Serrallés USA, exclusive importers of DonQ, Puerto Rico`s premium rum, hosted its “MixItUp 2010 Mixology Challenge” in partnership with the United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) at the Manhattan Cocktail Classic May 17. Fifteen USBG finalists representing their USBG chapters gathered in NYC to attend the Classic and compete for a chance to represent the U.S. in Puerto Rico this June. The 15 finalists were Bill Norris, Austin, Texas; Dub Davis, Dallas; Charles Joly, Chicago; Noah Heaney, Denver; Kristina Howald, Southern California; John Lermayer, Miami; Mathias Simmonis, Milwaukee; Rhiannon Enlil, New Orleans; Brian Matthys, NYC; Tony Devencenzi, Northern California; Nate Selsor, St. Louis; Kyle Reutner, Hawaii; Darren West, Las Vegas; Matthew Doerr, Phoenix; and Andreas Kaluli, Philadelphia.
An esteemed tasting panel sipped and studied each cocktail at Albert Trummer’s Theater Bar, including Tony Abou-Ganim, The Modern Mixologist; Allen Katz, director of mixology & spirits education, Southern Wine & Spirits of NY; Francine Cohen, publisher/editor in chief, Inside F&B; Albert Trummer, NYC, owner Apotheke and Theater Bar; James Menite, Porterhouse New York; and Peter Vestinos, USBG technical judge and mixologist.
Five finalists were selected to compete as the USBG U.S. Drink Team against the Puerto Rico Drink Team at the “MixItUp 2010 Mixology Challenge Finals” in June. This international competition will be held at the Caribe Hilton Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico, during the Noche de San Juan Festivities. As finalists, the U.S. Drink team will also enjoy exclusive tours of the world-renowned Destilería Serrallés—home to DonQ Rum—and the Serrallés Castle.
The USBG U.S. Drink Team is Matthys, Tony Devencenzi, Joly, West and Heaney. Congratulations and good luck in Puerto Rico!