Industry pioneers and government officials to pull back curtain on workings and challenges of the complex system that puts alcoholic beverages in consumers’ hands
WHAT:
The Texas Lyceum’s upcoming conference, “Raising the Bar on Texas Spirits,” is scheduled to be a bit ‘stronger’ than most. Held in Dripping Springs on Nov. 5-6, the conference will dive into the history and workings of Texas’s alcohol beverage industry and feature tastings of Texas-produced spirits. Some of the topics covered in discussions with well-known industry pioneers and government officials will include: the history of making and distributing alcohol in Texas, the industry’s roughly $25 billion annual economic impact on the state, the roles of governmental bodies and laws regulating the industry, changing consumer trends and preferences amid COVID-19, and current issues and policies affecting manufacturers, distributors and retailers.
WHERE/REGISTER:
- Dripping Springs, TX
- Register for virtual attendance; In-person attendance sold out
- *In-person media attendance requests will be handled on individual basis – please email Shaelyn Stone directly.
WHEN:
- Thursday, Nov. 5 – Friday, Nov. 6
- *Virtual attendees can select which portions of the event to attend from the schedule below.
SCHEDULE:
Thursday, Nov. 5
- The Role of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC)
- General Bentley Nettles, Executive Director, TABC; Moderator Blair Watson, Brown Distributing
- Fireside Chat: The Godfathers of Texas Beer, Wine and Spirits
- Brock Wagner, Saint Arnold Brewing Company; Dan Garrison, Garrison Brothers; Susan Auler, Fall Creek Vineyards; Moderator Tam Hawkins, Texas Lyceum Class of 2018
Friday, Nov. 6
- History of Texas Alcohol Beverage Industry
- Harry Schuhmacher, Beer Business Daily, Craft Business Daily, & Wine and Spirits Daily
- Economic Impact on Texas
- Glenn Hegar, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
- How to Make a Regulatory Model Designed in the 1930s Work in 2020
- Lance Lively, Texas Package Stores Association; Charles Vallhonrat, Texas Craft Brewer’s Guild; Stephanie Houston, Ruminate Distilling; Todd Kercheval, Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of Texas; Keith Strama, Wholesale Beer Distributors of Texas; Moderator Mark Shilling, Big Thirst Consulting
- From Beer-to-Go to Cocktail-to-Go, Now What?
- Gregory Lamantia, Favorite Brands; Joanna Salinas, Still Austin Whiskey Co.; Michael Graham, Austin Beerworks; David JaBour, Twin Liquors; Kareem Hajjar, Hajjar/Peters, LLP; Kelsey Steufert, Texas Restaurant Association; Moderator John Kroll, Texas Lyceum Class of 2009
- The Last Mile: Getting the Drink in Your Hand
- Alphonse Dotson, Dotson-Cervantes Wines; Mike Cameron, Devils River Whiskey; Dya Campos, HEB; Adam Wright, Kelsey Steufert, Texas Restaurant Association; Spindletap Brewery; Moderator Dewey Brackin, Brackin Schwartz & Associated
- The Future of the Industry – Next Battle Grounds from 87th St, William Chris Vineyards, Rick Donley, The Beer Alliance of Texas; Moderator Mia McCord, TCCRI
