The National Beer Wholesalers Association (a.k.a. the NBWA) held their annual convention in San Francisco from September 14-17. The NBWA is a trade organization for beer wholesalers and distributors. After Prohibition, the three-tier system was created and has been an integral part of the beer industry ever since. I don’t normally attend the convention, but since it was in my back yard, I decided I couldn’t miss it this year. I’m glad I went. There were a lot of people there I knew and there was a lot of buzz in the air over some big things happening in the industry.

Some NBWA luminaries at the NBWA welcome reception. From left, Jamie Jurado (with Gambrinus), Lucy Saunders (the Beer Cook), Charlie Papazian (President of the Brewers Association), Kim Jordan (from New Belgium Brewing) and Tom Dalldorf (from the Celebrator Beer News).

For more photos from the first day of this year’s NBWA Convention in San Francisco, visit the photo gallery.