Brandon Wilde (l), Nick Doughty and Lindsey Peebles of Texas Keeper Cider, winners of a $12,000 grant from AFWA last night Credit: Photo by John Anderson
Remember earlier this year when you ate a lot of beef at the Salt Lick Pecan Grove Pavilion and everything was covered in carnival lights and you met your future husband? You should send the folks at the Austin Food and Wine Alliance a thank you card.

Year after year, the Alliance puts on magical events like Live Fire!, Official Drink of Austin, and Wine and Swine – all in service of the Central Texas food community. Last night in a ceremony at the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center, the Alliance granted $40,000 to local companies, schools, and nonprofits to fuel culinary innovation, development, and education. Now that we think about it, you should probably send them a thank you card and a gift basket (local, of course – don’t you dare send an Edible Arrangement).

Here are this year’s winners:

Texas Keeper Cider: $12,000
The AFWA grant will help the cult craft cidery build a taproom featuring micro-batches and Texas-sourced cider/wine hybrids. See the Chronicle profile of the brand here.

Two Hives Honey: $8,000
The funds will help Two Hives in its mission to build a network of mini-apiaries around town that provide raw, unfiltered honey products to our community.

Meridian Hive Meadery: $8,000
The only meadery in Central Texas will be able to expand production to meet the ever-increasing demand for their sparkling “session meads.” Read more about them here.

Urban Roots: $ 5,000
AFWA’s grant will help the Eastside nonprofit update their curriculum in support of youth empowerment through sustainable farming.

Salud! Bitters Company: $5,000
The small-batch, foraged bitters purveyor will use the grant to seek FDA certification and provide educational tours.

Manor High School Culinary Arts Program: $2,000
The AFWA money will help secure working appliances for the in-house restaurant and catering operaration that serves families staying at the Ronald McDonald House.

Congrats to all the 2015 grant winners!

This article appears in December 4 • 2015.

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