Drink Up

By Brian Hartz | Tampa Bay Editor

Forget the Budweiser wagon pulled by the team of Clydesdales. There's a whole lot more to alcohol sales and distribution than there used to be.

Take Fintech. The Tampa firm is a leader in behind-the-scenes booze transactions, with a wide, varied and eclectic clientele that defies its hidden persona. Clients include nearly 4,000 alcohol distributors nationwide, as well as 450,000 retailers, such as bars, restaurants, liquor stores, grocery stores and even gas stations. Corporate names range from Walmart and Wawa to Publix and Trader Joe's.