The popularity of tequila is growing outside of Mexico, especially in the United States.

The National Chamber of the Tequila Industry in Mexico reported that 56 per cent of the tequila production from February 2009-2010 was shipped out of Mexico to 84 countries - the United States being the country that received the most tequila – 74 per cent of all exports .

The acceptance of tequila by Hispanics and non–Hispanics in the U.S. has been reflected

by sales that have almost doubled over the past decade, making tequila the fastest growing spirit in the country. After a very successful debut event last year, organizers of the Second Annual Tequila Festival Hayward are very aware of the growing awareness and demand for quality tequila.

“Tequila is growing in popularity particularly here in the United States, because more and more people started to produce better and more 100% agave tequilas,” said Neal Lyons, President of Suavemente Tequila, one of the many tequilas that people will have the opportunity to taste at the festival.
For many drinkers, gone are the days when they used to drink tequila so fast because they did not want to taste it. “People are becoming more and more educated about tequila,” added Lyons. “Years ago people used to ask for one particular brand, now I find people asking me where our agaves grow, what kind of barrels we use.”

The Tequila Fest 2010 will have more than 20 different brands of tequila, with their blancos, reposados, añejos and extra añejos.

“We want to bring a festive event to Hayward,” said Alejandro Gamarra, owner of Acapulco Bar and Grill and co–organizer of Tequila Fest 2010. “Last year, people’s response was very significant and positive.”

According to the organizers, last year’s event attracted more than five hundred people who arrived from Oakland, Monterey, Sacramento, San Jose, and several different cities around the Bay Area.

The festival offers people the opportunity to taste quality and smooth tequilas and to learn more about tequila. “In an event like this people can go in and try a number of different brands, kinds and producers,” mentioned Lyons. “People can discover tequilas they like, which makes it easier for them to go and purchase the product at their favorite bar or the store.”

The festival will feature historic brands such as Centinela Tequila – the oldest tequila - and Suavemente Tequila, one of the newest tequilas to the U.S. market – Lyons says the tequila, “is so smooth that it would be appealing to non-tequila drinkers.”

In addition to the tequila, festival attendees will enjoy live mariachi music, authentic tacos, and Mexican coffee provided by Joe Greengo (a company that buys organic coffee from different countries and roasts it locally in San Leandro). Joe Greengo will be blending coffee with tequila, caramel and cremas de tequila for the attendees to taste.

At 9:00PM banda music will start, featuring three different bandas to keep people moving on the dance floor.

“My involvement in this project is that I want to tell the community that Hayward is a place where we can make things happen and make them big,” said Francisco Zermeño, Hayward city councilman and event co-organizer. “People can drink responsible - alcohol is to enjoy, to share with friends and have a good time.”

Hayward Tequila Fest 2010 is on August 28th at Acapulco Bar and Grill. For more information visit www.HaywardTequilaFest.com.