rebecca - festival creator

Rebecca Royster is the co-founder of the woman-focused beer festival, Dames and Dregs, which recently held it’s 2nd annual festival. But her journey into beer started years before when she was part of the opening staff at The Porter  – considered one of the best beer bars in the world. From there she went into beer sales, representing the highly regarded Atlanta-based brewery (and great friends!), Orpheus Brewing. Now her focus is on the business side of the industry as she navigates running one of the most unique beer festivals in the southeast. Rebecca is our August feature of “The Proud”, where we highlight instrumental folks helping shape the future of Atlanta. 

What was the process like starting your own beer festival?
Starting Dames and Dregs Beer + Festival has been a journey. Luis Martinez, my business partner originally pitched the idea of doing a woman-centric beer event in the fall of 2017. At that point, we weren’t sure what it would look like specifically. We were more focused on what we wanted the overall vibe to be. We really wanted this event to feel like a celebration, where everyone would feel welcomed to have a great time. Having attended a LOT of beer festivals, I knew that I wanted us to provide a more structured format for people to learn about the craft beer industry and community. That ultimately materialized in our Dames Talk panel discussions. Luis has strong ties to the art/music community so that was something we really wanted to incorporate as well. Aside from pulling all these somewhat disparate components together, one of the challenges is getting breweries to commit. That part was a bit easier for year two. It was pretty challenging to share our vision leading up to our first event in 2018. At that time many people didn’t “get it”.

How did you first get into beer and what’s that journey been like? 
My beer journey has been both surprising and rewarding. I first got into beer through working behind the bar. When I was 23 and in grad school, I started working at bar to make extra money. At the time, I knew nothing about beer, wine or spirits. Beer seemed more approachable, so I decided to start trying different beers. I joined Taco Mac’s Passport Club (I think that’s what it was called back then) with a friend, who was also interested in exploring beer. We worked in Decatur and would go to the Decatur location a 1-2 times per week to try different beers after work. Then, in September 2008, The Porter Beer Bar opened, and I was fortunate to be part of the opening team. My knowledge and love for beer really deepened working at The Porter. We not only learned about the way beer tastes, but also how it’s made and the history of different beer styles. We had beer class regularly and were tested frequently. It was amazing and super appealing to my inner nerd! In fact, my appreciation for beer had grown to the point that I decided to stay in beer after finishing my first Master’s degree. I was at The Porter for six years before joining Orpheus Brewing, where I was the first salesperson. I never imagined I would be in a sales role in any industry. The work was hard but so fun at the same time. It was here I discovered my excitement for business. I knew that I wanted to start my own business, and I left Orpheus to pursue my MBA at Georgia Tech. I graduated from Tech last December, and we just celebrated our second Dames and Dregs Beer + Festival. I hope it was the second of many more to come.

What are some of the challenges women face in the beer industry and/or the restaurant/bar industry?
My short answer based on my experience is that women are frequently underestimated. Assumptions are often made about our abilities and preferences based on gender norms/stereotypes. The really cool thing I have also experienced is that many of us are not swayed or deterred by (what I would describe as­) the shortsightedness of others. I have encountered so many awesome women in these industries. It’s a big reason why I am so passionate about D+D. I want Atlanta to have the opportunity to be inspired by the same women who inspire me. 

Can you tell me about your background and what life is like for you currently?
I am a Georgia peach, who was born right here in Atlanta. My family moved to Columbus, OH when I was 10 years old (Go Buckeyes!). I moved back to Atlanta to attend Spelman College and have been here ever since. Atlanta has always been my home. I live in southwest Atlanta, not too far from West End with my dog, Rosie. My life is pretty simple these days. I go to work, travel when I can, and take Rosie on adventures. 

What are the most satisfying parts of putting on a beer festival? Least satisfying?
The most satisfying part is seeing people enjoy the event. This year, as part of our #WeBrew campaign, we printed huge banners featuring photos of 60+ women in our beer community. A few women teared up when they saw their faces. That was very satisfying. The least satisfying part is probably the day(s) after the festival when my body is very sore!

What are you most proud of in your personal life? What about your professional life?
Personally, I am most proud of the deep connections and friendships I have made. Professionally, I am most proud of finishing the things I set out to finish, even when the path was challenging. I guess that’s part of the reason I believe resilience is important. 

What does it mean to you to be a “Champion of your craft”?
I don’t know that I would describe myself as a “Champion”; however, I would say it means to have resilience, a deep respect for others, and to embrace challenge/change. I had no idea I would be where I am today, but I sure have enjoyed this journey.

What do you do to relax and unwind? 
I love science fiction and superheroes/comic book-related media. One of my favorite things to do to relax/unwind is to go to the movies. I also love to travel. Most recently, I went to Portugal. It was AMAZING!  

What part of Atlanta do you live in and what are some of the areas of town you hang out in the most? 
I live in southwest Atlanta/Cascade Rd. I frequently hangout in L5P/Inman Park, Poncey/Highlands, and Glenwood Park/O4W. However, with all the development on the Westside/West End, I am finding myself staying closer to home these days.

What’s your desert island beer?
North Coast Old Rasputin. It is dark, roasted and delicious. I know it’s a Russian Imperial Stout, but I can drink it year-round.

Who are some people you look up to/inspire you?
My mom and my grandmothers. I am in awe of the things they have accomplished, sometimes despite incredible odds. If I can do just a fraction of what they have done, I’d be alright with that.

What do you love about Atlanta? What would you like to see change?
I love Atlanta’s culture and its rich history. I would like for us to figure out better ways to address homelessness. 

What is something that gets you rowdy? 
For better or for worse, politics get me pretty rowdy. 

What makes you proud?
Finding a new restaurant/food is a second hobby. Atlanta has a great restaurant and food scene. I’m always proud when I find a new place I enjoy. I have acquired a lot of favorites over the years.

What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
I was a dancer for a long time. I started taking lessons at age 3-4 and continued to study dance through college.