The 2020 Beer Now Conference will take place August 6 – 8 in Austin, Texas. This agenda will be updated as events and sessions are confirmed. Please add your email address to the Stay Updated box to the right and find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Previous years’ agendas and speakers can be found in our Archives.
All sessions will take place in the Capital Ballroom unless otherwise stated.
Wednesday, August 5
1:00 PM Overnight Excursion – San Marcos Brews and Tubes: You know what pairs well with craft beer? A crystal-clear river to float… Join us in San Marcos for three Texas Hill Country breweries, great food, and, of course, a float down the San Marcos River. Read more about it here. @toursanmarcos
Thursday, August 6
3:00 PM Drop off from San Marcos Pre-con Excursion
Evening events are being planned. Stay tuned.
Friday, August 7
Breakfast on Your Own
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Registration & Beer Tradeshow: Be sure to explore and learn from our sponsors!
9:00 – 9:30 AM Conference Welcome
9:30 – 10:00 AM Introduction – Julia Herz of the Brewers Association: Julia has provided the introduction on every single BeerNow since its inception and always offers a dynamic presentation of the current state of craft beer and how that is pertinent to beer bloggers. @craftbeerdotcom
10:00 – 11:00 AM All-Group Session – Introduction to the Texas Beer Scene
11:00 – 11:15 AM Break
11:15 – 12:15 PM All-Group Session with the NBWA: National Beer Wholesalers Association Chief Economist Lester Jones will examine where the industry has been and where it is headed. He will also help attendees understand the data that shapes stories on the growing alcohol beverage marketplace. He will present compelling data and insights to help beer writers better understand the policy, economic and demographic factors shaping the industry in 2020 and beyond. @NBWABeer
12:15 – 1:45 PM Lunch
1:45 – 2:30 PM Keynote
2:30 – 3:30 PM All-Group Session
3:30 – 3:45 PM Break
3:45 – 4:45 PM Lightning Talks: Following on the success of previous events, we will have 10 of your fellow attendees get up on stage to deliver five-minute, Ignite-style “Lightning Talks”. With 20 slides each advancing automatically on 15-second intervals, speakers have to be on the top of their game to deliver fun, informative, often hilarious talks. We’ll do a call for speakers six weeks before the conference.
4:45 – 6:15 PM Beer Expo: The Beer Expo is your opportunity to taste beers and meet representatives from all of our sponsors.
6:15 PM Depart for Reception & Dinner at Oskar Blues @oskarbluesatx
Saturday, August 8
Breakfast on Your Own
8:30 AM – 2:30 PM Registration & Beer Tradeshow: Be sure to explore and learn from our sponsors!
9:00 – 11:00 AM All-Group Session: Four 30-minute sessions
11:00 – 11:15 AM Break
11:15 – 12:15 PM All-Group Session
12:15 – 1:45 PM Lunch
1:45 – 5:00 PM All-Group Sessions
5:00 – 6:00 PM Live Beer Social hosted by the Texas Craft Brewers Guild Instagram Facebook #texascraftbeer
6:30 PM Depart for Reception & Dinner at Pinthouse Pizza @pinthousebeer #pinthousepizza #pinthouse #craftbeer #beer #brewery #austintx
Sunday, August 9
Breakfast on Your Own
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Post-Conference Excursion to Shiner Brewery: Shiner will be hosting a private tour exclusively for Beer Now attendees at their facility and will provide RT transportation, lunch at the Gambrinus Brewery, a tour of the production facility and additional unique experiences including a private tasting with the Master Brewer. A representative from Shiner will be on the bus to and from the brewery and it is legal to enjoy beers on the bus in Texas! Read more about it here.