Farm to Bottle Summit in Fairmont

In an attempt to get more local ingredients into local beverages, a group of food and beverage producers and other interested parties will participate in Craft: A Farm to Bottle Summit on Wednesday evening in Fairmont. Hosted by The Rambling Root brewery restaurant, the event is organized by the West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition and the Robert C. Byrd Institute (RCBI).

The workshop is free and open to the public. Anyone interested in the emerging craft-beverage economy — including the production and sales of sodas, teas, beers, wines, kombucha, juices, and distilled spirits — should consider attending. To register, follow this link.

Participants will explore ways that craft producers can partner with and engage various interests in agriculture, hospitality and tourism to build markets for this growing business sector, according to Bill Woodrum, RCBI director of entrepreneurship and agricultural innovations.

“This event is a must for brewers, farmers, retailers and others in the region who are interested in becoming part of this rapidly expanding market,” Woodrum said. “As an added bonus, attendees will have the opportunity to sample some of the unique beverages already produced in our region.”

Keynote speaker will be Charles Bockway, craft beverage aficionado and publisher of BrilliantStream.com, a website focused on the industry in West Virginia and surrounding Appalachian region. Bockway will moderate a panel discussion that will be led by DJ Cassell, co-owner and operator of Fairmont’s Rambling Root restaurant and brewpub.

The event will run from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M.