands.

7. The computer system of Claim 6 further including a database of available non-alcoholic beverage brands, wherein said means for calculating predicted beverage consumption further chooses from said database of available non-alcoholic beverage brands .

8. The computer system of Claim 2 further including a database of different foods cross- referenced with compatible beverages, wherein said data includes information regarding the expected foods served at said future gathering, and wherein said means for calculating predicted beverage consumption indexes said database of different foods in accordance with said information regarding the expected foods.

9. The computer system of Claim 2 further including a consumer preference database wherein potential participants at future gatherings can enter beverage preferences, wherein said user's predictions of aspects of a future gathering of people include an option of entering identification of participants at the future gathering, and wherein said means for calculating predicted beverage consumption indexes said consumer preference database in accordance with said identification of participants.

10. The computer system of Claim 9 wherein said consumer preference database further allows a potential participant to enter preferred consumption quantities.

11. The computer system of Claim 2 further including a demographic preferences database including beverage preferences of various demographic groups, wherein said data includes demographic characteristics of the participants in the future gathering of people, and wherein said means for calculating predicted beverage consumption indexes said demographic preferences database in accordance with said demographic characteristics.

12. The computer system of Claim 2 further including a database of beverage recipes which can be accessed by said plurality of remote terminals.

13. The computer system of Claim 2 wherein said processing means further including a means for calculating predicted requirements of non-beverage products at the future gathering of people.

14. The computer system of Claim 13 wherein said non-beverage products are selected from a group consisting of food, paper goods, and entertainment services.

15. The computer system of Claim 2 wherein said data includes a quantity of alcoholic beverages which is otherwise available to a user, and wherein said means for calculating predicted beverage consumption offsets, at least in part, said quantity of alcoholic beverages which is otherwise available.

16. The computer system of Claim 3 wherein said plurality of remote terminals communicate with said central computer over the internet.