BevCon Charleston is a multi-day beverage-focused conference in Charleston, SC that gathers folks in the industry to learn, network and taste with other like-minded professionals.  The business development manager of our family business, Joey DeCamilla, attended this years inaugural event to learn more about how we can support the industry.

Joey shared some of his thoughts about his experience at BevCon with us here on the blog. It just might make you thirsty!

What were your top three favorite drinks at BevCon Charleston?

Durham Distillery did a cocktail at one of the Bar Takeovers at The Warehouse. They used their Conniption Navy Gin served with a Watermelon Ice Cube. WOW.

Gary Crunkleton from The Crunkleton in Chapel Hill did an amazing cocktail the first night at McCrady’s Bar Take Over.  Check out our Instagram account for that one. It had a great garnish too!

Bloody Mary’s were served on the morning of the last day. Life Saver. We were able to partner with Charleston Bloody Mary Mix and Dixie Vodka. A little hair of the dog was what we all needed.

We heard there was great food too! What was your favorite dish at the event?

It was a grilled, smoked mackerel pizza with blue cheese by Jason Stanhope (executive chef at FIG) during the opening reception. Edmunds Oast, The Grocery and Hominy Grill were also there serving delicious eats. High Wire Distillery was a great venue – it was a blast!

How was the Swag Bag?

Very Impressive! Angel Postell and her team put on a fantastic event, from check in, to swag, to very informative speakers and more food, drinks and partying than you could imagine. I’m still using the samples and swag from our check in bag!  (Check out the contents in this picture from Stonecutter Spirits.)

What was the most innovative drink you tried?

It’s hard to name just one. What stuck out to me was the amount of smaller “craft” distilleries out there now. And just how much better their spirits are than what you are used to getting in a well drink at your local watering hole. Places like Durham Distillery, TOPO Spirits, High Wire and Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery are a few that stick out to me but I know I’m missing a lot too!

What was an emerging trend you spotted?

The “mixers” category has changed dramatically. Sweetened lime juice, grenadine and bottled tonic water are mixers of the past. Between the small batch bitters, such as Charleston’s own Bittermilk, and tonics such as Jack Rudy and Alley Twenty Six, it’s obvious that this trend is not only on the rise but here to stay.

Any cool new products that you are excited about?

At the opening reception, I met Jonathan Bonchak. We are both living in North Carolina  — he’s in Raleigh and I’m in Charlotte. After some small talk, he told me about the company that he and his wife Jenny started, Slingshot Coffee. They have hit the ground running and are available in retailers throughout the southeast. After getting to know Jonathan and Jenny, I am excited to see them grow, which I know will happen. Their cold brew is the best I have ever had and their passion for the business will take them a long way.

Any collaborations that came out of the event that we can look forward to?

As an American olive company, we are always looking for American or local spirit companies to team up with for some All-American Martinis or Bloody Mary’s. Durham Distillery and TOPO Spirits are both companies that we will explore some different avenues with. Also, I can’t thank Charleston Bloody Mary Mix enough for having our olives as a garnish. I hope we can continue our relationship with Jackson and Ryan at CBMM.

What are the top things you learned about the beverage industry?

If you have a quality product (spirit, beer, wine, garnish, mixer) and a passion for your product, you can succeed. Seeing so many entrepreneurs and family companies doing their products the right way was very inspiring.

Finally, anyone who was in attendance will get this one. Why does everything have to be “craft”? We heard some very interesting takes from beverage professionals on the term “craft” and what that has done for the industry in general.

It was an action packed 4 days but I could not have asked for a better experience.  Thank you to BevCon for putting on such a great event!