On February 25, the Brewers Association (BA) will host its annual Hill Climb for BA members in Washington, D.C. The Hill Climb will be preceded by a Leadership Summit for brewery owners and other executives on February 24, and followed by a Guilds Gathering for guild leaders and staff on February 26.
Participating in a hill climb is one of the most important things a brewery owner or employee can do to help their business be successful. Members who participate in the Hill Climb have the opportunity to build relationships with members of Congress and advocate on behalf of their business as a voice for the 9,000+ breweries that comprise the craft brewing industry.
Take this opportunity to be a leader, join the BA in Washington D.C., and ensure that your voice is heard!
Why Participate?
Elected officials need to be educated about small and independent breweries and how the legislative decisions they make impact businesses like yours. This is your chance build new relationships, share your expertise about small and independent breweries, and grow our influence in Washington, D.C.
The BA has successfully advocated for issues like:
- The Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA), which cut federal excise taxes in half for 99% of small brewers.
- Improving label, formula, and brewers notice approval at the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau and removing excessive red tape by exempting hundreds of brewing ingredients from formula requirements.
- Avoiding burdensome FDA regulations proposed for brewers that donate spent grain.
- The Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) and other COVID-19 relief legislation like the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC), which helped the industry weather COVID-19
These accomplishments, and others like them, were possible because of the deep relationships that the BA and our members have built at the federal level. We know that advocacy works, taxes and tariffs will continue to be prime topics in 2026, and having a strong presence in Washington, D.C. is more important than ever.
Advocacy is an important part of being a small business owner. With more than 9,000 small and independent breweries across the country, and more than 190,000 direct jobs, we have the numbers necessary to be a powerful voice in Washington, D.C., but we need to show up to be heard. The 2026 Hill Climb is our opportunity to speak in unison as an industry while we build new relationships with members of Congress and strengthen existing ones.
Event Overview
- The Leadership Summit on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 will include a state of the industry round table, a Washington D.C., update, fireside chat with members of the Small Brewers Caucuses, and strategic and government affairs related breakout sessions with industry peers and leaders. This will be followed by a Welcome Reception for all attendees.
- The Hill Climb on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 will includes breakfast and a lobbying briefing prior to a day of Congressional meetings with your elected officials in the House and Senate. This will be followed by a Congressional Reception for attendees, legislators, and their staff.
- The Guilds Gathering on Thursday, February 26, 2026 is a gathering of state guild leaders that fosters collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Through educational sessions and peer discussions, attendees gain insights that strengthen their guilds and the breweries they represent.
How Can I Participate?
- Register. We have limited space and want to ensure that we can accommodate all participants!
- Secure your hotel room at the official Hill Climb hotel.
What Others Are Saying
“As a small brewery owner, I recognize the vital role political and legislative advocacy play in running a successful business. Breweries are impacted by legislation and regulation in almost every step of the brewing process. The Brewers Association Hill Climb provides the opportunity for me to meet with policymakers and their staff, ensuring that they can make educated decisions when it comes to passing legislation that impacts our day-to-day operations.”
Pamela Brulotte, Founder Icicle Brewing Company
“I’ve been attending the Brewers Association Hill Climb every year since I became executive director of the New York State Brewers Association in 2013, and I can’t express enough how important it is to take part in the legislative process in Washington DC.
It’s the best time to connect with our house and senate legislators to not only give them updates on our industry in New York State, but to continue to advocate on behalf of the entire industry and remind everyone that beer is bipartisan, and an incredibly powerful economic engine for our national economy.”
Paul Leone, Executive Director New York State Brewers Association
2026 Schedule
- Tuesday, February 24 – Leadership Summit
- 11:00 am – 5:00 pm: Leadership Summit & Lunch (registration fee $300) at The Eaton DC, Crystal Room
- 6:00 – 8:00 pm: Welcome Reception @ Henceforth
- Wednesday, February 25 – Hill Climb
- 7:45 – 9:00 am: Breakfast and Orientation – The Eaton DC, Crystal Room
- 9:15 am: Picture on the Capitol Steps
- 9:30 am – 4:30 pm: Congressional Meetings on Capitol Hill
- 5:00 – 7:00 pm: Congressional Reception @ Bullfeathers on the Hill
- Thursday, February 26 – Guilds Gathering
- 10:00am – 5:00 pm: Guilds Gathering & Lunch @ offsite location TBD
Sponsor the Hill Climb
The Brewers Association Hill Climb is an annual event where business owners, executives, Trade Partners, and the Brewers Association’s Government Affairs team travel to Washington, D.C., for two days of conversation and education to drive positive change for the industry. We are excited to open up this year’s Hill Climb to the leadership of our Supplier Members for further engagement through the association. Suppliers will be able to participate in every aspect of the Hill Climb. You’ll be able to visit Congressional offices from your home state and be paired with other producers from your state. Through these opportunities, you will gain key visibility and networking with the decision makers that represent our professional beverage producing membership!
Welcome Reception
Be one of up to four sponsors showcased during this kick-off event, welcoming attendees to Washington DC. Attendees excitedly come together to connect with legislatures, other beverage producers, and suppliers for this two-hour event. The Brewers Association hosts this party with beer from around the country and great small bites. You simply activate within the event and tie your name to it.
Commemorative Glass
Commemorative glass sponsorship. Place your company’s logo on the commemorative glass handed out to every attendee of the 2025 Hill Climb. This will be available for pickup at Registration and offers visibility before, during and after the event.
Congressional Reception
Be one of up to four sponsors for the “Off the Hill” Reception where brewers, suppliers and lawmakers kick back and chat in a relaxed setting. The Brewers Association hosts the event, you simply network and tie your name to it. Beer and food provided by the BA.
Welcome Reception Gift
Help make brewers stay in Washington, D.C. even more memorable by providing merch and/or goods as Welcome Package available at the Welcome Reception.
Potential items include:
- Branded water bottle
- Branded NotePad
- Branded Pens
- Branded Chapstick
- Branded hand sanitizer
- Branded ….. your idea here
Off-Site Nightly Event
Sponsor an official Off-Site Nightly Event at the BA Hill Climb 2025 and your company will be featured in front of key decision makers and lawmakers in the craft beverage alcohol industry. Your Company will plan and produce the event, and we’ll work with you and your team to promote and market it to our attendees. Off-site events take place July 15-16.
Set Up a Sponsorship Call Today
Thank you to our 2025 Hill Climb Sponsors
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