The Business of Beer

For its regular August meeting, the West Ashley-James Island Business Association (WAJIBA) will host a special panel discussion on “The Business of Beer.” Coming just in time for Charleston Beer Week (Sept. 13-19), the Business of Beer panel discussion will be held from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 26 at the top of the Holiday Inn Riverview (the round Holiday Inn) and will feature representatives from different aspects of the local craft beer community.
The panel will be moderated by Timmons Pettigrew of CHSBeer.com and author of Charleston Beer: A High-Gravity History of Lowcountry Brewing.
The panel will feature Chris Brown, co-owner and head brewer at Holy City Brewing, a Great American Beer Fest gold medal brewery located in North Charleston; Chris Winn, co-owner and head brewer at Tradesman Brewing on James Island; Les Addis Southeastern Sales Manager at Allagash Brewing Co. based in Portland, Maine; and Richard Easterby owner of Craft Conundrum, in West Ashley, which boasts more craft beer taps than anyone in Charleston and was just named one of DRAFT magazine’s America’s 100 Best Beer Bars, 2015.
In the last five or six years the explosion of the craft beer industry in Charleston has been one of the most exciting trends — not only in the local culinary world, but in the local business world.
The industry has created jobs and helped bring people to our city, creating a positive impact on the local economy. This panel discussion will look at the latest trends in the industry and where it is heading. It will also address how changes in legislation have helped foster this industry and how more changes could make Charleston a top beer destination on par with our world class culinary scene.
WAJIBA hosts The Business of Beer on Wednesday, Aug. 26, from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Riverview, 301 Savannah Hwy. The cost is $10 for WAJIBA Members and guests, $20 for non-members and includes lunch). For more info, email wajibiz@gmail.com.