Hot News – December 2014

Updated: December 1, 2014

PERLICK ANNOUNCES PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP WITH AWARD-WINNING BARTENDER TOBIN ELLIS
Press Release

First Co-Designed Product – the Tobin Ellis Signature Cocktail Station – to Debut at NAFEM 2015

MILWAUKEE – Perlick, a leader in total package bar equipment and beverage dispensing systems, today announced a product development partnership with award-winning bartender and founder of BarMagic, Tobin Ellis. As the first partnership of its kind, Perlick and Ellis are working together to create a new, co-branded line of cocktail focused equipment. The first product in the new line, the Tobin Ellis Signature Cocktail Station, will be unveiled at the NAFEM Show

“It’s an honor to partner with a company that has been the industry leader for nearly a century. I am thrilled about the opportunity to mix Perlick’s history with my expertise to create a new line of products that represent a quantum leap forward in equipment design,” states Ellis. “Together, we’ve built a cocktail station that’s perfect for everything from craft cocktails to high-volume nightclubs and 5-star/5-diamond hotel environments. Perlick’s Tobin Ellis Signature Cocktail Station is the tricked-out underbar solution every serious bartender has dreamt about and every savvy operator has hoped for.”

The new, co-branded line of cocktail focused equipment consists of innovative product solutions that have been specifically engineered to be more ergonomic for bartenders and to better accommodate their needs when making craft cocktails. As the first product of the series, the Tobin Ellis Signature Cocktail Station includes a suite of new features – replete with what Ellis refers to as a “bartender cockpit” – all dedicated to the efficient production of cocktails in high-volume environments. Unique features of the Tobin Ellis Signature Cocktail Station include:

• Efficient design: From the “bartender cockpit”, it takes no more than two steps to reach everything (glasses, ice, liquor, garnishes, sink, etc.).

By the age of 30, Tobin Ellis was consulting, training, and running bar programs for Tavern on the Green, Caesars Palace, Winter Park Ski Resort, and clients in South Africa, Grand Cayman, and Nepal.

• Comfort and ergonomics: The overall design minimizes bending and reaching –
reducing fatigue and repetitive motion injury particularly to the knees and back. Many of the
design elements (like speed rails) are rounded to minimize discomfort from constantly bumping into hard/sharp or square edges.

NSF approved, easily accessible refrigerated drawers to store fresh herbs, cut citrus, berries and other delicate garnishes commonly used in classic and craft cocktails.
Shallow depth ice bins and speed rails to reduce the reach to the bar and the distance between the bartender and the patron – allowing the bartender to remain engaged with the guest without reaching or straining.
Divided ice storage to accommodate multiple sizes and types of ice. “As the leader in total package bar equipment, Perlick takes pride in creating quality products that complement current trends in the industry. One of the most popular trends right now is craft cocktails and the bartenders behind them,” states Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at Perlick, Tim Ebner. “Perlick is enthusiastic about partnering with Tobin Ellis because, in the end, the unique products we’re creating will help improve our clients’ bottom line by increasing both the efficiency and the quality of everything that’s crafted behind the bar.” For more information about Perlick and Tobin Ellis visit perlick.com/bar-beverage-equipment and for the latest news and announcements regarding NAFEM visit thenafemshow.org. ABOUT TOBIN ELLIS BarMagic Principal Tobin Ellis has 26 years of bartending, hospitality and nightlife experience. The six-time National Bartending Champion has been designing and building bars worldwide for the past ten years, and has served as a technical advisor and judge for a number of television networks including A&E, Travel Channel, Food Network, and NBC. ABOUT PERLICK®
Family owned since 1917, Perlick’s award-winning commercial product lines have maximized the profitability of the world’s finest restaurants, bars, stadiums, hotels and resorts. As a Milwaukee, Wisconsin, based manufacturer, Perlick is dedicated to providing innovative, customizable food and beverage storage and serving solutions. To learn more, visit perlick.com or call 800-558-5592.

February 19 -21, 2015

(booth 5834). At the show, Ellis will host demonstrations at Perlick’s booth where he will use the new station to make classic and craft cocktails.

8300 W. Good Hope Rd. Milwaukee, WI 53223 • (800) 558-5592 • perlick.com

To learn more you can CLICK HERE!

USBG WORLD CLASS U.S. COMPETITION SPONSORED BY DIAGEO
Press Release

If you are interested in entering into World Class, please follow these simple instructions to get started.

-If you are already a member within the USBG platform, please log into your account on USBGPulse.

-If you are a Non-USBG Member, please sign up with the 90-day membership to access USBGPulse, by Clicking Here.

-Once you have registered for your 90-day membership, or have entered into USBGPulse, please visit the “World Class” virtual lounge by Clicking Here.

-After accessing The World Class lounge, you will see “How to Register” as well as “Seminar Information“,

-”How to Register / Entering World Class” will go over the qualifications, terms and conditions, and will provide links to the recipe submissions page & the required learning page.

Deadline for submission, March 3rd.

-You may either take ONE of the two on-line learning tracks OR attend a live event.

