Explore cocktail culture

Pro and amateur cocktail summit keeps tab open for second year in San Antonio

San Antonio nonprofit Culinaria will present the second annual Third Coast Cocktail Summit January 9-13.

Photo courtesy of Culinaria

Renowned bartenders, mixologists, and distillers from around San Antonio and the nation are returning to Alamo City to reprise last January's inaugural Third Coast Cocktail Summit.

It was an opportunity for mainly hospitality professionals and hardcore aficionados of distilled spirits to enjoy tastings, and hands-on workshops and seminars.

The event organizer, local nonprofit Culinaria, is bringing back the cocktail summit from January 9-13, 2024. Educational daytime activities will happen at the Alley on Bitters retail center in Hill Country Village.

Culinaria Vice President Ginger Robinson says cocktail summit programming is being expanded to pique the interest of hospitality professionals and the general public.

“The cocktail summit will certainly offer a mix of education that appeals to the industry while other sessions will prove interesting to the consumer,” says Robinson. “Specifically for the consumer, we have seen a bit of a shift with so many people staying at home, the cocktail enthusiast has also honed their skills as a home bartender. They’ve spent time, money and effort into building their perfect home bar and their skill set has evolved.”

On January 9, the BarSmarts Practical will kick things off, giving professional and amateur mixologists a chance to formally certify their ability to make and serve classic drinks, be inspired by noted practitioners, and learn meaningful service skills.

January 10 will feature a bourbon steward program, where representatives of Bending Branch Winery in Comfort, Texas, will guide participants on various bourbon topics, including descriptors, heritage, aging, and distilling.

The Alley on Bitters will also be the site of a tasting space, which will boast a wide range of spirits and wines from multiple beverage-makers. Alongside it will be presentations from industry experts and observers, such as co-owner of The Friendly Spot Jody Newman, discussing women in the bar industry and other issues related to bar management.

On weekday afternoons and evenings during the cocktail summit, participating bars will host special happy hours and parties, and a few select restaurants will offer spirit-focused dinners.

Fans of craft beer can enjoy the beer break January 13 at the Friendly Spot, where representatives of several breweries will offer samples. The cocktail summit will wrap up that night at the Witte Museum, which will host a disco-themed cocktail party complete with plenty of samples of spirits as well as gourmet bites from local chefs and restaurants.

Robinson says the Third Coast Cocktail Summit will have something for everyone interested in cocktail culture.

“With consideration to our programming, the certified bourbon steward will appeal to all, while additional courses will, too. The summit cocktail party, happy hours and spirited dinners will also be a mix of industry and consumer participation,” she added.

Tickets for single-day general admission, full-summit all-access, and individual events (various prices) are available at culinariasa.org.

cocktails spirits distillery beer mixologists hospitality industry

BREW BLUES

Acclaimed brewery taps out of San Antonio after 11 years

Busted Sandal Brewing Company/Facebook

Busted Sandal is closing all three of its locations.

Nationwide, the gusty tradewinds of the craft brewing industry have capsized several industry leaders. In San Antonio, it has been a hurricane. Less than a month after revered beermaker Weathered Souls shuttered, Busted Sandal Brewing has written its own epitaph. The closure affects all three locations.

The team shared the news in an October 2 social media post. Although the statement didn’t dig deeply into the reasoning, it cited economic pressures, including its customers' ability to pay for “housing, food, and day-to-day life.”

“We do not close Busted Sandal with immense regret, but rather with a great sense of pride, holding our heads high knowing we made great beer and created a fun place for our Sandal family,” wrote a representative.

Busted Sandal opened its first outpost in San Antonio in 2013, largely committed to lighter beer styles like Mexican lagers and hefeweizens. In early 2020, the company expanded to a beer garden in Helotes. Its newest location in Kerrville has only been open since July 2023.

The economy had undoubtedly been unfriendly to breweries. According to a 2023 study by the national trade group Brewer’s Association, the industry has been burdened by rising costs in almost every production area. At the same time, climate change has reduced crop yields, and changes in drinking preferences have damaged sales.

The market forces are definitely felt in the Alamo City area. In addition to Weathered Souls’ passing, Barrelman Brewing Co., Boerne Brewery, Kinematic Brewing Co., and Second Pitch Beer Co. have all shuttered in recent months. Alamo Beer owner Eugene Simor has placed his East Side property for sale, and Black Laboratory has traded beer for seltzers.

The last day of business for Busted Sandal’s San Antonio location will be October 12, followed by November 3 and 10 for Helotes and Kerrville, respectively.

closings craft beer beer