The Art & Science of Distilling with Dr. Robert Birnecker
Event Information
About this event
On International Whiskey Day, join C2ST and KOVAL Distillery for a special tasting event led by Dr. Robert Birnecker, KOVAL’s Master Distiller. What better way to celebrate this very important holiday than by tasting three delicious whiskeys from the expert who crafted them?
Last March, we hosted a program that detailed KOVAL’s immense efforts to provide hand sanitizer to Chicago’s frontline workers. This program, however, is all about the whiskey! During this program, we will learn all about the distillation process that KOVAL uses to create their bright, grain-forward spirits for everyone to enjoy. Along the way, Dr. Birnecker will guide a tasting of KOVAL’s bourbon, rye, and four grain whiskeys, detailing what makes them so unique and delicious.
Event Details
Saturday, March 27th, 202, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM CST, C2ST Facebook Live and C2ST TV YouTube Live.
Virtual Tasting: If you would like to sip along during the tasting, purchase the C2ST tasting kit from KOVAL. ID’s will be required upon pickup.
Kits include: 200 mL of KOVAL Bourbon, 200 mL of KOVAL Rye, 200 mL of KOVAL Four Grain, KOVAL coaster, tasting glass, a recipe card, and C2ST swag!
Make sure to sign up for our newsletter, or follow C2ST on Facebook to receive notifications when the live program starts.
Use our Q&A app to ask live questions during the program or send in your questions in advance! Remember to upvote your favorite questions.
Featured Speaker:
Dr. Robert Birnecker
One of America’s top distilling experts and an internationally renowned consultant, Dr. Robert Birnecker serves as the CEO and Master Distiller of KOVAL Distillery in Chicago. An Austrian native and third generation distiller, Robert's love for traditional craft spirits was born out of helping his grandparents at their award-winning distillery and winery. He went on to receive numerous certificates from Austria’s leading distilling program, Höhere Bundeslehranstalt und Bundesamt für Wein- und Obstbau Klosterneuburg, and further honed his skills alongside Europe’s foremost spirits expert, Dr. Klaus Hagmann.
Through his work with Kothe Distilling Technologies, Robert has educated over 3,500 people in the art of distilling and has helped to set up 190+ craft distilleries throughout the world. His technical expertise, creativity and business acumen have garnered over 100 international awards and accolades for KOVAL, and have led to his induction into the Disciples d’Escoffier and being named Illinois Business Person of the Year by the National Small Business Association. Prior to opening KOVAL with his wife Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart, Robert served as the Deputy Press Secretary for the Austrian Embassy in Washington, DC.
This program presented in partnership with:
KOVAL Distillery, one of the largest fully independent and widely distributed craft distilleries in the US, is dedicated to creating bright, grain-forward spirits that delight in both taste and design.
KOVAL has made a name for itself as a creative force in the distilling world, in part through its unique mash bills, but also due to its "heart cut" approach to distilling, which allows for the best expression of each spirit. The family-owned distillery in Chicago crafts a full line of organic, kosher, and locally-sourced whiskeys, gins, and specialty spirits.
Organizer The Chicago Council on Science and Technology
Organizer of The Art & Science of Distilling with Dr. Robert Birnecker
