Keeping it Local

Local and regional spirits are a hit!

According to Barbizmag.com, consumers who prefer locally grown foods argue that obtaining spirits from local suppliers is more nutritious, tastier, and better for the environment.

A study conducted by Mintel, a market research company, shows that the use of "local" claim of restaurant menus has grown 13% in the last year and 58% of patrons want to see more local choices.

The idea of local eats has spread to the bar. Expert Mixologist, Jon Arroyo, created Farmer's Smash which is made from Farmers Rye Whiskey, a private label spirit from Copper Fox, a distillery of Sperryville, VA, along with freshly muddled orange, lemon, bitters, and original ginger syrup.

Burlesque L'Amour, a specialty cocktail served at the Drawing Room in Chicago, IL is a Prosecco-based cocktail layered with flavors of North Shore Might Gin, Grand Marnier, North Shore Sirene Absinthe verte, and fig bitters.

Thistle Hill Tavern in Brooklyn, NY sells a lot of New York born beers and spirits with positive results. Brooklyn Gin and Tonic is made with Breuckelen Distilling Company Gin, distilled on 19th street in Brooklyn and Q tonic also made in Brooklyn.

Giving the course of this trend, sooner than later, industry growth and profitability will gain attention world-wide.

-Bottoms Up

Don Julio: His Passion for Tequila

Don Julio González began his journey in the world of tequila in 1942. He soon realized that to create a tequila that stands apart, one must control every aspect of the process, from the cultivation of the agave to the bottling of the final product. He then established his distillery, La Primavera, and spent nearly forty years perfecting the craft that would produce extraordinary tequila with every bottle.

At first, Don Julio only shared his tequila with friends. But soon word spread, and Tequila Don Julio quickly became the most sought after tequila in Mexico. Today, the world is learning what Mexico already knows: that it is passion above all else that makes a great tequila.

See the full story....

http://www.donjulio.com/theman.aspx

Heineken supports HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention in Africa

At the Heineken HIV/AIDS symposium held in Amsterdam, Jean-Francois van Boxmeer, Chairman of the Executive Board/CEO Heineken N.V., announced that the Heineken Africa Foundation has initiated three new projects focused on HIV/AIDS in communities where the company operates.

PharmAccess African Studies to Evaluate Resistance, Nigeria: PASER is managed by the PharmAccess Foundation and is the largest coordinated effort in sub-Saharan Africa to monitor HIV drug resistance. Six African countries hosting 15 clinics, laboratories and research institutions will be collecting data on emerging HIV drug resistance. With Heineken's funding, Nigeria will now be added to this study.

Bonnes Routes!, Democratic Republic of Congo- this program will support two existing road wellness clinics in Lukala and Bukavu in Northern DRC. They will provide curative and preventative health services to more than 25,000 employees of transportation companies and other community members each year. They will also provide HIV prevention guidance and ultimately HIV treatment, as well as basic health care services.

Project King's Hope, South Africa- this ongoing project run by the King's Hope Development Foundation will be able to improve the accessibility of healthcare to HIV patients in the area of Olievenhoutbosch in the Gauteng Province, specifically palliative care.

"These three new HIV/AIDS projects supported by the Heineken Africa Foundation will play a small but meaningful role in helping to continue the fight against the disease in sub-Saharan Africa. They will help address the ongoing challenge of HIV/AIDS by increasing knowledge, extending preventative support and providing treatment to those who are suffering," said van Boxmeer.

Ben Knapen, the Netherlands Minister for European Affairs and International Co-operation said "my government believes that public-private partnerships are an important tool in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Bringing together partners from both the public and private sectors creates the synergy and leverage we need in order to step up our efforts."

The HIV/AIDS symposium is part of the "Heineken Cares" initiative, under the umbrella of the company's long-term sustainability approach "Brewing a Better Future."

Source: http://www.barbizmag.com/component/content/article/22-booze-news/1259-wanna-make-whisky

Market your business with cocktails!

Network with your customers through cocktails. Whether it's a Grand Opening or market penetration, Cocktail Classic event mixologists will take your business to the next level.

Features, advantages, and benefits.
Sipping and shopping is a new and innovative method to relax your customers while they peruse your products. Impress new and old customers with this great concept that will grab attention for sure.


