​​Focus Session Submissions​​​

Curate a session on a timely and valuable topic with invited speakers or panelists. Focus Sessions may take the form of traditional podium presentations, engaging panel discussions, or interactive, hands-on learning experiences.​ 

Begin Your Submission

Submission Deadline: March 11​

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Preparing Your Focus Session Proposal

​The Brewing Summit Planning Teams aim to select timely, well-designed sessions that add value to the associations and their members. Creative, interactive sessions are encouraged, as they help atten​dees gain practical ideas and valuable knowledge. The Planning Teams also ensure a diverse range of topics, with no two sessions covering the same subject. Read the Focus Session Submission Guidelines for submission instructions and ​more information. 

Focus Session Submission Guidelines​​


ASBC & Master Brewers Focus Areas

Below are the focus areas, along with example topics for inspiration. While sessions within these focus areas are encouraged, topics outside these areas will also be considered for inclusion in the program.


​Focus Areas for ASBC
Improving Quality and Mitigating Microbio​logical Risks of NA Beer
  • ​​​Example Topics: 
    • ​​Preservatives, Pasteurization, and Reducing Risk in NA Beer 
    • Minimizing Spoilage in NA Processing and Draught 
    • Enhancing Flavor Profiles of NA Beer 
 
Leveraging Sensory and Chemical Approaches to Extend Shelf Life 
  • Example Topics: 
    • ​FAN and its Impact on Flavor Stability 
    • Alternative Ingredients and the Impact on Flavor 
    • In-line Data Collection and Measurements 
    • FAN's Role in Hop Creep 
    • Nitrogen and Yeast Nutrition 
 
Defining Quality for Alternative Beverages 
  • Example Topics: 
    • ​Best Practices for Measuring the Quality Aspects of Alternative Beverages  
    • Agave Spirits Interactive Sensory Session 
    • Managing Quality and Sensory of THC Beverages 
    • Distilling Chemistry and Aging 
 
Exploring Yeast Strain Innovation 
  • ​Example Topics: 
    • ​Cutting-edge Developments in Modified Yeast Strains 
    • Advancements in Bioengineered Yeast 
    • Hybridization versus CRISPR 
    • Novel Yeast Generation Techniques and Technology 
    • Haze and Flavor Technologies Pertaining to Yeast  
    • Diversity in Wild Yeasts and Organisms 
 
Leveraging AI and Analytics 
  • ​Example Topics: 
    • ​Recipe Development 
    • Root Cause Analysis in the Brewery 
    • Instrumentation and Process Monitoring and Control 
    • In-line Data Collection  
    • Data Management 
 
Exploring New Possibilities of Novel Ingredients 
  • ​Example Topics: 
    • ​Alternatives to Barley 
    • Water Chemistry 
    • Enzymes 
    • Alternative Grains 
 
Hops: Emerging Research 
  • Example Topics: 
    • ​Targeting Hop Specs 
    • Efficiency Gains and Practices 
    • Ways to Improve Flavor Extraction 
    • Innovative Extracts and Use 
    • New Hop Varieties 
 
Malt and Barley: Emerging Research 
  • Example Topics: 
    • ​Grain and Malt Quality 
    • ​Understanding Malt Chemistry  
    • ​​Efficiency Gains and Practices 
    • ​​Ways to Improve Extract Yield ​

​Focus Areas for Master Brewers
​​​NA's Impact on Brewing Operations
  • Example Topics:​
    • ​Mitigating Spoilage Risks
    • ​Efficient Processes for Quickly Changing Product Lines
    • Draft Line Safety
    • Overcoming Packaging Challenges 
    • Raw Ingredient Alternatives
       
​​​Capitalizing on Technology in the Brewery
  • Example Topics:
    • ​AI and Brewing Software
    • Automation for Smaller Scale Brewers
    • Sustainable Engineering
    • Success in Beer Recovery
    • Heat Pumps (not vendor specific)

Reaching the Forefront of Non-Beer Products
  • Example Topics:
    • ​Business Strategy of Responding Quickly to Consumer Desires
    • ​THC Products
    • ​Distilling Content
    • ​Distillery Operations
    • ​​FMBs and RTDs Processes and Safety

Managing Supply Chain Challenges
  • Example Topics:
    • ​Processes for Developing and Sourcing New Varieties of Grains
    • Incorporating Food Industry Processes into Sourcing
    • Ingredients and the Global Supply Chain
    • Grower Perspectives on Sustainability
    • Novel Takes on Brewery Waste

Navigating the Regulatory Landscape
  • Example Topics:
    • ​Food Safety and NA Production
    • Labeling Requirements, Reporting, Allergens, Nutritional
    • THC Regulations
    • Import/Export Barriers
    • Global Economic Challenges

Brewer's Approach to Adapting
  • Example Topics:
    • ​​Innovating in Styles
    • ​Approaches to Making She​lf Stable Products
    • ​Application of Innovative Products (hop extracts)​
    • ​Doing More with Less
    • ​Economical and Sustainable Solutions
    • ​Maximizing Flavor Stability and Quality
    • ​Business Approaches - Acquisitions, Mergers
    • ​Implications of Products Having a Longer Shelf Life
    • ​​Packaging Materials - Meeting Consumer Demands, Economical Choices
    • ​​​​DO - Packaging Setups, Capabilities​​

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