BevCon Charleston wraps 2016 conference today

By Robin Gibson

Fill with mingled cream and amber,
I will drain that glass again.
Such hilarious visions clamber
Through the chambers of my brain.
Quaintest thoughts -- queerest fantasies
Come to life and fade away;
What care I how time advances?
I am drinking ale today.

-- Edgar Allen Poe 

The best minds in the culinary and beverage industry came together for a learning and networking opportunity filled with tastings, parties, book signings, takeovers, and a finale at The Windjammer on Isle of Palms. Edgar Allen Poe would have found inspiration among the spirits, wine, beer, and mixers -- as well as experts -- on hand for this multi-day event. Hosted by Hyatt Place in historic downtown Charleston, guests attended learning sessions and tastings in Sterling Hall, bar takeovers along King and Bay Streets, educational excursions, book signings, and various off-site parties including the aforementioned Grand Celebration at The Windjammer. Travel + Leisure's World's Best City is a natural choice given its reputation as a top food destination as recognized in "The 10 best food cities in America, ranked" by The Washington Post's James Beard Foundation award-winning Food Critic Tom Sietsema. Proceeds from this year's conference are slated to benefit various food and beverage-related charities. 

A video posted by Life Out Loud (@lollifeoutloud) on Aug 23, 2016 at 3:32pm PDT

The scene above from Tuesday's Spring/Summer Tasting with bites provided by Food for the Southern Soul and The Park Cafe

4 days of events focused on beverages in Charleston

Samples poured freely of wine, spirits, craft beer, and mixers

The Brewers Association and the American Homebrewers Association were both represented

Sterling Hall at Hyatt Place was the main venue for BevCon Charleston

Friends and Sponsors included SevenFifty, The Tasting Panel Magazine, The Clever Root, netGalaxy Studios, and more

Sterling Hall offered the perfect backdrop of space, sound, and lighting for BevCon

Welcome to BevCon

Culinary Agents is the professional resource for F&B professionals

Learning Sessions were held Monday and Tuesday

South Carolina Satisfy Your Thirst Tour

Above images capturing only part of this year's successful BevCon Charleston

​Were you there? Let us know. We'd love to hear all about your experience from this year's BevCon Charleston. Are you a member of the local F&B industry? What's your take on what's happening here in Charleston?