Stephan Berg of the Bitter Truth is planning to introduce all of his bitters here shortly through distribution channels, starting in January with The Bitter Truth Orange Bitters, Old Time Aromatic Bitters, Lemon Bitters, Celery Bitters, Bittermens Grapefruit Bitters and Bittermens Xocolatl Mole Bitters. Sixteen states will be part of the rollout, so bartenders will no longer have to finagle their own import methods, i.e. smuggled in. Meanwhile, the enterprising Berg has just launched a potable bitters called Elixier in Europe, and though the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) will slow down introduction here in the U.S., it’s sure that some enterprising bartenders will grab a few bottles of their own when in Germany or any other market Berg breaks into with his products. A digestive liqueur, Elixier is “rooted in the traditions of both classic sweet vermouths and alpine digestive tonics,” he says.
Simon Difford, he of England’s Class magazine and Difford’s Guides, has announced the launch of London Cocktail Week, Oct. 11 – 17, 2010. Joining up with other UK industry players, Difford is starting to plan a week of pop-up cocktail bars, seminars, training sessions and shows, including the Restaurant Show, the Rum & Cane Spirit Festival (AKA Rum Fest) and the Class Show. He’s looking for ideas for event hosting — reach him here.
Gritty Manchester, England, gets a new club with an upgraded cocktail menu: House 9 is an old lock-keeper’s cottage built over three floors, with little nooks and crannies and two outdoor terraces. The upmarket spot is the only bar with Belvedere Vodka and Ron Zacapa rum in England’s northwest. The drink menu is filled with creative hand-made cocktails, less common in Manchester than mixology-centric London.