Conference Classes

Pisco Porton with Master Distiller Johnny Schuler

Event Time: 11:00 AM on Jan 18, 2013

Price: $30.00

SHERATON GUNTER HOTEL, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Join Portón Master Distiller Johnny Schuler as he illuminates the rich heritage and versatile applications of Peruvian pisco. Known throughout Peru as “Mr. Pisco,” Johnny is recognized as the world’s foremost expert on this diverse category. He also launched the first ultra-premium mosto verde pisco in the United States, Portón, giving America the first taste of a distinct flavor profile treasured in Peru for centuries. Find out how grape varietals, unique climate, glacial water, terroir and unusual distilling techniques translate to extraordinary cocktails.

Sponsored by: Pisco Portón

Tales of Tito’s

Event Time: 11:00 AM on Jan 18, 2013

Price: $30.00

SHERATON GUNTER HOTEL, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Join San Antonio native, Tito Beveridge as he tells the tale of Tito’s Handmade Vodka, America’s original handcrafted spirit, and the personal recipe of Tito himself. In 1995, Tito built his very own micro-distillery; since then, he’s won many awards, including double gold at the World Spirits Competition, and the Chairman's Trophy for World's Best Vodka Tonic. The vodka category is exploding with flavor entries, but Tito has stayed true to his singular vision – making impeccably pure, smooth, handmade vodka that people can be proud to buy. Instead of cluttering the shelf with artificially flavored vodkas, Tito encourages people to infuse their own fresh flavors!

Sponsored by: Tito's Vodka

Mixology 101 Workshop (Friday)

Event Time: 11:30 AM on Jan 18, 2013

Price: $40.00

SHERATON GUNTER HOTEL, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Join Jonathan Pogash, “The Cocktail Guru,” for a basic introduction to cocktail making. Learn the simple art of experimentation and how it relates to the DNA of thousands of cocktails. Learn the basic techniques of shaking, straining, garnishing, ice and the importance of glassware, with a bit of drinks history thrown into the mix. This 100% interactive seminar will leave you on the way towards becoming your own at-home mixologist.

Sponsored by: Pisco Portón, Kansas Spirit Whiskey, Hudson Bourbon, Cherry Heering, Coffee Heering & Xante Pear Liqueur

Making Cocktails for Your Home Cocktail Party

Event Time: 11:30 AM on Jan 18, 2013

Price: $30.00

SHERATON GUNTER HOTEL, 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Join Sasha Petraske and Jose Luis Gil as they explain basic techniques for making world-class drinks at home and how to make bulk quantity cocktails and punch for parties at home or by the pool.

Sponsored by: Bulleit Rye

Image Recognition: Instagram and Hidden Cocktail Bars

Event Time: 12:00 PM on Jan 18, 2013

Price: $30.00

ST. ANTHONY RIVERWALK HOTEL, 12 - 1:15 p.m.

New media has always brought the potential for growth in our industry. However, over-saturating the Internet with content can be destructive to hidden cocktail bars. Instagram is a unique platform that allows minimal content to be rich and meaningful without the burden of oversaturation. But, like any media platform, it has its criticisms. Join Anthony Schmidt, owner and bartender of the Noble Experiment in San Diego as he explores the benefits and concerns of proprietors using Instagram in their hidden cocktail bar.

Sponsored by: Hendrick's Gin

Quality and Quantity:  How to Run a High-Volume Cocktail Program

Event Time: 12:00 PM on Jan 18, 2013

Price: $30.00

SHERATON GUNTER HOTEL, 12 - 1:30 p.m.

Bill Norris from the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, TX and Claire Sprouse from Rickhouse and Tradition in San Francisco will discuss different philosophies to create speed, while maintaining quality. The seminar will cover different batch systems and bar setups to ensure that your guests get the best drink in the quickest time, while reducing waste and ensuring consistency and quality.

Sponsored by: Buffalo Trace

Port Cocktail Revival with Sandeman Porto

Event Time: 01:00 PM on Jan 18, 2013

Price: $30.00

SHERATON GUNTER HOTEL, 1 - 2:15 p.m.

Join us for an in depth look into the trend of Port being rediscovered in cocktails. Meet Ligia Marques of the House of Sandeman, as she takes you through their rich history and a tasting of some of their ruby and tawny Portos. Joined by a mixologist, you will be inspired by these exceptional and intriguing cocktail creations.

Sponsored by: Sandeman Porto

Test Kitchen: “Hopped” Up on Goofballs

Event Time: 01:00 PM on Jan 18, 2013

Price: $30.00

SHERATON GUNTER HOTEL, 1 - 2:15 p.m.

