On Monday, May 14, begins the largest global cocktail event in history.

Approximately 200+ bartenders from around the world will compete in an unprecedented competition where only one winner is decided. The deciding factor is speed. It’s the one thing, that at one point (or several) in our career, we all measured who was best. Speed meant you got to keep your job. Speed meant you got to pay… your bills. Speed meant you got to survive and fight another day. If you were not fast, you did not belong.

Andres Walters took out the Sydney leg of the Global competition with a time of 2 minutes 5 seconds - impressive Andres, very impressive. Check out gourmantic.com for more images of the night.

This event is completely unsponsored. It was done through a network of like-minded individuals.

People around the world have donated their time, venues and products. Bartenders, Brand Ambassadors, Owners, Writers and others have worked together to see this through. I do not think there has ever been a time where all of us came together to work on one specific event. Many have looked past money and personal gains. We have helped organize this event because honestly it would be cool to be in a room full of people you either love, respect (or secretly hate) and see them presented with a round of cocktails that is utterly ridiculous and see them make what is probably the worst set of drinks in their careers

Details for the Sydney Event

Venue: Pelicano, 28 Bay St, Double Bay
Time: 6pm onward
Date: May 14

Global Rematch Beeyatch Sydney will be held at Pelicano, 28 Bay St, Double Bay on Monday 14^th May kicking off at 6pm.  Sydney’s finest will be going head to head with the world record holder, Luke Reddington getting pumped to defend his title and to set a new world record.  As always from The Colada Club, great times, fat beats and liquid treats are to be had so come down and support the fastest booze slingers down under!

Australia’s most coveted bartending title is gearing up for another round in 2012. The Bartender Magazine Bartender of the Year Competition sponsored by Ketel One is aimed at discovering and celebrating Australia’s top bartending talent - and if you’re a bartender you can get involved.

“This year we’ve done away with the voting process for the competition,” explains Bartender’s drinks editor and competition organiser Simon McGoram. “This competition is about finding excellence in bartending by testing all facets of the bartending craft and no popularity contest can help you with that.”

“Every year the standard of competitors in this challenge improves dramatically. It’s a sign that Australia’s bars and bartenders are becoming increasingly professional. We’d like to think that by championing the trade with this competition over the past decade that we’ve in some small way contributed to this improvement in standards.”

The Bartender Magazine Bartender of the Year Competition sponsored by Ketel One will be held over Sydney Bar Week - September 22-25, 2012. The winner will be announced at the Bartender Magazine Australian Bar Awards at Doltone House on September 25.

How to Enter

To compete we’re inviting all-comers to email their intent to participate to Bartender’s drinks editor and competition organiser Simon McGoram. Simply email your name, mobile number, postal address and venue you work at to simonmcgoram@fullproof.com.au to receive your invitation to compete at Sydney Bar Week this September. Entries close with the conclusion of Bar Awards voting on May 27.

The Prize

Apart from national bragging rights the winner of this year’s Bartender of the Year Competition will gain automatic entry into the Australian national World Class final in 2013. In addition to this the lucky winner, courtesy of Ketel One, will also win a trip for two to a Reserve brand home of their choice, choosing from Jose Cuervo in Mexico, the Malts Advocates Course in Scotland, Zacapa in Guatemala or a Tanqueray No Ten visit in England combined with Ketel One tour in Holland.

Do you have what it takes to compete in Australia’s premier bartending challenge? Well now you can take last year’s test to see if you have what it takes to compete in the Bartender Magazine Bartender of the Year Competition sponsored by Ketel One in 2012.

Use this test below to help with your revision - we won’t offer the answers (you’ll have to research those yourselves) and there will be completely different questions in this year’s exam based on content from the past 12 months of Bartender magazine.  This will give you a good idea of the format for this year’s paper and what level of study you’ll need to put in.

