GENERATIONS! We come and we go…

As the years go by, we see many bartenders come and go. Some great and some that just like to have a great time. Some pass by and some leave a lasting memory that stays with you for generations…

One of these great bartenders was Ed Hibbert. For those of you lucky enough to have known Ed, he was the guy for many years that just seemed to always place second place in many major Flair bartending competition for quite some years. Hence he got the nickname “Deuce” or “Vice President”. He brought back the art of “Tin Flair” like Rob Ford before him.

More importantly he was a selfless, caring and great individual. He always had time to talk to the rookies and make them feel special and even show them some cool tin moves to work on. He has touched many lives in his time and it was very sad to hear he has passed on. He will be missed by many friends throughout the world… probably more then he will ever know. I know we will miss his smile and great martinis here but I know he will be welcomed in heaven with open arms to tend bar with that signature smile and never drop a tin again. We will all miss you my friend… Rest in peace.

Staying positive…

The last time I had the pleasure of sharing a drink or two, three or four with Ed was down at the Bartenders Bash Series. He showed up out of the blue and asked “Do you need a judge?”… Glad to have spent one last time with a good friend at a great party! You can read the full story and more on our ‘Comp Reviews’ page. I’m still having flashbacks from the Absolut Vodka VIP Party on Monday

From one great party to another, next we move on to New Orleans for Tales of the Cocktail 2009. One week of education and partying with frequent contributors to Flairbar.com and many new friends… all on our ‘And Finally’ page. Already looking forward to next year!

Speaking of Mixology and fun, we have Brian Loukmas. Former Flair bartender turned judge and now corporate Mixologist for Bacardi… Check out “Flair & Mixology Evolved & Intertwined” featuring Brain Loukmas all on our ‘Interviews’ page. Looking forward to seeing you at Summer Flair 4 & Mixology Matters my friend.

Then you can check out “Flair Evolves!” all on our ‘Articles’ page. An interesting article on the evolution of some of the past Flair bartenders to todays industry professionals. Sounds like a good investment for any corporate sponsors out there

Next we have a former Flair bartender and runner-up for Absolut Top Bartender… Graham Kimura. He shows us a cool Exhibition Flair bottle & tin sequence on our ‘Masterclass’ page for all of you beginner Flair bartenders out there. Graham now works as a brand ambassador himself in our industry… hmmmm… I’m starting to see a pattern… Lol.

From Flair to Mixology… next we head over to Paris, France with Laurent Greco from Bar Academy Paris as he shares with us his “Marvelous Martinis” on our ‘Flavors’ page. Still love that Tiramisu martini.

For all of you other mixologists out there… Don’t forget to contribute to our content collector called ‘Cocktails’. This is where you can share your own Absolut Vodka and Finest Call cocktail recipes with the rest of the world and get credit for it. Have a great drink you invented? Want to share it with the rest of the world? Think it is worthy? Prove it!

Kevin Bednarz is back again with one of our newest additions, “Flairmation” which we revisit “Last Call Larry” dealing with online bar realitionships. All on our “Flairmation” page. Yeah… how many times have we all seen that at our bar… Lol.

Anthony Alba is back ‘In The Mix’ as he shares with us “A Mayor, a Mixologist and a Martini…”. Good stuff and you have to love Las Vegas! See you soon at Summer Flair 4 & Mixology Matters my friend.

We are pleased to announce that the “Glossary” is back! It took some work but we blew off the dust and changed the batteries and it is up and running at full power. Be sure to keep an eye on it as we will continue to keep adding to this on going database of Flair bartending knowledge.

Next we have our ‘Reader Contest’ results for our loyal Flairbar.com readers. Plus our regular features, more ‘Barware’, more pages, and more Flair than you can shake a five tin move at.

So take some time out and enjoy a cocktail with Absolut Vodka and Finest Call, or a Bud Light Lime as you enjoy this months issue of Flairbar.com and say “Thank You” to the sponsors who keep our sport alive.

To Flair & Friends.

Rob Husted