The Unlikely Ascent of Bert Butler “Tito” Beveridge — From Risk-Taker to Spirits Mogul

Bert Butler “Tito” Beveridge began life far from the glamour of billion-dollar valuations. What emerged was a story of risk, reinvention, and a fiery spirit — literally and figuratively. Today, his name is inseparable from one of the most successful vodka brands in America.

A Nonlinear Path to Reinvention

Before he was “Tito,” Beveridge tried many lives. Armed with a degree in geology and geophysics from University of Texas at Austin, he ventured into oil drilling, seismic exploration, and environmental engineering — even briefly working as a mortgage broker. 

But none of those careers satisfied him. It was a late-night infomercial — watched after a party — that planted the seed: draw up what you love to do and what you're good at. Beveridge realized he loved bars, restaurants, and social gatherings. He was good at tinkering, engineering, and experimenting. 

Already experimenting at home with flavored vodkas, he realized there was more potential behind those modest bottles gifted to friends. In 1995, he improvised a pot still using two soda kegs and a turkey fryer, and began distilling a smooth, corn-based vodka on land south of what would become the Austin–Bergstrom International Airport. When Texas authorities initially balked, he dug into licensing laws — eventually earning the first legal distillery license in the state. By 1997, he sold his first bottle under the brand that would become Tito’s Handmade Vodka. 

Craft Meets Grit: Building Tito’s Against the Odds

Beveridge didn’t raise venture capital. He didn’t pitch to investors. Instead, he financed his fledgling distillery using 19 maxed-out credit cards, amassing about $90,000 in debt. He slept on floors and couches, raising bottles one at a time, loading them onto trucks, and personally hitting the road to sell. 

His break came in 2001, when Tito’s Vodka won the Unanimous Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition — beating established brands such as Grey Goose and Ketel One. That validation turned a labor-of-love into a serious contender.

Over the years, demand exploded. What began in a single pot still grew into a sprawling operation: floor-to-ceiling stills, a bottling line capable of hundreds of cases per hour, and distribution across the country.

A Soaring Valuation: Wealth and Controversy

With full ownership of Tito’s Vodka, Beveridge’s fortune soared. In 2021, some outlets estimated his net worth at $9 billion, citing the brand’s valuation and his controlling stake. 
More conservative trackers put his recent net worth in the ballpark of $4.8 billion. 

While Tito’s has become America’s best-selling spirit since 2017, the brand has also faced scrutiny. Critics argue that labels calling Tito’s “handmade” or “craft” no longer reflect the realities of industrial-scale production — a shift that has stirred controversy. 

The Man Behind the Label: Identity, Beliefs, and Giving Back

Though widely known by his nickname “Tito,” his full name is Bert Butler Beveridge III — a name he inherited from his grandfather.

The nickname “Tito” reportedly comes from childhood, a diminutive of “Bertito.” 

Beveridge has often spoken about his guiding philosophy, rooted in his grandfather’s advice: “Do something you love for a living.”

Beyond business, he’s committed to philanthropy. The company channels the net proceeds from its online store to nonprofit organizations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tito’s pivoted part of its production to make hand sanitizer. The brand also supports community initiatives like art grants through the “Tito’s Prize,” benefiting local creatives in Austin. 

What We Know — And What Remains Private

Publicly available records outline Beveridge’s broad biography and professional arc — but certain personal details remain elusive. While multiple sources agree on his upbringing in San Antonio, Texas, and education at the University of Texas at Austin, a confirmed full birthdate (month/day/year) does not appear in credible interviews, corporate filings, or reputable profiles.

Major outlets covering his wealth and career — including leading business publications — reference his background broadly (education, origin, entrepreneurial journey), but none provide a verified birthdate. For instance, even in in-depth features about Tito’s rise, the focus remains on his path and business decisions, rather than personal details like exact birthday. 

Consequently, any claim to a specific birthdate or “birthday” (by month/day/year) would be speculative or based on unverifiable sources. I found no evidence from authoritative publications that meets journalistic or biographical standards to confidently report such a date.

Why the Uncertainty Doesn’t Diminish the Legacy

This gap in publicly available personal data doesn’t undercut Beveridge’s impact. The narrative of Tito — the self-taught distiller — is more powerful than a date on a page. What stands out is how a restless seeker of meaning turned a late-night idea into a spirits empire, how grit, risk, and passion overcame the odds, and how the success of Tito’s Vodka reshaped the American spirits market.

Whether or not we know his birthday doesn’t change how the story reads: it’s one of reinvention, belief, and relentless pursuit.

A Note on Accuracy & Transparency

In compiling this profile, I referred to multiple respected sources — including industry publications, business profiles, and detailed brand history pieces. While wealth estimates vary (reflecting the challenge of valuing private-company assets), I avoided speculative or unsourced claims, especially regarding personal data.

Because no reliable public record provides a verified full birthdate for Bert Beveridge, this article intentionally omits any purported “birthday.” I recommend treating any date you might find elsewhere as unconfirmed unless backed by a primary source (interview, legal record, or official statement).