S&B Events
S&B Events (Smoke & Barrel Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2018 in Lake Charles, Louisiana, producing annual spirits tasting and BBQ events that raise funds for United Way of SWLA and McNeese Athletic Foundation through ticket sales, vendor fees, and tiered corporate sponsorships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersLake Charles, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What S&B Events does
Smoke & Barrel Inc. (DBA S&B Events) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2018 and headquartered in Lake Charles, Louisiana. It produces annual food and beverage tasting events, anchored by its flagship "Smoke & Barrel: Lake Charles" — a spirits tasting event on the Calcasieu Parish Courthouse lawn featuring nearly 100 bourbons, scotches, and whiskeys paired with regional BBQ, live music, and local artisans. The event has expanded into a four-day weekend format incorporating the Meet the Makers Distiller's Dinner, the Cocktail Royale competition (supporting United Way of SWLA's Success by 6 program), and the Smokin' Brunch. A second annual event, Rum Revival, was added in spring 2026 to diversify the production slate.
The organization operates with five employees and no proprietary technology platform, relying on third-party ticketing (TicketSignup.io), social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), and bundled paid media (TV, billboard, radio, print, digital) for distribution and marketing. Revenue is generated from individual ticket sales, vendor participation fees from spirits brands, food vendors, and entertainers, and a five-tier corporate sponsorship program ranging from $2,500 (Pitt Master) to $20,000 (Presenting Sponsor). Proceeds are directed through partnership agreements to United Way of Southwest Louisiana (Success by 6 early-childhood scholarships) and the McNeese Athletic Foundation (supporting 400+ NCAA student-athletes across 15 sports). Co-founders Nathaniel Allured (Executive Director) and Adam Fontenot (Creative Director) lead the organization.
S&B Events firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- S&B Events
- Legal name
- Smoke & Barrel Inc.
- Website
- https://smokeandbarrel.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- S&B Events (Smoke & Barrel Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2018 in Lake Charles, Louisiana, producing annual spirits tasting and BBQ events that raise funds for United Way of SWLA and McNeese Athletic Foundation through ticket sales, vendor fees, and tiered corporate sponsorships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
S&B Events industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Event Production Services
- NAICS
- Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events (7113), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Spirits Distillery Tours & Tastings (Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Vodka) (THAJAGAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Food, Wine & Beverage Festivals/Expos (MPAGAFAE), Beverage Services (Bar Catering, Mixology, Beverage Programs) (THAHAKAJ)
Keywords
Where S&B Events is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lake Charles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
S&B Events business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Revenue generated from selling tickets to the Smoke & Barrel event and related weekend events including the Distiller's Dinner, Cocktail Royale Finale, and Smokin' Brunch. Early bird tickets available starting May 1st with general admission pricing.
- Sponsorship Revenue: Multi-tiered sponsorship packages ranging from $2,500 (Pitt Master Level) to $20,000 (Presenting Sponsor), offering marketing benefits, event tickets, sponsor lounge access, and discounts to lead-up events.
- Vendor Participation Fees: Revenue from food vendors, spirits brands, retail vendors, and entertainment acts participating in the events through supplier/vendor application forms.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Presenting Sponsor - $20,000 annual sponsorship |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Distiller Level Sponsor - $15,000 annual sponsorship |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Bourbon Level Sponsor - $10,000 annual sponsorship |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Whiskey Level Sponsor - $5,000 annual sponsorship |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Pitt Master Level Sponsor - $2,500 annual sponsorship |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels11 records
S&B Events product offering
Product offeringCore offering
S&B Events is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that produces annual food and beverage tasting events in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The core offering is the Smoke & Barrel: Lake Charles spirits tasting event (featuring nearly 100 bourbons, scotches, and whiskeys paired with BBQ from leading pitmasters) along with companion events including Cocktail Royale, Meet the Makers Distiller's Dinner, and Smokin' Brunch. The organization also sells tiered corporate sponsorship packages ($2,500–$20,000) with proceeds directed to charitable causes including United Way of SWLA's Success by 6 program and McNeese Athletic Foundation.
