Raising the Bar on Texas Spirits
November 5-7, 2020 | Dripping Springs, Texas

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The alcohol beverage industry in Texas has a substantial impact on the Lone Star State. Each year, wine contributes $13 billion, beer contributes over $5 billion, and $7.5 billion comes from distilled spirits to the state’s economy. Over the last decade, producers of notable Texas spirits have become international household names, the number of Craft Breweries in Texas has increased to over 340, and Distilleries to over 130, winning numerous international awards for excellence in the process. Dripping Springs and the Hill Country are the second-largest wine tourist destination in the United States and the location for The Texas Lyceum November Conference, “Raising the Bar on Texas Spirits.” 

The Three Tier System of Alcohol Distribution was created after Prohibition for the Regulation and Taxation of Alcohol, and consists of Manufacturers, Distributors, and Retailers. Texans will occasionally enjoy a tasty beverage yet may not be aware of the complex system that gets this drink to their hand.

In this conference, we plan to explore:

• the history of the alcohol beverage industry in Texas from prohibition going forward
• the overall economic impact on Texas
• the role of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission
• federal regulation and how that impacts the Industry in Texas
• trends in consumer demand, from taste preferences of younger generations to the impact of the ongoing pandemic.
• innovative manufacturers, distributors and retailers, large and small, and highlight the issues and policies in Texas affecting them going forward into the 87^th Legislative Session
• the response of the Industry to the COVID-19 outbreak
• hear from the pioneers of the Industry on how they started in Texas for our Fireside Chat, including Brock Wagner, founder of Saint Arnold Brewing Company.

We hope that you will join us in Dripping Springs for this conference, to learn more about the Alcohol Beverage Industry, tour some of the amazing breweries and distilleries in Dripping Springs and partake in curated tastings of the best Beer, Wine and Spirits that Texas produces.

Register Virtually

Conference Schedule:

Thursday, November 5

Registration

Welcome Reception

Dinner

The Role of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC)
General Bentley Nettles, Executive Director, TABC and moderator Blair Watson, Brown Distributing Co. 

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, and moderator Tam Hawkins, Texas Lyceum Class of 2018

DJ Tastings and Make & Take Hospitality Suite 

Friday, November 6

Breakfast

Welcome Remarks

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, Todd Kercheval, Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of Texas, Stephanie Houston, Ruminate Distilling, Keith Strama, Wholesale Beer Distributors of Texas, and moderator Mark Shilling, BigThirst Consulting 

Brunch Spirits Tasting

From Beer-to-Go to Cocktail-to-Go, Now What? Consumer Demand and Future Regulation in Texas
Gregory Lamantia, Favorite Brands, Kelsey Erickson Streufert, Texas Restaurant Association, Joanna Salinas, Still Austin Whiskey Co., Michael Graham, Austin Beerworks,  David JaBour, Twin Liquors, Kareem Hajjar, Hajjar / Peters, LLP, and moderator John Kroll, Texas Lyceum Class of 2009

The Last Mile: Getting the Drink in Your Hand: Discussion on the Retail
Alphonse Dotson, Dotson-Cervantes Wines, Kelsey Erickson Streufert, Texas Restaurant Association, Mike Cameron, Devils River Whiskey, Dya Campos, HEB, Adam Wright, Spindletap Brewery, and moderator Dewey Brackin, Brackin Schwartz & Associates

Lunch 

Taste of Texas Whisk(e)y
Daniel Whittington, Chancellor Wizard Academy and Spencer Whelan, Texas Whiskey Association

The Future of the Industry – Next Battle Grounds From 87th Session to 2030
Representative Chris Paddie, Greg Lamantia, L&F Distributors, Chris Brundrett, William Chris, Rick Donley, Beer Alliance of Texas, Joanna Salinas, Still Austin Whiskey Co., and moderator Mia McCord, TCCRI 

Transportation to Treaty Oak Distilling

Tour of Treaty Oak Distilling

Transportation to Jester King Brewery

Tasting at Jester King Brewery 

Transportation to Camp Lucy

Reception

Salon Dinners: Whiskey, Wine, or Beer Tasting

Cedar Valley Band, Tastings and Make-and-Take Hospitality Campfires. 

Saturday, November 7

*Executive Committee Meeting

The Executive Committee Meeting will be outside at Hudson’s on Mercer. 381 Mercer St, Dripping Springs, TX 78620.

*Board Meeting

The Board Meeting will be outside at Hudson’s on Mercer. 381 Mercer St, Dripping Springs, TX 78620. Brunch will be provided.

*By Invitation

Register Virtually