Good Beer Hunting

I Can See Clearly Now — Chasing Beer Trends as a Means to an End Host: Jonny Garrett Panelists: Andy Parker (Elusive), Matt Brynildson (Firestone Walker), Alexandra Nowell (Three Weavers) At last years Extravaganza brewers clashed during the discussion of where the Hazy IPA fits within modern beer culture. In the year that's passed, the style has gradually become a popular, almost common fixture within craft beer—even one of the panelists who denounced the style last year has been turned on to its charms. In addition to this, new IPA styles—such as Brut IPA—are beginning to turn heads. Should brewers continue to chase new trends in an effort to maintain relevance in the market? Or should they be seeking balance, and stability, as competition and other market pressures continue to increase apace.

Let's Stick Together — The Value of Collaboration and Fostering Positive Relationships in Beer's Modern Era Host: Matthew Curtis Guest Speakers: Dave Stone (Wylam), Steve Grae (Affinity), Brian Dickson (Northern Monk) What role do collaboration beers play in the modern beer market, and how does that differ—if at all—from what they meant before? We've come a long way since Brooklyn first collaborated with Schneider Weisse, which was the start of one of craft brewing biggest trends. But what are breweries now trying to accomplish through collaboration, how has that changed over time, and when does competition start to disrupt the convivial world of the collab?

Food for Thought — Where Does Beer & Restaurant Culture Intersect? Host: Claire Bullen Panelists: Jonny Hamilton (Beavertown), Travis Hixon (Blackberry Farm), Dan Nathan (Beef & Brew) Why have restaurants been so slow to recognize modern beer's place at the table, and why do their beer menus lag so far behind wine menus? Who are the folks that are doing interesting things with beer in a hospitality context and how are breweries working alongside restaurants—from house beers to education/staff training and beyond? And what will restaurants beer offerings look like in five years' time?

Go Your Own Way — The Value of Independence vs. Investment Host: Michael Kiser Panelists: Logan Plant (Beavertown), Giovanni Campari (Birrificio del Ducato), Justin Hutton (Two Tribes) It's been a turbulent month for the UK scene, as expanding breweries look for investment so as to further not only their own growth—but that of the industry itself. There are plenty of options available for breweries too, be that borrowing from banks, crowdfunding, private equity or taking investment from within the beer industry itself. The amount of investment coming into the craft beer market will only increase. In a market that values "independence" as a selling point, how do we balance this against that rising tide of investment?

The GBH Collective — How to Advance the Narrative Within Beer Writing Michael Kiser, Matthew Curtis, Claire Bullen & Jonny Garrett (Good Beer Hunting)

Quality Fermentation — Exploring Beer's Place in the Realm of Wine & Cider Host: Michael Kiser Panelists: Lauren Limbach (New Belgium), James Rylance (Harbour), Jos Ruffell (Garage Project) At last years Symposium we discussed both sour beer as its own genre, and where terroir fits in within the world of beer. To take that discussion to its next logical step we need to examine sour, wild, mixed, spontaneously fermented or whatever-you-want-to-call-it beer, and its place alongside wine and cider. How do beverages at the pinnacle of modern fermentation stand together—and yet find ways of differentiating themselves from one another?

A is for Action — How the Inclusivity Debate Becomes a Movement Host: Matthew Curtis Panelists: Lily Waite (We Are Beer/GBH), Alexandra Sewell (The Black Malt Bottle Share), Melissa Cole (Beer Writer & Journalist) The topics of inclusivity and diversity have, rightly, dominated the beer discourse this year. It's a crucial talking point, but how do we take these conversations and ensure they in turn become action? And how do we ensure that when we talk about diversity, we mean everyone, from women, to PoC, to the LGBT+ community and the less able. In this panel GBH speaks to people who are doing exactly that.

A Change Can Do You Good — Keeping a Brand Fresh in a Dynamic Market Host: Michael Kiser Guest Speakers: Nanna Guldbæk (Lervig), Nick Dwyer (Beavertown), Shaun O'Sullivan (21st Amendment) It still feels almost as though modern beer has only just arrived in the UK. The last decade has been a whirlwind, with once traditional and iconic beer brands being met by those with modern, vibrant and striking designs. Brewers really are putting the can in canvas. But how do you maintain a modern image in such a dynamic market, and why rebrand when drinkers have already put their stock in your existing brand?

The Shit Post — How Social Media Managers are Coping with the Hardest Job at a Brewery Host: Chris Hall Panelists: Kamilla Hannibal (Beavertown), Richard Burhouse (Magic Rock), Henok Fentie (Omnipollo) Your local pub or bar has always been the best place to chew through some of life's most challenging topics, but what happens when that bar never closes? Social Media has been an essential driving force in the growth of the modern beer sector, but how do we work to ensure that the conversations here are open, intellectual and valuable? And how do we actively avoid encouraging negative discourse so as to ensure everyone is welcome within the online space?

Host: Chris Hall

Panelists: Kamilla Hannibal (Beavertown), Richard Burhouse (Magic Rock), Henok Fentie (Omnipollo)

Your local pub or bar has always been the best place to chew through some of life’s most challenging topics, but what happens when that bar never closes? Social Media has been an essential driving force in the growth of the modern beer sector, but how do we work to ensure that the conversations here are open, intellectual and valuable? And how do we actively avoid encouraging negative discourse so as to ensure everyone is welcome within the online space?