Bookstock Celebrates the Best of Spirits & Cocktail Writing

This December 6-7, Louisville-based Copper & Kings, Louisville Tourism and Carmichael’s Bookstore will be hosting the first-ever Bookstock, a special gathering of some of the most talented writers in the cocktail and spirits world, including spirited conversations moderated by Imbibe Executive Editor, Paul Clarke. “These authors swim in the waters of a specific genre related to spirits and cocktails, their writing is a reflection of the best of America; intelligent reflections on a culture of warmth and hospitality, and an environment of creativity and imagination,” says Clarke. “The quality and depth of their writing, research and stretch of topics is literally a joy. I can’t wait for readers to meet them in person and get to know them as I do. They are above all – very nice people.”

Check out the highlights below, and click here to purchase tickets.

FEATURED AUTHORS
Frank Caifa
Jeff Cioletti
Paul Clarke 
Wayne Curtis
Aaron Goldfarb
Davin De Kergommeaux
John McCarthy
Jim Meehan
Fred Minnick
Kara Newman
Robin Robinson
Noah Rothbaum
Amanda Schuster
Robert Simonson
David Wondrich

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6

5:30–10 p.m.
Authors Salon. Signed books for purchase. Cash Bar.

6–7 p.m.
Drinking Directions: The State of the Cocktail Today
Robert Simonson & Kara Newman
Trends and directions of cocktails today and tomorrow, and when is a cocktail a riff or a re-invention?

7:15–8-15 p.m.
Straight vs. Blend: The Ultimate North American Whisk(e)y Conversation
Fred Minnick & Davin De Kergommeaux
Canada versus the U.S., when Canada’s Davin de Kergommeaux and Kentucky’s own Fred Minnick talk politics, history, style differences, and their respective research and writing methods that have led to nearly a dozen books between them. This session will answer many questions, including what whiskey style they believe is better.

8:30–9:30 p.m.
Looking for Drinks in All the Wrong Places: or, If Drinking You is Wrong, I Don’t Wanna Be Right
David Wondrich & Wayne Curtis
Two of the world’s leading cocktail historians, David Wondrich and Wayne Curtis, reveal where they dig for gold, from historical archives and journals to newspaper databases, and also discuss places they trust, and what mires of despair they avoid.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7

11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Book Fair, Book Signings. Cash Bar.
Meet the writers and purchase signed copies of some of the latest and most influential cocktail and spirits books.

12– 1 p.m.
The 10 Most Important Cocktails & Spirits Books of All Time
Jim Meehan & Noah Rothbaum
In the time since Jerry Thomas published his pioneering The Bon Vivant’s Companion in 1862, hundreds of books on cocktails and spirits have been published. But which ones are most relevant to contemporary readers? Jim Meehan and Noah Rothbaum will present their personal Top 10 lists of the most important contemporary and historical cocktail and spirits books side-by-side, then compare and contrast them to come up with a consensus list.

2–3 p.m.
A Sense of Time and Place
Amanda Schuster & Phillip Greene
Drinks are about more than just what’s in a glass—they also reveal stories about times, places, and cultures. Amanda Schuster and Phil Greene will discuss their research and writing styles, particularly regarding how they transport themselves (and their readers) to other eras, cultures and genres.