Product overview
S&B Events (Smoke and Barrel Inc) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization producing quality entertainment events for community enrichment while raising funds for charitable causes. The company operates two core annual food and beverage events: Smoke & Barrel: Lake Charles (premiere spirits tasting event in November featuring bourbon, scotch, whiskey, and BBQ) and Rum Revival (spring event). Smoke & Barrel weekend includes multiple sub-events: Grand Tasting Event, Meet the Makers: Distiller's Dinner, Cocktail Royale Competition, and Smokin' Brunch. The company also offers corporate sponsorship packages at various investment levels.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Smoke & Barrel: Lake Charles: Annual spirits tasting event established in 2018, held on the lawn of the Calcasieu Parish Courthouse in downtown Lake Charles, featuring bourbon, scotch, whiskey tastings, BBQ, live music, and local artisans.
- Rum Revival
- Cocktail Royale
- Meet the Makers: Distiller's Dinner
- Smokin' Brunch
Products and services
- Smoke & Barrel: Lake Charles (Grand Tasting Event) Annual flagship spirits tasting event held each November on the Calcasieu Parish Courthouse Lawn in Downtown Lake Charles, featuring bourbon, scotch, and whiskey tastings paired with BBQ from leading pitmasters, live regional music, and local artisan displays. Targeted at adult spirits enthusiasts in Southwest Louisiana.
- Rum Revival Spring food and beverage event produced by Smoke & Barrel Inc. that kicks off the warmth of the spring season. Benefits United Way of SWLA and the Success by 6 initiative.
- Meet the Makers: Distiller's Dinner Exclusive tasting event held during the Smoke & Barrel weekend featuring distillers and brand ambassadors sharing rarest pours and newest releases, with gourmet hors d'oeuvres pairings from local restaurants including Augustine's.
- Cocktail Royale Competition & Finale Event Annual cocktail competition during Smoke & Barrel weekend featuring 15+ Lake Charles restaurants and bars showcasing handcrafted cocktails, with proceeds supporting United Way of SWLA's Success by 6 early childhood education program.
- Smokin' Brunch Sunday morning all-inclusive brunch event concluding the Smoke & Barrel weekend, featuring curated food pairings.
- Corporate Sponsorship Packages Multi-tiered corporate sponsorship packages (Presenting $20,000, Distiller Level $15,000, Bourbon Level $10,000, Whiskey Level $5,000, Pitt Master Level $2,500) offering integrated marketing benefits, event tickets, sponsor lounge access, social media posts, and lead-up event discounts to regional and local businesses seeking brand visibility.
Quantifiable outcome
- Supports Success by 6 program providing day school scholarships for children under 6
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use S&B Events
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
S&B Events technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
S&B Events partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Penelope Wheated BourbonminorFeatured spirits brand used in the Cocktail Royale competition where 15+ restaurants and bars create handcrafted cocktails. Brand serves as the foundation for competitive cocktail creation during the Smoke & Barrel weekend events.
- United Way of Southwest LouisianacorePrimary charitable partner receiving proceeds from Smoke & Barrel events. Partnership supports the Success by 6 program which provides day school scholarships for children under age 6 and enables parents to return to the workforce. The Cocktail Royale competition raises funds specifically for Success by 6 to enrich early childhood education in the community.
- McNeese Athletic FoundationminorBeneficiary charitable partner benefiting from Smoke & Barrel events. Works to strengthen the financial condition of all 15 NCAA sports and provide resources supporting the over 400 McNeese student-athletes. Logo appears on organization materials as charitable beneficiary.
- Augustine's RestaurantminorLake Charles' newest and most celebrated restaurant serving as venue and food provider for the Meet the Makers: Distiller's Dinner event. Provides perfectly paired gourmet hors d'oeuvres for the exclusive tasting experience set against the backdrop of Historic City Hall's Winter Wonderland & Selfie Art Exhibit.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
S&B Events competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- San Antonio Cocktail Conference: Multi-day spirits and cocktail festival pairing tastings with educational seminars and charitable giving components. Comparable in combining spirits tastings, food, mixology competitions, and nonprofit/community benefit framing.