With media and marketing pushing beer cocktails, bartender and author, Jason Kosmas, along with Rocco Milano and Jason Stevens set out to examine how beers and their components can be transformed into legitimate ingredients for a proper cocktail bar. They will play with whiskey made from IPA, liqueur made from lambic, and help participants discover how to play with hops in drinks. Join in a dialogue over “beers” on how to push the boundaries behind the bar.

Sponsored by: Charbay Whiskey

Texas Spirits Panel

Event Time: 01:30 PM on Jan 18, 2013

Price: $30.00

SHERATON GUNTER HOTEL, 1:30 - 2:45 p.m.

David will moderate a panel of Texas distillers on the Texas spirits industry. What started with Tito Beveridge, has moved on to award-winning whiskeys from Waco and the Hill Country, rums from Austin and Galveston, liqueurs and two gins in Austin and new whiskey in San Antonio. This class takes a look at Texas distilling's past, present and future.

Featured Panelists:

Chip Tate, Owner, Balcones Distilling

Dan Garrison, Proprietor, Garrison Brothers

Paula Angerstein, Owner, Paula's Texas Spirits

Tito Beveridge, Founder and Master Distiller, Tito's Vodka

Daniel Barnes, Owner, Treaty Oak Distilling

The History of Hotel Bars

Event Time: 02:00 PM on Jan 18, 2013

Price: $30.00

ST. ANTHONY RIVERWALK HOTEL, 2 - 3:15 p.m.

Join Theo Lieberman for an in-depth look into some of the most revered cocktail bars of all time, as he delves into the history of the European and American Cocktail.

Sponsored by: Oxley Gin

I Love You Man! A Bartender’s Relationship with their Community

Event Time: 02:15 PM on Jan 18, 2013

Price: $30.00

SHERATON GUNTER HOTEL, 2:15 - 3:45 p.m.

Join Jason Littrell as he guides participants through a brief cultural survey of a bartender’s role in their neighborhood, what the cultural significance (and responsibility) has become for a bartender in the United States, and what the future holds for those in the profession.

Sponsored by: Pisco Portón

Baker’s Dozen

Event Time: 02:30 PM on Jan 18, 2013

Price: $40.00

SHERATON GUNTER HOTEL, 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.

Join Brian McCullough, co-founder of The Standard Pour in Dallas and Craft Cocktails Texas, as he explores the origins of sugars and salts, homemade flavored sugars and salts, and how different applications of those housemade ingredients can enhance, alter and diversify a cocktail. Participants will have the opportunity to create their own cocktails using various sugars, salts and fruits, and will learn old-world zesting techniques for punches and cocktails.

Sponsored by: Maker's Mark

Born to Mix

Event Time: 03:00 PM on Jan 18, 2013

Price: $30.00

SHERATON GUNTER HOTEL, 3 - 4:30 p.m.

Join Dushan Zaric as he leads the audience through the world of contemporary and classic spirits to demonstrate what gives them their ‘mixability’. Through mixing and tasting, participants will discover what makes them such good playmates. This seminar is a must for beginners in professional bartending, while the advanced and expert bartenders have the chance to articulate what their palates are experiencing.

Sponsored by: Plymouth Gin

The Coffee Cocktail

Event Time: 03:15 PM on Jan 18, 2013

Price: $30.00

SHERATON GUNTER HOTEL, 3:15 - 4:30 p.m.

Coffee Director and bartender Cora Lambert will discuss the basics of brewing great coffee, demonstrate a variety of brewing methods and discuss different applications of hot and cold coffee based cocktails.

Sponsored by: Milk & Honey, Espresso Parts, MadCap Coffee Roasters, Handsome Coffee Roasters and Ritual Coffee Roasters

Wake Up and Smell the Cocktails: Easy Drinks for Breakfast and Brunch

Event Time: 10:00 AM on Jan 19, 2013

Price: $30.00

SHERATON GUNTER HOTEL, 10-11:15 a.m.

As we all know, sometimes the “hair of the dog” is the best cure for the day after the night before. But whose eyes are really clear enough to construct a crafty cocktail? Join Kerrin Egalka as she guides participants through several easy recipes to help get your morning or afternoon started right, no matter how battered you may be.

Sponsored by: Nolet's Silver Dry Gin

Complex Tequila Cocktails Made Easy

Event Time: 10:30 AM on Jan 19, 2013

Price: $30.00

SHERATON GUNTER HOTEL, 10:30 - 11:45 a.m.

