I'm using Anything Glows on a plane object because the default glow channel isn't bright enough.  I don't think I can post the object model because it's (C) modo stuff.  I've modified more things like the liquid object wedged through the glass mug instead of just placed inside it.  And I used Amapi Pro to scale the scene larger so that the cup is 4" instead of .02" tall.  This will allow for better lighting measurement so I'm not trying to deal with .005" shadow radius and such.  I can just use 1".  I brightened the background another 5%.  And I'll be using Best light rendering and see what happens.  I should end up with a better image to do postwork on.

www.youtube.com/user/ShawnDriscollCG