The First B&B Associate Bourbon Steward Class Is in the Books

It was my first time, and to be honest, I wasn't sure how this was all going to come together. Planning an in-person certification class for 20 people, coordinating schedules for those traveling from multiple states, a Friday night reception, a Saturday bottle share at someone else's house... there are a lot of moving parts when you're doing something for the first time.

It came together. Really well, actually.

The Class

Twenty people walked into B&B HQ on Saturday morning. All twenty are now Certified Bourbon Stewards. That's a 100% pass rate, which I'll take — though I'll also admit I was rooting hard for everyone in that room.

The class ran close to three hours, which was right where I wanted it. The curriculum, developed by the Stave & Thief Society, covers bourbon history, production, tasting methodology, and much more. The feedback on the course materials and the instruction was outstanding — nearly perfect scores across the board from everyone who submitted a survey.

I want to be clear about one thing: this class is not a participation trophy. The Certified Bourbon Steward designation is a legitimate credential. It means you understand what's in your glass, why it tastes the way it does, and how to talk about it intelligently. These 20 people earned it.

Friday Night and Saturday's Bottle Share

A handful of folks arrived Friday evening and swung by HQ for an informal meetup. Good pours, good conversation, and a low-key way to get comfortable before the morning.

Saturday night was a different level entirely. Jason Fiehler and Katie O'Dell opened up their home in Kirkwood for a bottle share that went well into the evening. Their setup — a full bar in the basement, outdoor space for cigars, genuinely gracious hospitality — made the whole thing work. A big thank you to both of them. That night wouldn't have happened without them.

The bottles were exceptional. I even broke out one of my all-time favorite barrel picks: an eight-year-old MGP Rye picked from Traverse City Whiskey. I've poured that bottle for a lot of people over the years. By Saturday night, it was nearly gone. I think that says enough.

What's Next

We're doing this again. If you missed this one and want to be notified when the next in-person class is announced, keep an eye on the site.

We're also exploring whether we can bring this to a virtual format — same curriculum, same certification, accessible to people who can't make the trip to St. Louis. No timeline yet, but it's something we're actively working through.

To everyone who came out this weekend: thank you. You made it worth doing. Now go drink something worthy of your new credentials.

Cheers,

~ Pops 🥃