This course, presented by Tanteo Tequila's State Manager, Andre Meyer and Jonathan Pogash aka The Cocktail Guru, will focus on simplifying your ingredients, tools and presentation while making complex cocktails, using simple “everyday” ingredients from your kitchen to create extraordinary cocktails and keeping the preparation “mess” to a minimum/ shortening clean-up time in the kitchen.

Sponsored by: Tanteo Tequila

Secrets to Cocktails & Entertaining with Cuffs & Buttons

Event Time: 11:00 AM on Jan 19, 2013

Price: $30.00

ST. ANTHONY RIVERWALK HOTEL, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Join Chad Solomon & Christy Pope owners and operators of New York's premiere Cocktail Catering Company, Cuffs & Buttons, as they share with you their secrets to offering craft cocktails at events large and small. Their expertise has sent them far and wide crafting cocktails and teaching and training on four continents. Any at-home host can benefit from this class that will breakdown and share practical and crative tips to offering cocktails in volumes for parties. You will come away from this class with the understanding of the techniques behind sourcing, batching and the delivery of quailty cocktails. Get ready for a new level of entertaining in the New Year!

Sponsored by: Campari

David vs. Goliath

Event Time: 11:00 AM on Jan 19, 2013

Price: $30.00

SHERATON GUNTER HOTEL, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Rocco Milano will provide participants with an in-depth look into several small batch distilleries and how the spirits are produced, what makes them unique and how they will compete in the national and international marketplace.

Sponsored by: Leopold Brothers

The Process to Perfection

Event Time: 11:00 AM on Jan 19, 2013

Price: $30.00

SHERATON GUNTER HOTEL, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

The elusive quality of perfection in cocktail creation is something that all bars & bartenders should strive to achieve...but more often than not, fall slightly short of their goal. In this seminar, noted cocktail experts Audrey Saunders and Robert Hess will walk the audience through the steps that will help anybody with a serious interest in craft cocktails understand the “thinking” and the processes that can be used to take their drinks to the next level. Audrey and Robert will be examining technique, fine-tuning, and will also run the audience through hands on examples which will help everyone understand how this approach actually works.

Sponsored by: Pernod Ricard

Big Ice Workshop

Event Time: 11:30 AM on Jan 19, 2013

Price: $40.00

SHERATON GUNTER HOTEL, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Join Zane Harris of Hundredweight as he presents a short lecture on the benefits of using “big ice” in cocktails.  No more “scoop ice”, attendees will receive hands-on training on cutting rocks and using big ice to shake and stir, with Q&A throughout the session.

Sponsored by: Cruzan Rum

On The Town with Dale DeGroff: A Tribute to Bars, Speaks and Legendary Saloons

Event Time: 12:00 PM on Jan 19, 2013

Price: $50.00

BOHANAN'S RESTAURANT & BAR, 12 - 1:30 p.m.

Take a break from the classroom and enjoy this unique performance piece presented by Award-Winning Mixologist and Author Dale DeGroff. Join Dale as he whisks participants away for an afternoon of stories, cocktails and songs from legendary watering holes and his forty years of working them! Dale explores bar life in America, from Colonial times through Prohibition, revealing the colorful story of the cocktail and the antics that drove this amazing phenomenon. Masterful story-telling, crafted cocktails from by-gone eras, and tunes from the Great American Songbook make for an unforgettable afternoon!

Sponsored by: Pisco Portón

Forgotten Gin Cocktails

Event Time: 12:00 PM on Jan 19, 2013

Price: $30.00

SHERATON GUNTER HOTEL, 12 -1:15 p.m.

Unlocking gin cocktails left behind over time.

Sponsored by: Tanqueray

Modern Tiki: A Pirate’s Life For Me

Event Time: 12:30 PM on Jan 19, 2013

Price: $30.00

SHERATON GUNTER HOTEL, 12:30 - 1:45 p.m.

What happens when you team a Polynesian Princess with a Tiki Pirate? The notorious and premier tiki event in New York, Tiki Mondays With Miller. For over a year Julie Reiner (owner of Clover Club, Flatiron Lounge & the late Lani Kai) and Brian Miller (formerly of Death & Co and Pegu Club) have captained a rotating crew of the finest scallywags to ever work behind a bar. They have commandeered classic recipes and with modern techniques taken Tiki into unchartered waters. You’ll take a journey from Tiki’s humble beginnings to its present status as a vibrant cocktail trend. Along the way you’ll learn about ingredients and garnishes that are uniquely Tiki and how just about any spirit or classic cocktail can be “tikified.” Join Julie and Brian and various members of their Tiki Mafiaaargh for a spirited afternoon of tiki tipples and discover why the rum is always gone.

