Webinar: Alt Grain Spirits Roundtable

Description

When?: Tuesday, November 12th from 3-4 PM Eastern

What?:While corn, malt, rye and wheat command most of the attention in whiskey mash bills, craft spirits producers increasingly are experimenting with a wide array of alternative grains to create entirely new flavor experiences. Three prominent distillers of alt grain spirits detail the challenges and rewards of working with less traditional cereals—like oats, millet, sorghum and others—and how they’re differentiating their brands in the marketplace.

How Much?: Free to ACSA members; $59 for non-members

Who?:

Sonat Birnecker Hart Prior to opening KOVAL Distillery, one of the largest independent and female-owned craft distilleries in the US, Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart spent over a decade as a full professor in both the United States and Germany. In 2008, she gave up tenure in hopes of a different quality of life; one that would afford an opportunity for her to work with her husband, give up commuting, and return to the city she loved: Chicago. As President of KOVAL, she has spearheaded product development, distribution, and marketing, turning her family business into an international presence with availability in over 55 export markets. In addition to her leadership at KOVAL, Sonat is also involved in a number of philanthropic and public service organizations, and serves on the board of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) of Chicago. She was recently named Illinois Business Person of the Year by the National Small Business Association, is a federally appointed member of the Illinois Export Council (DEC), and has been inducted into the prestigious Disciples d’Escoffier.

Andy Garrison is the Head Distiller at Stone Barn Brandyworks (https://www.stonebarnbrandyworks.com/), and owner of Tuff Talk Distilling (https://www.tufftalkdistilling.com/). For over a decade he has produced an array of grain-to-glass spirits including avant garde whiskies and traditional fruit brandies while also providing custom distillation services to wineries. He has worked at several other Portland-area distilleries including New Deal Distillery and House Spirits Distillery and has completed the WSET level 3 in Spirits.

David Weglarz is the founder & distiller of StilL 630 Distillery in St. Louis, where he lives with his wife, Sidni, three sons, and a big white dog named Charley. With a passion for whiskey, gin, and rum, and sharing them with friends, David founded StilL 630 in 2011 and in the time since, it’s become the most awarded distillery in Missouri and one of the top in the country. When not at work (or kids’ activities), he enjoys reading, camping, and paddling on Missouri rivers.

Who Should Attend?: Beginner to Intermediate/General Audience