Stephen Beal, Keeper of the Quaich, created 4 October 2010
In a special ceremony at Blair Castle in the Scottish Highlands, Stephen Beal, Senior Master of Whisky for DIAGEO North America, will be inducted into the Scotch Whisky industry's most venerable and exclusive society, The Keepers of the Quaich.
Long considered to be the Scotch whisky industry’s highest honor, The Keepers of the Quaich is an exclusive society founded in 1988 by major companies within the whisky industry. Membership is by invitation only, and members are sworn in at an induction ceremony held twice a year (spring and autumn) at Blair Castle in Perthshire, Scotland, the Society’s headquarters.
The mission of the Keepers of the Quaich: To advance the standing and prosperity of one of Britain’s premier export industries, and to make more widely known its uniqueness, traditions, quality, service and benefits to the community it serves at home and in the markets of the world. Members must be invited to join by those already within the society. To be selected, individuals must have at least five years experience within the Scotch Whisky industry and have made a "notable contribution".There are reportedly 1900 members in over 82 countries worldwide. Those who are known to have attended as special guests or guest speakers include Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond, former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy, HRH Charles, the Prince of Wales, HRH The Princess Anne, and many writers, journalists and heads of state.
In 2009 Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond became a 'Keeper' and rewarded the whisky industry with this endorsement: "Whisky is vital to the Scottish Government's number one priority - increasing sustainable economic growth. My Government fully backs the Scottish Whisky Association's push for greater legal protection in order to protect this iconic Scottish product in the global market." Viscount John Thurso, one of twelve patrons of the group, told Whisky Magazine “We are all dedicated to whisky, to its purity and variety not only as a commodity but also as Scotland’s greatest export,” he orates. “We are like a constitutional aristocracy. We have no power but considerable influence. It is a great honour to be a Keeper of the Quaich but particularly to be a Patron.”
Stephen Beal, KOTC, MDiv, CTh (Oxon)
He is one of the world’s fifteen Masters of Whisky and Sr. Master of Whisky for DIAGEO Spirits on the US West Coast. On 4 October 2010, he was created “Keeper of the Quaich,” an honor bestowed only on the elite of the Scotch Whisky industry. In addition to his role as Master of Whisky, Steve is also a writer and chef. In 2003 he received the Spirits Ambassador to the World Award. He has been a Judge at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition since its inception in the year 2000 and a presenter for Bon Appetit magazine’s “Wine & Spirits Focus”. Steve has also served as contributing editor of Patterson’s California Beverage Journal, The Tasting Panel Magazine.