-If you are interested in attending a live event, the “Seminar Information” page will provide dates and locations for upcoming events. Please click on a date to be taken to the calendar event. Once you click an event below, you will be taken to the calendar event where you can RSVP, and will receive a confirmation e-mail.

Contact

Questions? Problems?
Email worldclass@usbgpulse.org
or call 855-655-8724, x102.

For more info CLICK HERE!

TEQUILA SET FOR EXPERT BOOST AFTER RECORD 2014
By Andy Morton

Tequila exports are forecast to continue growing next year after new estimates showed they passed the US$1bn mark for the first time in 2014.

According to the National Chamber of the Tequila Industry (CNIT), export volumes will increase by 3% in 2015 to 180m litres. Volumes for this year are expected to be as much as 175m litres, an increase of 2% on the year before and equal to a record $1.1bn in sales.

The sales boost was a 10% increase on 2013, and CNIT said that passing the $1bn mark shows global consumers are looking for more value-added Tequila.

“Tequila has positioned itself as one of the most important spirits in the world, having a great potential for further growth in exports,” the chamber said.

Figures from the first half of this year showed that Tequila was on course to break through the $1bn barrier. First-half sales were up by 16% to $568m, driven by premium 100% agave Tequila exports to China, Russia and the US, Mexico’s agricultural department said.

What are some of your favorite tequilas and tequila cocktail recipes? Feel free to share by CLICKING HERE!

DIAGEO LAUNCHES NEW “JINZU” SAKE GIN
By Andy Morton

Diageo’s Jinzu Sake Gin

Category – Spirits, gin, 41.3% abv

Available – December 2014

Location – On-trade only, in the UK, Spain and Germany

Price – SRP of GBP33.50 (US$53) per 70cl bottle

Diageo has launched a new gin that uses Japanese botanicals with the addition of sake.

Jinzu was created by 24-year-old British bartender Dee Davies and was the winning entry in Diageo’s Show Your Spirit competition. Davies has worked with Diageo for the past year to bring Jinzu to market.

Botanicals include juniper berries, coriander and angelica alongside Japanese citrus fruit and cherry blossom. The spirit is then blended with Junmai sake.

Nick Temperley, head of Diageo Reserve GB, said: “The intention of the Show Your Spirit competition was to create a product for bartenders, by a bartender. We hugely value their unrivalled expertise and significance within our industry and feel that who better to inform our brands than those that work with them the most.”

In June, Diageo launched an Old Tom variant of one of its other gin brands, Tanqueray.

What are some of your favorite gin and gin cocktail recipes? Feel free to share by CLICKING HERE!

THE ROADHOUSE UK FLAIR COMPETITION

Roadhouse is an American themed bar & diner in the heart of London’s Covent Garden. Known throughout the world for its phenomenal bartenders and elite bar team, Roadhouse is also reputable for its recruitment process where only the ‘best of the best’ bartenders are selected to grace their presence & skill – making their own contribution to the success of the world famous Roadhouse.
That was then……..the year of 1999. Roadhouse identified the interest on Flair through the bartenders’ skills fast becoming a competitive game on shift, that we recognised the potential of bar teams all over London & beyond that we hosted an in-house Flair competition against another fellow Flair bar team, TGI Fridays. The night was so successful Roadhouse decided to develop the idea and open it up to the public…..this was the night where it all started.

Over the years the competition has been tweaked and molded to move with the times. People change, and so does the face of Flair. Roadhouse remains the leader in this field with the innovation of multi objects and strategic judging criteria. Still working on a ranking system and part of a league, Roadhouse utilises every month to make sure that the grand final holds host to the biggest names of flair in the world.
A special recognition must go out to Brett Seychelle who identified and pursued the interest in Flair to develop the Roadhouse Flair Competition. In addition to all who have participated, competed or contributed to Roadhouse Flair, we also thank previous organisers Troy, Andy Collinson, Lord Tugworth and Jay Du Toit for their involvement and promotion of the Roadhouse Flair competition, for whose efforts have made this competition the biggest in the world!!

FLAIR CALENDAR

February

Tom Dyer’s winning round from Roadhouse in February.

March

Luca Valentin’s winning round from Roadhouse in March.

30th Roadhouse World Challenge

Open to all international competitors. 2 places will be available for the Grand final in November.

(UK entrants will have their scores separated from international competitors and will be measured against their UK peers for the UK final in August. 3 spaces will be available for the UK Final)

April

Chicks with Flicks Video collage

13th Chicks with Flicks

Roadhouse will be holding the third ALL FEMALE flair competition in 13 years. Its a chance for all the great female flairers out there to show off their moves, and compete against an all girl line up. First place will win a whopping £1000, and a place in the Grand Final in November. Its a day not to be missed!!

27th Roadhouse World Challenge

Open to all international competitors. 2 places will be available for the Grand final in November.

(UK entrants will have their scores separated from international competitors and will be measured against their UK peers for the UK final in August. 3 spaces will be available for the UK Final)

May

18th Roadhouse World Challenge

Open to all international competitors. 2 places will be available for the Grand final in November.

