Will you be in New Orleans for Tales next week? ... Of course you will!
The USBG will be there in full force this year, so come support your fellow cocktailians at their events.
USBG Milagro Tequila Margarita Competition
Friday, July 23, 7:30 – 10 p.m.
Board of Trade
$45 (advance), $50 (door)
Tequila may come from south of the border, but people from all over the world put it to good use. Join us for the United States Bartenders Guild’s Milagro Tequila Competition as 28 bartenders from 15 different cities put their best Margaritas up against one another. You'll be able to sample the festive spirits as the bartenders compete not just for personal fame but the right to bring the title back to their hometown.
Austin, Texas: Marcelo Nascimento of Lucky 13 Cocktail Catering
Chicago: Daniel M de Oliveira of Mercadito, Double A and Crimson Lounge
Dallas: Michael Martensen of Cedars Social
Denver: Bryan Dayton of Frasca Food and Wine
Honolulu: Kyle Reutner of Thirty-Nine Hotel
Las Vegas: Patricia Richardson of the Wynn, Las Vegas & Encore
Los Angeles: Rhachel Shaw of Malo Cantina
Miami: Gabriel Orta of the Florida Room
Milwaukee: Mathias Simonis of the Velvet Hour and Soho 7
New Orleans: Eric Molina of the Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone
New York City: Abigail Gullo of Bar Celona Lounge
Philadelphia: Phoebe Esmon of Chick’s Café and Wine Bar
Phoenix: Cassandra La Pietra of Roka Akor
San Francisco: Alex Smith of Smuggler’s Cove
St. Louis: M. Matt Obermark, Jr. of the Atomic Cowboy
To see these competitors’ bios and pictures and to purchase a ticket to this event, visit www.talesofthecocktail.com/events/competitions.
The USBG Master Accreditation Program Testing Session
USBG Spirits Professional Exam
Tuesday, July 20, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Bellegrove Suite, The Royal Sonesta Hotel
Successfully passing this test will qualify the candidate as a USBG Spirits Professional, ensuring employers and colleagues that they are knowledgeable and well versed in all spirit categories from every corner of the world including sake, beer, wine, service, history of cocktails, mixology and more.
Test Fee: The Level 1 test is FREE the first time for USBG members only; any subsequent tests for USBG members are $50 and $175 for non-members.
Click here to join the USBG now! www.usbg.org/MembershipCenter#Join
Please RSVP to usbg_events@hotmail.com to reserve your seat!
The USBG Advanced Bartender Exam is SOLD OUT.
Here are some interesting seminars moderated by our USBG members that still have seats left!
Brandies of Jerez
Saturday, July 24, 10:30 a.m. - noon
Grand Ballroom South, The Royal Sonesta Hotel
$40 (advance), $45 (door)
Do you really know it all? Enhance your knowledge toward one of man's best-kept secret: The Fascinating World of Brandy de Jerez! Experience the magical duende — the heart and soul of Brandy de Jerez.
Sponsored by: Cardenal Mendoza, Lepanto, Gran Duque d'Alba, Carlos I Brandy
Moderators: Francesco Lafranconi, USBG National Ambassador
Gin Cocktails - From the lost and forgotten classics to the new contemporary
Friday, July 23, 10:30 a.m. - noon
Grand Ballroom North, The Royal Sonesta Hotel
$40 (advance), $45 (door)
This seminar will rediscover lost and forgotten classic gin cocktails, while also taking a look at modern day, contemporary gin cocktails.
Sponsored by: Bombay Sapphire, Hayman's Old Tom Gin, Plymouth Gin, Perfect Purée, Hendrick's Gin
Moderators: Charlotte Voisey, longtime USBG member, and Tony Abou-Ganim, USBG National Ambassador
Religious Spirits
Sunday, July 25, 10:30 a.m. - noon
$40 (advance), $45 (door)
Predating cocktail culture by centuries, the monastic orders of Europe were and continue to be a key link in the intersection of brewing and distillation.
Sponsored by: Benedictine, Chartreuse
Moderators: Allen Katz, longtime USBG NY Council Member
Panelists: Garrett Oliver
So You Want to Be A Consultant: What it Really Takes
Thursday, July 22, 3:30 - 5 p.m.
The Riverview Room, Hotel Monteleone
$40 (advance), $45 (door)
The goal of this fast-paced and entertaining session will be to demystify and define what it really takes to be a beverage consultant. It also will set benchmarks for knowledge, standards, service and professionalism in order to ensure that consulting remains a respected and valuable profession within the beverage industry for many years to come.
Sponsored by: Appleton Estate Reserve, Averna
Moderators: Willy Shine, Tad Carducci, USBG Member
Panelists: Tobin Ellis, Jacques Bezuidenhout, USBG Member