We had the good fortune of connecting with Alison Palacios and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alison, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Taking risks was not always the path I have wanted to take in my life. I found my passion for hospitality and beverage education at University of Houston’s Hilton College. While in college, I took a course called The Spirits of Mexico and it was then that the seed of tequila education was planted. I knew I would eventually pursue my passion for tequila and tequila education, however, I had to risk a major pay cut in order to make a career change. Before I graduated in 2018, I decided to take the first risk I was willing to take for a chance at pursuing my dreams. I left the company I had worked at for over ten years, with a decent salary, in order to pursue my passion for hotels and beverages as a barista for $10 an hour. No amount of money could make me regret taking the risk and the experiences I have had in hospitality and the relationships I have formed in the tequila industry.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My journey in learning about tequila and creating content has not been easy, however, it has been worthwhile. I made a major career pivot in my early 30’s from tourism to hotels. In my hotel career I have experienced working in food and beverage, housekeeping, front desk, concierge services, night audit and events. When the pandemic hit in March of 2020, the hotel industry was greatly affected and I was let go. That’s when I started uploading tequila production content on TikTok where some of my videos have gone viral with one of my videos accumulating 20 million views. I went back to hotels and kept up with my tequila content on social media as much as I could. This sparked a curiosity to want to research more information on tequila and formally educate myself on the subject. Through google and Facebook I found my teacher, Ana Maria Romero Mena, who is the tequila industry’s first woman master distiller. Through her mentorship, I earned my basic level certification in professional tequila tastings or as it’s called in Spanish and what I now am: Catadora. During my classes with Ana Maria in Guadalajara, Mexico, I met new friends and connections in the industry and learned that there is a tequila community in Texas. That propelled me to start a social club where Houstonians and tequila lovers can come together to network, socialize, learn about and taste tequila. The knowledge I have gained from learning opportunities has been to just go for it. I remember a leader once telling me, “Alison, don’t wait, just do. If. you make a mistake, we will fix it and learn from it.” That has been a mantra I do my best to live by. Fear only keeps you from doing things. It keeps you from what could be the best adventure ever. I want the world to know that tequila is rich in history, science, taste and culture. Knowing where tequila comes from and how it’s made is just as important as enjoying the occasional weekend ‘shot’ or sip. Tequila, when drinking it with respect and responsibility allows for a good time with interesting people.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As a born and raised Houstonian and former hotelier, there are so many spots I would want to take someone visiting for the first time, but these are my tried and true (in no particular order):

The Underground Hall has the best quesabirria tacos from Los Primos and the best tres leches cake from Luv’ Em Leches. I have been going to The Underground since college!

The Crawfish Shack has been my go to crawfish spot for YEARS! The ambiance is fun and the crawfish is delicious!

Dan’s Seafood on Uvalde has delicious crawfish, shrimp lo mein and their hushpuppies are the perfect crisp.

100% Taquito sopes, tacos and real mango slush is my ideal menu.

Frank’s Pizza is a must for any first-time Houston visitor.

Asia Market Thai Lao Food has the best Thai food in the city with the best customer service.

Gorditas Aguascalientes on Irvington has my favorite huarache plate.

Washington Ave.’s The Sugar Room, Clutch, Handle Bar and Midtown’s Wonderbar and Unicorn Disco are the best for a weekend night out dancing.

Memorial Park, Buffalo Bayou Park and Hermann Park are ideal for enjoying the outdoors within the city.

Cidercade is a must, even if you’re not a gamer.

Wooster’s Garden and Under the Volcano are in my favorite bars list.

Tout Suite, Brass Tacks and Agora are my top three coffee shops.

Did you really visit Houston if you didn’t experience waiting in line at The Breakfast Klub?

The Post HTX has the best view of the best city skyline in the world. They also have yummy food.

Tony’s BBQ & Steakhouse for a delicious brisket plate or bbq baked potato.

I had a wonderful and delicious experience at Bombay Sweets on Hillcroft, so I will add them to this list of “must visit”.

Breweries, as I am also a beer lover – Saint Arnold’s Beer Garden and 8th Wonder Brewery are my favorite Houston staples. My alcohol and beer production course professor in college is one of the founders of 8th Wonder. Shoutout to him! One of the smartest people or maybe the smartest person I’ve ever met.

Last, but not least, any of Chef Hugo’s restaurants. His story is truly an inspiration and his food is equally just as delicious. May I suggest Xochi located in downtown.

If you can tell, I am very much a foodie as much as I am a tequila connoisseur. I will purposefully stop my list right here, because I could quite literally go on and on about Houston’s food and entertainment scene. As a native Houstonian, I feel, we are so fortunate to have so much diversity in our city.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are people in my life that have inspired me along the way, starting with my parents. Shoutout to my mom, who has been supportive from day one. She cleaned houses, sold breakfast tacos, made bows, mums, decorated weddings and quinceaneras, ironed clothes for money, so my dad could go to school full-time and graduate from the University of Texas Pan American (now UTRGV) and become a teacher. Shoutout to my dad who believed in education so much he walked miles to attend college – in the rain, during the winter and the hot valley months. He earned his GED and Bachelor’s degree with knowing little to no English at all. He now speaks English fluently and is enjoying his retirement as a former high school teacher. My parents taught me with education and hard work, anything is possible. Dreams don’t work unless you do. Shoutout to my brother and sister who have shown me hard work and perseverance is key. They are my cheerleaders, always encouraging and supporting my ideas. Shoutout to the professors at University of Houston’s Hilton College who, inadvertently, introduced me to everything I love: My career in hospitality and my love for tequila and beverage education. Shoutout to my friends, who I can always count on for an honest and direct opinion or advice. Shoutout to my cousin Tania who has been supportive of me throughout this tequila journey. Shoutout to La Maestra Tequilera, Ana Maria Romero Mena, who has been the ideal teacher and source of all things tequila. Shoutout to leaders I have had in my career who inspire me to be the leader I am, want and strive to be everyday. Shoutout to the over 60 thousand people who decided to follow me on TikTok based on my passion for tequila production. That was the catalyst that propelled me to continue educating myself on tequila and beverage production. Shoutout to H-Town, the city I have grown up in and discovered who I am as a person and what I find joy in doing professionally and in my past-time. Houston in the city of reinvention and innovation.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/htxtequilaclub

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beverageproduction Email: alilovesbeverages@gmail.com

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