Sponsored by: Appleton Rum

It’s Not The Size Of Your Barrels, It’s How You Use Them

Event Time: 01:00 PM on Jan 19, 2013

Price: $30.00

SHERATON GUNTER HOTEL, 1 - 2:15 p.m.

Why such a big deal about small barrels? Is bigger better? Isn’t better subjective? Spend some time with Tuthilltown’s former Head Distiller and current Hudson Whiskey Ambassador Gable Erenzo to explore the benefits and pitfalls, the dos and don’ts of small barrel maturation. scientific findings will be presented, and free flow conversation welcomed.

Sponsored by: Hudson Whiskey and William Grant & Sons

The Practical Modernist: Demystifying Scientific Tools and Techniques

Event Time: 02:00 PM on Jan 19, 2013

Price: $30.00

SHERATON GUNTER HOTEL, 2 - 3:15 p.m.

Liquid nitrogen, dry ice and CO2 may seem more suited to the science lab than the cocktail bar. But beyond the theatrics of using these techniques, there are practical applications that can positively impact your bar. David Alan and Matt Moody will teach participants to incorporate modernist techniques, not as gimmicks, but as useful tools in the bartender’s toolbox.

Sponsored by: St. Germain & Treaty Oak Distilling

The Art of Japanese Whisky

Event Time: 02:00 PM on Jan 19, 2013

Price: $40.00

HOTEL VALENCIA RIVERWALK, 2 - 3:30 p.m.

Neyah White will lead a session exploring the Art of Japanese Whisky as expressed by Suntory, the Pioneer of Whisky in Japan. This session will include barrel samples of the various whisky types that are used to produce the award-winning Single Malts from Yamazaki and Hakushu, as well as the luxury blend Hibiki. Through these, participants will explore not just how Japanese Whisky is made, but why it is made the way it is, and how it fits into their culinary culture.

Sponsored by: Yamazaki

Hemingway Drank It

Event Time: 02:30 PM on Jan 19, 2013

Price: $30.00

SHERATON GUNTER HOTEL, 2:30 - 3:45 p.m.

No man has been sighted as a cocktail “muse” more than Earnest Hemingway. Join bartenders and authors, Jason Kosmas and Dushan Zaric as they present the cocktails shrouded around the myths and legends of “Papa Doble.” This seminar is ripe for the avid drinker, conspiracy theorist and bigfoot hunter alike.

Sponsored by: The 86 Co.

Mixology 101 Workshop (Saturday)

Event Time: 02:30 PM on Jan 19, 2013

Price: $40.00

SHERATON GUNTER HOTEL, 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.

Join Sly Cosmopoulos, Corporate Moxologist for Republic National Distributing Company, for a basic introduction to cocktail making and flavor analysis. Be trained on flavor identification as well as the psychology to building the perfect cocktail. Bar tool function will also be reviewed and put to the test- YOU will be the judge and the mixologist.

Sponsored by: Cointreau, Cointreau Noir, Rebecca Creek and Woodford Reserve

A World Class Tropical Journey

Event Time: 03:00 PM on Jan 19, 2013

Price: $0.00

SHERATON GUNTER HOTEL, 3 - 4:15 p.m.

Join USBG & Diageo World Class U.S. Winner Ricky Gomez, Tanqueray Global Ambassador Angus Winchester and World Class Luminary Julie Reiner as they take you on a Tropical Journey, unveiling the second module of the 2013 program. Enjoy cocktails, tips from those that have been there and live demonstrations while learning the ins and outs of competing in the world’s largest cocktail program.  Immediately following the presentation, guests are invited to join for a World Class Happy Hour in the Presidential Suite of the Sheraton Gunter from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Sponsored by: Diageo World Class

Yoga for Vampires (AKA Bartenders, Cocktail Waiters and People Who Enjoy the Nightlife)

Event Time: 03:00 PM on Jan 19, 2013

Price: $20.00

ST. ANTHONY RIVERWALK HOTEL, 3 - 4:15 p.m.

Join Courtney Munch for a healthy, easy way to find some balance before, during and after your nightly romps at your favorite watering hole.

Sponsored by: Solerno

Not Too Sweet

Event Time: 03:00 PM on Jan 19, 2013

Price: $30.00

SHERATON GUNTER HOTEL, 3 - 4:15 p.m.

Various sweeteners such as sugar, honey, agave, liqueurs and spirits can change the mind’s perception of sweetness. Customers often ask for a drink to be “not too sweet”, when they mean balanced. Learn from Lucinda Sterling the art of achieving a balanced cocktail using a variety of sweetening agents.

Sponsored by: Don Q Rum