Distilling and Distributing Spirits During a Pandemic: Coastal Bend Distilling Co’s Kenneth Bethune

In this episode of Restarting America, Josh Gibbs from 97 Switch interviews Kenneth Bethune, the owner of Coastal Bend Distilling Co. Throughout the interview, they discuss the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on business and society. Bethune shares how the current health pandemic has affected his company and how he is adapting to new circumstances.

Bethune grew up in South Texas and is the oldest child of two small business owners. He graduated from Schreiner University with a BA in History and from Oklahoma City University School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in Oklahoma and Texas. In 2010 he opened a solo law practice in Oklahoma City and is now the managing partner of Bethune Enright PLLC, a law firm with offices in Beeville, Victoria, and Perryton, Texas.

Bethune’s current focus is on rural and small-town entrepreneurship. He invests in residential and commercial real estate, retail, and distilling. Coastal Bend Distilling Co. is a craft distillery producing vodka, gin, and whiskey.

Bethune is a former high school volleyball coach and has an extensive knowledge of useless sports trivia. He lives in Beeville, Texas, with his wife and two children.