Branding and Promotion
Use creative methods to promote your company brand. Serve custom cocktails at themed functions or for your next product launch, networking event, and company function. Your name says a whole  lot, why not say it a lot more!


Beat Your Competition
Make your customers feel appreciated. If 80-90% of your target market is over the age of 21, this is a great way to get ahead of your competitors. Serve you customers cocktails and they will come back again and again, not to mention building your market database.

Make Your Mark
If you have an idea of a cocktail that fits your company's look and feel, we will create it for you and serve it at your event. Make your mark as the first company to have your own brand inspired cocktail.

English Whiskey Company making special wedding malt for Prince William and Kate Middleton

According to Luxist.com, the English Whisky Company has been commissioned to create a special wedding malt for the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton. In Scottish tradition, a cask of whisky is laid down when a child is born and at their wedding, a "Wedding Malt" is made from a blend of the groom's cask and the bride's cask.

While it isn't classic wedding malt, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate with the royal couple. A limited quantity of commemorative 700 mL bottles are being offered, and are available directly from the distillery and from Single Malts Direct (www.singlemaltsdirect.com) at around 70 euros inclusive of the recently increased value added tax.

Source: http://www.barbizmag.com/component/content/article/22-booze-news/1244-plymouth-gin-celebrates-harry-johnson

Bacardi Signs Rafael Nadal For Safe Drinking Campaign

According to TheShout.com, Rafael Nadal, the world's top ranked tennis player has signed up to tbe the new global ambassador for the 'Champions Drink Responsibly' campaign developed by Bacardi. Nadal is currently the number 1 player on the ATP World Tour.
The Bacardi Limited initiative aims to encourage responsible drinking amongst consumers around the world using a variety of mediums including advertising, public relations, consumer experiential initiatives and social media platforms.
"I enjoy socializing with my friends and family and drinking responsibly is important no matter what your game is. That is why I'm teaming up with Bacardi Limited as I want to take the lead in promoting social responsibility to fans and consumers around the world," said Nadal.
Bacardi Limited sees Nadal as the perfect role model for its campaign because of his global appeal, and the company will soon be announcing details of the next phase of the campaign that will include events with Nadal around international tennis tournaments, including Madrid, Wimbledon, and the US Open.
"We are very excited to welcome Rafa to the Bacardi family as our new Global Social Responsibility Ambassador. Rafael Nadal is a world champion at the top of his game whose lifestyle and dedication reflects the values of our Company and this campaign," said Seamus McBride, President and CEO of Bacardi Limited.

Source:
http://www.barbizmag.com/component/content/article/22-booze-news/1257-plymouth-gin-celebrates-harry-johnson
 

7 signs that you are truly a bartender

True Bartenders are...

1. Charismatic - you have carisma and sometimes surprise yourself with the things you say or pull off, especially behind the bar.Charisma goes a long way. If you are lacking it, you may be lacking in tips too.
2. Night Owl - If you think 2am is late, try 5am! Most bartending jobs usually end at 2am or 3am, but the bartender stays until the place is cleaned up and after the guests leave...A true bartender always has a second wind for backup.
3.  Energetic - Nothing sucks more than a boring person serving drinks. A good bartender knows how to keep it going and coming...Always staying active and keeping watch over the guests, a good bartender never allows an empty glass at his or her bar (whether it's water, juice, or alcohol).
4. Enjoys people - True bartenders have "caretaker" spirits. They naturally listen and entertain their guests with ease. The service they give to their guests makes them feel rewarded.
5. Assertive - True bartenders are aware of the responsibility they have to protect people from over intoxication and harm. So being assertive is a necessary component to resisting service, settling tabs and maintaining control.  
6. Entrepreneurs - True bartenders are natural "hustlers." They build their clientel, establish relationships with those clients, and then capitalize off of them. Increasing their faith in your ability, you create new and innovative drink recipes and allow them to be the first to taste. Not only have you made them feel appreciated they may really like it and order the full drink. Sounds like a business to me.
7. Money - "If not for the love of money." I say. True bartenders won't sugar coat it. Bartending is a guaranteed money maker. When was the last time you went out to drink and didn't tip the bartender or server? Exactly!

 If you don't fit all the categories, don't be dissapointed. You can still be a bartender. But, even in our world there are bartenders that are good, some that are better, and others that make the most money. :)


Bottoms up.