A first-of-its-kind event will be taking place in the kosher world in exactly four weeks from today. Taking place on August 4th, the Kosher Agave Fest will be the first public-facing event to feature kosher-certified tequilas and mezcals. Being held in West Hempstead, the event is being run by Jazz Age Cocktails, behind which is its founder, Avi Pusateri.
Brands at the festival include – but are not limited to – Alma del Jaguar, Volans Tequila, Negave, El Tequileño (which had many of its products KFP-certified over the winter), Cimarron Tequila, and also Tekiah, the añejo of which recently won best-in-show at last month’s inaugural Kosher Spirits Awards.
“The festival brings together leading tequila, mezcal, and agave spirit producers, gourmet kosher tacos, and an educational tasting in one place, while introducing Jewish consumers to quality, additive-free agave spirits,” said Pusateri. “My goal is to serve as a bridge between quality spirits brands and the kosher market. I help producers connect with kosher consumers through education and meaningful experiences.”
The idea behind creating it was a noticeable gap for Pusateri. “Through my work with Jazz Age Cocktails, I’m often invited to tequila and mezcal tastings, brand launches, and other industry events. While they always feature incredible agave spirits, they almost always pair them with tacos and other foods that aren’t kosher.
“As someone who keeps kosher, I’ve spent years watching everyone enjoy thoughtfully curated food pairings while I have to bring my own meal or eat before or after the event. Those experiences made me realize there was a gap in the market. The kosher community has a growing interest in premium tequila and mezcal, yet very few opportunities exist to experience these spirits the way they were intended – with great food, education, and direct access to the brands behind them.
“Working alongside many of my industry partners, I created Kosher Agave Fest to bridge that gap.”
Education
Although there will be plenty for festival-goers to learn and understand about agave spirits through tasting and talking, there will also be an optional guided tasting session led by Yechiel Chovav-Wolgel. Speaking on the importance of this educational aspect of the festival, Pusateri noted that “I think it’s more important now than ever. The tequila category has exploded in popularity over the last decade, but much of that growth has been driven by marketing rather than consumer education. Many people know what brands they like, but not necessarily why they like them or how tequila is actually produced.
“Kosher Agave Fest is about giving people the opportunity to taste, compare, and ask questions directly to the brands. Whether someone prefers a traditionally made additive-free tequila, or a high quality agave spirit, or if someone prefers an authentic mezcal. I want them to leave with a better understanding of agave spirits and the confidence to make informed decisions as a consumer.
“Education helps consumers appreciate the craftsmanship behind these spirits while also giving brands the opportunity to share their stories firsthand. That’s ultimately what the festival is all about, bringing producers and consumers together through education and experience.”
Tequila and Tacos
In addition to the tippling of tequilas, there will be tacos, as well, with a tasty taco lineup by Bosh Boshnack, which Pusateri described as a “classic pairing.” Pusateri continued: “At nearly every tequila or mezcal tasting I’ve attended, tacos or Mexican-inspired cuisine are part of the experience because the flavors naturally complement agave spirits. I wanted guests to experience these spirits the way they were intended, but with high-quality kosher food.
“We also wanted the food to be an attraction in its own right, which is why we partnered with Bosh to create a taco bar. The tacos aren’t just something to eat, they’re part of the overall tasting experience. They help showcase how food can elevate a tequila and mezcal tasting.”
Located in West Hempstead
As to choosing the location in West Hempstead, Pusateri said that the event is “a community event open to all agave-loving individuals that are interesting in learning more about quality agave spirits.” He continued that he had “partnered with several West Hempstead synagogues to make the festival a true community collaboration. Chabad of West Hempstead had the ideal space to host an event of this size and immediately embraced the vision. Rather than simply renting a venue, we wanted the event to benefit the community as a whole, so participating synagogues also receive a portion of the proceeds to support their programming. It’s a partnership that allows us to celebrate great agave spirits while giving back locally.”
Purchasing Tickets
For those interested in purchasing tickets to attend the first-ever Kosher Agave Fest, general admission tickets are $60 per person, two general admission tickets are $100, and VIP tickets are $75 per person, which grants the ticket-bearer not only early admission, but also a souvenir glencairn glass. The end time of the event will be 10:30pm, with doors opening for general admission at 7:30pm and 6:30pm for VIP ticket-holders. Tickets may be purchased online here.