- Tales of the Cocktail Foundation: New Orleans-based nonprofit producing one of the world's leading spirits and cocktail industry events, featuring tastings, education, and competitions. Most directly comparable to Smoke & Barrel as a nonprofit spirits-tasting event organizer with charitable/community mission.
- Bourbon & Beyond: Louisville-based bourbon, food, and music festival pairing spirits tastings with pitmaster-style food and live entertainment. Closely matches Smoke & Barrel's spirits + BBQ + live music + artisans format, scaled to a larger national audience.
- Manhattan Cocktail Classic: Annual New York spirits and cocktail event featuring tastings, seminars, and gala-style programming. Comparable event format and consumer demographic for upscale spirits tastings.
- Kentucky Bourbon Festival: Annual bourbon festival held in Bardstown, KY featuring spirits tastings, food pairings, and live entertainment. Comparable regional spirits festival model with similar attendee demographic and sponsor base.
- WhiskyFest: Multi-city whiskey tasting event series organized by Whisky Advocate, featuring dozens of distilleries sampling bourbon, scotch, and other whiskies. Direct peer in spirits tasting event production with traveling-format reach.
Broad incumbents
- Food & Wine Classic in Aspen: Premium food and wine tasting festival hosted by Food & Wine magazine, combining tastings with chef demonstrations and brand sponsorships. Larger incumbent in beverage/food festival space with broader culinary focus beyond spirits.
- South Beach Wine & Food Festival: Large-scale food and beverage festival operated by the Food Network, featuring tastings, celebrity chefs, and sponsorships across multiple venues. Broader and larger incumbent in the same food/beverage festival category but covering all food types rather than spirits-only.
Regional players
- NOLA Bourbon Festival: Bourbon-focused festival in the New Orleans market featuring tastings, food pairings, and live music. Same regional Gulf South positioning and bourbon-focused tasting event model, though serving a different city geography than Smoke & Barrel.
- New Orleans Wine & Food Experience: Regional Louisiana-based food and beverage festival featuring wine, spirits, and culinary tastings with charitable beneficiary components. Comparable Gulf South regional festival model with similar nonprofit/community orientation, though larger in scale.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
S&B Events social profiles
Digital presenceS&B Events compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
S&B Events financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
S&B Events leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
S&B Events funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
S&B Events M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about S&B Events
What does S&B Events do?
S&B Events is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that produces annual food and beverage tasting events in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The core offering is the Smoke & Barrel: Lake Charles spirits tasting event (featuring nearly 100 bourbons, scotches, and whiskeys paired with BBQ from leading pitmasters) along with companion events including Cocktail Royale, Meet the Makers Distiller's Dinner, and Smokin' Brunch. The organization also sells tiered corporate sponsorship packages ($2,500–$20,000) with proceeds directed to charitable causes including United Way of SWLA's Success by 6 program and McNeese Athletic Foundation.
Is S&B Events a public or private company?
S&B Events is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was S&B Events founded?
S&B Events was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is S&B Events based?
S&B Events is headquartered in Lake Charles, United States, in the North America region.
How does S&B Events make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are sponsorship Revenue and vendor Participation Fees.
Who are S&B Events's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are San Antonio Cocktail Conference, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, Bourbon & Beyond, Manhattan Cocktail Classic, Kentucky Bourbon Festival and WhiskyFest. Broad incumbents are Food & Wine Classic in Aspen and South Beach Wine & Food Festival. Regional players are NOLA Bourbon Festival and New Orleans Wine & Food Experience.
Does S&B Events have an API?
No public API is recorded for S&B Events.
What industry is S&B Events in?
S&B Events's product category is Event Production Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJAGAF, Spirits Distillery Tours & Tastings (Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Vodka), with a secondary code of MPAGAFAE, Food, Wine & Beverage Festivals/Expos. Its NAICS code is 7113 and its SIC code is 7900.