(UK entrants will have their scores separated from international competitors and will be measured against their UK peers for the UK final in August. 3 spaces will be available for the UK Final)

June

29th Roadhouse World Challenge

Open to all International competitors. 2 places will be available for the Grand Final in November.

July

27th Roadhouse World Challenge

Open to all international competitors. 2 places will be available for the Grand final in November.

August

31st Roadhouse UK Final – UK Only

Every year, the UK’s finest dominate the Roadhouse stage to earn their UK ranking order. Battling it out live on the stage, we witness 25 of Britains Finest Bartenders going head to head, to see who will be crowned the UK champion.

September

14th – Chicks with Flicks

Roadhouse will be holding the fourth ALL FEMALE flair competition in 13 years. Its a chance for all the great female flairers out there to show off their moves, and compete against an all girl line up. First place will win a whopping £1000, and a place in the Grand Final in November. Its a day not to be missed!!

28th – Invite Only

October

26th October Roadhouse World Challenge and ZANTE REUNION

The Zante reunion has been a summer workers tradition thats working its way into its 8th year. After 6 solid months of drinking and working 7 days a week in the bar industry in the sunny island of Zante, all the workers meet up at Roadhouse for one last celebration to raise a glass to a great summer and to cheer on their favourite bartenders/conquests in true Zante style. This is a day NOT to be missed!

November

29th November Roadhouse World Challenge Grand Final

DAY 1
The first day of the Grand Final runs between 1pm-5pm, and will see all the World Final competitors completing a working flair drink, and getting their rankings for the next days exhibition flair.

30th November Roadhouse World Challenge Grand Final

DAY 2
The Grand Final will be in full swing, with the Best in the World competing for a whopping £10 000 1st prize!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO TOM DYER WINNING THE ROADHOUSE WORLD FINALS 2014! You can watch his winning round by clicking “Play” on the video above.

Watch the Roadhouse World Finals 2014 awards ceremony by clciking “Play” on the video above.

For more info you can CLICK HERE!

SECOND ANNUAL “ARE YOU INDISPENSABLE?” COCKTAIL COMPETITION SPONSORED BY PAMA
Press Release

PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur, the original, all-natural pomegranate liqueur, announces the second annual “Are You Indispensable?” Cocktail Competition. The competition is open exclusively to professional bartenders and mixologists. Six finalists will compete in New York City for a Grand Prize of $5,000, a second place prize of $2,000 and a third place prize of $1,000. The competition will showcase the limitless versatility that PAMA brings to bartenders that makes it the indispensable modifier. Its ruby-red color, delicate sweet-tart flavor and silky texture turn ordinary cocktails into unforgettable ones and transform bartenders into bar stars.

Second Annual “Are You Indispensable?” Cocktail Competition for PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur

Groundbreaking Competition Spotlights PAMA as the Indispensable Modifier

That Transforms Ordinary Tipples into Extraordinary Libations

WHAT

PAMA, the original, all-natural pomegranate liqueur, announces the second annual “Are You Indispensable?” Cocktail Competition for professional bartenders and mixologists age 21+. The competition, hosted by Hanna Lee Communications, Inc., spotlights PAMA’s role as the indispensable modifier that harmonizes an infinite array of base spirits, both clear and aged, and cocktail ingredients in drinks for every occasion and season. With its balanced sweet-tart flavor, silky texture and ruby-red color, PAMA brings complexity and sophistication to cocktails ranging from aperitifs to nightcaps.

PRIZES

Six finalists will be chosen to compete in New York City. The grand prize is $5,000, with second and third place winners awarded $2,000 and $1,000 prizes respectively.

COCKTAIL GUIDELINES

Any base spirit, clear or aged, may be used
The cocktail must contain a minimum of ½ oz of PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur
Recipes should use a maximum of four (4) common ingredients rather than those that are obscure or homemade
Techniques should likewise be straightforward to facilitate replication by home bartenders
All recipe ingredients are to be specified using U.S. measurements

HOW TO APPLY

A maximum of two (2) recipes, including cocktail names, list of ingredients, preparation method, inspiration behind each cocktail and cocktail photos should be uploaded at www.shakestir.com/PAMA.

SUBMISSION PERIOD

July 15 to December 30, 2014

FINAL COMPETITION DATE

March 2015

JUDGING PANEL

Paul Pacult – Noted spirits critic and publisher/editor of The Spirit Journal
Steve Olson – Founder of aka wine geek and renowned spirits, wine and cocktail expert
Julie Reiner – Doyenne of cocktails and owner of Flatiron Lounge and Clover Club
Kate Shapira Latts – Director of Marketing and a member of the third generation of the family behind Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., the parent company of PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur

COCKTAIL RECIPE OWNERSHIP

Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. will assume ownership of all the submitted recipes and will credit its creator in all publicity (print, broadcast, online), social media platforms, as well as marketing materials.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PAMA POMEGRANATE LIQUEUR

www.pamapros.com / Twitter: @PAMAPros

HOSTED BY

The competition is organized and hosted by Hanna Lee Communications, Inc.

www.facebook.com/HannaLeeCommunications / Twitter: @hannaleenyc

www.hannaleecommunications.com
Deadline is December 30, 2014.

To enter you can Click Here!