BOP to Host First-Ever Brewers Symposium Rising Foam in PA Attracts Experts to Address “Beer Professional Development”

Bethlehem, PA, October 08, 2015 --(PR.com)-- The Brewers of Pennsylvania (BOP) will host their first-ever Brewers Symposium this Friday, October 9th and Saturday, October 10th at the Artsquest SteelStacks facility (Frank Banko Alehouse Cinema) in Bethlehem, PA. The two-day symposium will feature 13, 45-minute sessions that will address both the business and science of brewing. The Symposium will run in conjunction with the Artsquest Oktoberfest where members of the BOP will also participate in the festival’s “Craft Brewers Village.”

In addition to learning from Pennsylvania Brew Masters representing D.G. Yuengling & Son, Victory Brewing Company, Troegs Brewing Company, Appalachian Brewing Company to name a few, attendees will also be addressed by three well known keynote speakers.

JB Shireman, Director of the First Beverage Group in Los Angeles, California and well-respected beer industry veteran, will speak on day one and discuss “The Winds of Change in the Craft Beer Industry.” Shireman’s experience spans over 25 years in craft beer. Prior to First Beverage, he was the executive vice president of sales and marketing and former board member for New Belgium Brewing, makers of Fat Tire Ale.

Dick Cantwell, newly appointed Quality Ambassador for the Brewers Association in Boulder, Colorado, will also speak on day one and focus on “Ensuring High Quality Craft Beer.” As one of the industry’s well-respected and experienced craft brewers, Cantwell co-founded Elysian Brewing Company in 1996, where he served as head brewer until its sale to Anheuser-Busch in 2015. During his tenure, Elysian was named Large Brewpub of the Year three times at the Great American Beer Festival® (1999, 2003 and 2004), and in 2004, he received the BA’s Russell Schehrer Award for Innovation in Brewing. Additionally, he has written for various beer magazines, including The New Brewer, Beer Advocate and American Brewer. His book publishing credits include Barley Wine (with Fal Allen) and The Brewers Association’s Guide to Starting Your Own Brewery, Second Edition. He is currently at work on a forthcoming Brewers Publications title about wood- and barrel-aged beers, with New Belgium’s Peter Bouckaert.

Bill Clement, two-time Stanley Cup Champion with the Philadelphia Flyers and critically acclaimed speaker, broadcaster, actor, entrepreneur and author, will close out the Brewers Symposium on day two with a keynote address “EveryDay Leadership: The Power to Influence Outcomes.” Clement’s book, EveryDay Leadership – Crossing Gorges on Tightropes to Success (with foreword by Wayne Gretzky) introduces valuable, pertinent “life lessons” linked to leadership and success, all born from the devastation of Clement’s complete financial and personal defeat.

The symposium agenda also includes legal professionals, accountants and various industry experts plus over 20 sponsors and exhibitors from throughout the state.

“With the $1.2 billion impact on the state’s economy generated by Pennsylvania Brewers, the time is right for the BOP to play a leadership role in the professional development of brewers, home brewers and other industry personnel,” said Dan LaBert, Executive Director of the Brewers of Pennsylvania. “Brewers are now faced with more challenges than ever before as they expand their operations and staffing to keep up with demand. The BOP is honored to have JB Shireman, Dick Cantwell, Bill Clement and all Symposium speakers make our 1st Brewers Symposium a star-studded cast of business and brewing experts.”

The symposium has already over 120 confirmed registrants from approximately 35 different Pennsylvania and New Jersey breweries. Additional information, including a complete agenda and registration information, can be found at www.BrewersofPA.org.

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