I’m hoping the keynote speaker for this year’s NHC is Dick Yuengling. Yeah, they’re not a craft brewery (the lager is good w/hot wings), but they’re the oldest American brewery (since 1829) and (I think) the largest family owned family. Yuengling is synonimous with PA. He’s an excellent speaker, to boot. Just my two cents.
Good call Guido
+1
Would you be disappointed with Sam Calagione? Not so far from Philly, the chair of the Brewers Association Board, and a big supporter of homebrewing. He is also friends with Vinnie Cilurzo and Ken Grossman, and has to keep up with those guys, as they have been keynote speakers (2011 and 2009 respectively).
Who ever it is, they probably have already been booked, and have the calender cleared for a few days.
I could live with Sam, too. Do you know something ;)?
No one has told me anything about the keynote.
In Oakland in 2009 it was Ken Grossan.
In SD in 2011 it was Vinnie, who grew up in Temecula and had Blind Pig brewing in Temecula.
There just might be a trend that one can see.
Like I said, Sam is the chair of the BA board, and it would be a natural. He also has to keep up with the West Coast Italian brewer (Vinnie)as far as being a keynote speaker. Those guys are friendly rivals, if you have heard them speak, adn the whole “No Randall Required” thing.
I could be wrong. Not the first time.
Sam would be an AWESOME choice.
Entertaining, well-spoken, and really a homebrewer at heart.
…Except that I feel like I’ve heard (and read) so much from Sam… I’d like someone different. Garret Oliver?
What about Bill from Victory? Or Ed Stoudt… they were one of the first brewpubs in the state.
I’ve met Ed Stoudt. He has lots of charisma. He’d be a good speaker. His wife Carol would also be a good choice.
I keep checking the conference website and I still can’t find a word about who will be giving the keynote address. Does anyone have any intel? Although there’s lots of great choices, I’m still hoping they have a PA guy for the conference.
one person mentioned on this thread was previously shown on the list of speakers for the conference, but does not show up now. Note that it never said they were the keynote speaker; it was just a list.
Perhaps keeping it on the low-down, or a conflict has arisen and it is someone else now. I guess we’ll find out!
Hey, Ron, any info you can provide?
Pull some strings, Denny. Maybe you can get to the bottom of this.
It should be announced very soon. Watch the Conference website for the official announcement in the coming days.
Just following protocol. 
I’ll post here as soon as it’s live.
Fair enough.
Hey guys!
Time to spill the beans…
The keynote speaker is…drum roll…Tom Peters!
Here is the bio for Tom:
Tom Peters is co-owner of four beer-centric restaurants in Philadelphia: Monk’s Café, Nodding Head Brewery & Restaurant, Grace Tavern, and The Belgian Café. Tom is also co-owner of The Anderson hotel/restaurant in Fortrose, Scotland and involved with The BeerBistro in Toronto, Canada. He has been employed as a baker, pastry chef, line cook, sous chef, bartender, waiter and general manager before opening his first solo project. Famed beer writer Michael Jackson called Monk’s Café “Simply the best Belgian Café in the United States” and Monk’s was named as “Top Five Places in the World to Drink a Beer” by All About Beer magazine. Tom was Knighted into the Belgian Brewer’s Guild in 2004 and named an Ambassadeur Orval since 2008. In 2013, he was a James Beard Foundation Semi-Finalist and was awarded the 2013 Philly Beer Scene Humanitarian of the Year. He travels the U.S. and Europe sourcing, blending and brewing beers, many of which are only available at Monk’s Café.
Cheers,
Duncan
edit: Here is a link to the announcement online
http://www.ahaconference.org/news/keynote-speaker-announced/
Nice…I think the AHA nailed this one!
and I didn’t think I could get any more excited/thirsty for next week!
I think this is a good choice. Monks was the first place I went when in Philly some time back. He helped Philly and Belgian beers to be what they are today.
A complete surprise, but I’m cool with it.