Looking forward to Beer Now

In early June I will be heading out to Great Falls, Montana to represent Brilliant Stream and the West Virginia beer community at the 2019 Beer Now Conference. Beer Now is a gathering of beer writers, bloggers, and communicators from around the country, who meet up annually to share stories, ideas, and skills on how to better communicate the essence and enjoyment of beer to the larger world.

Some of this year’s conference highlights for me include getting to visit a Malteurop facility, a company that is the world’s largest malt producer; participating in two European cheese and beer pairing activities, getting an insider’s view of the New York International Beer Competition, and visiting a bunch of small Montana breweries. I’m also looking forward to hearing sessions led by Jess Baker of CraftBeer.com, Chris Luecke of Pubcast Worldwide, Zach Rosen of Beeroretical Technologies, and Jeff Cioletti of DrinkableGlobe.com. These speakers never disappoint.

Probably as much or more than the formal educational events, a conference like this gives you time to get to know folks from across the country who closely follow the brewing industry. You learn so much, so quickly about the state of craft beer culture in different sections of this nation. Coming from a small market in a somewhat isolated beer area of the world, hearing from folks in other places really helps you put your home area in its proper perspective. It helps you see your strengths and weaknesses. It gives you plenty of ideas and strategies to advance your craft.

Beer Now is a time to expand your professional acquaintances and socialize with beer community friends. There are so many talented younger writers at these conferences. As an old guy, it’s great opportunity for me to learn the perspective of a younger generation of beer communicators. Then again, I’m sure I’ll be spending plenty of time with old friends and buddies like Huck and Liz Bowles of Huck’s Beer Buzz from Blackburg, Virginia; Owen Ogletree of Brewtopia and Beer Wench Kerri Allen, both from Athens, GA; Carla Jean Lauter from Portland, Maine; and Julia Herz of the Brewers Association in Colorado.

All in all, Beer Now Conferences are stellar events that I thoroughly enjoy. I wish more folks had the opportunity to experience them as well. I promise to bring back a few ideas that will appear before long on the pages of BrilliantStream.com.

Lastly, I am so appreciative of the companies and organizations that sponsor Beer Now Conferences. It means so much to me and the other attendees to have an affordable educational opportunity like this, which would not be possible without the costs being underwritten by the sponsors. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Links to Brilliant Stream articles generated by attendance at past conferences:
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018