2024 Awards of Excellence in Tasting & Tap Rooms and Craft Beverage

The 2024 Awards of Excellence program seeks to inspire excellence in tasting and tap rooms and craft beverage industry and provide wider recognition and visibility to those who contribute significantly to the overall customer experience.

Select members of the Tasting & Tap Room Expo and Craft Beverage Expo & Conference Advisory Board along with industry professionals, evaluated the final nominations. Evaluations were based on a scoring and rating system, considering the specific criteria for each category.

Tasting Room

2024 Recipients

Tap Room of the Year

Synthestruct, Zymarium Meadery

Tasting Room of the Year - Spirits

Keeper's Heart Whiskey

Brian Nation

Tasting Room of the Year - Wine

Haywire Winery

Tasting Room Manager of the Year

Tara Meineke, M Cellars Winery

Best Packaging Award

Hall of Fame Spirits

Brad Bunson Ambassador Award

Rhonda Kallman, Boston Harbor Distillery

Awards of Excellence

Tasting & Tap Room Awards

Tasting Room Manager of the Year

Criteria

Demonstrated expertise in curating a diverse and exceptional beverage selection. Has been active in pursuing higher education in beverage via classes, certifications, events, conferences, etc.
Implemented or managed innovative tasting experiences and events. Contribution to the overall success and growth of the establishment.

Tasting or Tap Room of the Year

Criteria

Atmosphere: Ambiance, decor, and overall aesthetic appeal.
Service: Staff knowledge/education, friendliness, and customer engagement.
Beverage Selection: Diversity, quality, and uniqueness of offerings.
Innovation: Introduction of creative tasting experiences or events.

Customer Feedback: Positive reviews and testimonials.

Craft Beverage Awards

Best Packaging Design Award

Criteria

Creativity: Uniqueness and originality in bottle design.

Branding Alignment: Integration of design with the overall brand identity

Functionality: Practicality and suitability for the beverage it contains.

Brad Brunson Industry Ambassador Award

The Brad Brunson Industry Ambassador Award, sponsored by Amorim Cork, was established to honor the enduring legacy of Brad Brunson, a visionary in the craft beverage industry. It celebrates individuals who mirror Brad’s exceptional dedication to connection, innovation, quality, design and sustainability. Learn more!

Benefits OF receiving the 2024 award of excellence

Winner benefits include recognition on the event websites as well as in front of their industry peers during the awards ceremony on May 8th in Reno, NV. They will also benefit from additional digital exposure in industry publications and promotion through other channels to enhance their reputation including SommCon 2024. Recipients also have the opportunity to share their story on SommGo, SommCon’s on demand streaming education resource for the professional adult beverage community.

Join us for the Live Awards Ceremony Wednesday, May 8th

You’re invited to the inaugural 2024 Awards of Excellence ceremony in tasting and tap room management and design as well as awards devoted solely to the adult craft beverage industry! Presented by our CBX MC, OJ Lima, the awards recognize and celebrate outstanding achievements by establishments and individuals in both categories.

  • Date: May 8, 2024
  • Time: 2:20 pm
  • Place: Expo Hall
REGISTER NOW TO ATTEND AT NO COST!