The 2025 USA Rice Outlook Conference was a record-setting success. One widely-attended session on the FMC Stage was "Brewing and Beyond." Michael Klein was joined by food scientist Dr. Scott Lafontaine, Exceedient Foods' Derek Alarcon, and from J.T. Meleck Distillers Emily Meyers. From rice varieties and gel temps to flavor profiles and being a whiskey taster, the panel unpacked a lot of innovation. Learn more at: www.exceedientfoods.com www.food-science.uark.edu www.jtmeleck.com @jtmeleck2.0 With special guests: Dr. Scott Lafontaine, University of Arkansas Center for Beverage Innovation and Derek Alarcon, Exceedient Foods, Farmers' Rice Cooperative, and Emily Meyers, J.T. Meleck Distillers Hosted by: Michael Klein