REALLY IMPORTANT - If you haven’t entered the Bartender of the Year Competition yet make sure you email your mobile number, postal address, venue and name to simonmcgoram@fullproof.com.au before midnight May 27.

TAKE THE TEST

Today saw 94 of Australia’s top barkeeps sit a gruelling written exam to vie for a place in the Top  20 of the Bartender Magazine Bartender of the Year Competition sponsored by RESERVE. Held at theloft on Sydney’s sunny King Street Wharf, this record breaking attendance for the first round of competition shows that it continues to be Australia’s most coveted bartending title.

Competition organiser, Simon McGoram - Bartender magazine’s drinks editor - says; “This year’s exam paper is one of the most challenging that bartenders have had to face to date. I’m totally awed by the level of knowledge displayed by the competitors who set a high standard of professionalism for the bar industry.”

Competitors had to explain the benefits of a ‘high cordon system’ in Armagnac production, display their classic cocktail knowledge by listing the ingredients for the Mary Pickford  and Last Word as well as demonstrate their practical experience by listing six different uses for a cocktail napkin.

“The amount of study put in by the bartenders was immediately evident today,” adds McGoram. “I mean how many people know the significance of the pineapple crest on the top of a bottle of Tanqueray gin? Apparently these guys do.”

The written test determined the Top 20 competitors who face another two days of challenges with a practical bartending round and taste test being held at Sydney BarShow’s Green Room tomorrow morning. If you’ve purchased your Sydney BarShow Seminar Pass you’ll be able to watch the Top Ten in action at 10:30am on Wednesday morning.

The Bartender Magazine Bartender of the Year Competition Top 20

(in no particular order)

• Tom Wood, Hugos Bar Pizza, Sydney
• Bill Bewsher, 399, Perth
• Luke Redington, Eau De Vie
• Sam Bygrave, Cohi Bar, Sydney
• James Connolly, Defectors, Perth
• Philip Gandevia, Eau De Vie, Sydney
• Tim Philips, Level 6, Sydney
• Chris Denman, Kerbside, Brisbane
• Ben Blair, Corner House, Sydney
• Nathan Beasley, Black Pearl/The Attic, Melbourne
• Lee Potter Cavanagh, Victoria Room, Sydney
• Kal Moore, Canvas Club, Brisbane
• Daniel Gregory, Eau De Vie, Sydney
• Gerald Faundez, Zuri, Brisbane
• Jessica Arnott, Victoria Room, Sydney
• Perryn Collier, Laneway, Brisbane
• Chris Hysted, Black Pearl/The Attic, Melbourne
• Adam Smith, Press Club, Brisbane
• Noriel Calub, Goldfish, Sydney
• Brendan Osmers, The Bowery, Brisbane

Australia’s leg of the global Angostura Cocktail Challenge is well under way thanks to a bumper turn out at the New South Wales state final on Monday night. Held at Sydney’s shrine to rum - La Bodeguita Del Medio - it was Rockpool Bar & Grill’s Neilsen Braid who proved he can stomach his bitters with the best of them by shrugging off the other competitors to take out the state title.

The finalists were asked to prepare two creative drinks, enhancing an Australian classic - the Angostura lemon, lime & bitters and the second based on enhancing the flavours found in Angostura Rum and Aromatic Bitters, within a six minute window.

The first off five state finals, Monday night’s victory brings Braid one step closer to winning a trip to Trinidad to take on the world.  Before Australia’s representative can be decided, however, victors from the state finals will meet in a final clash of cocktailian creativity set for October 24.

You can catch the action at the Victorian state final this coming Monday (August 29) at Melbourne’s Byblos Bar & Restaurant from 7pm.

The Deets:

Vic State Finalists:

Owen Westman (The Collection Bar)

Kyle Aitken (Byblos Bar & Restaurant)

Nathan Beasley (Black Pearl)

Brad Cooke (Chin Chin)

Merlin Jerebine (Melbourne Bars United)

Eddie Lai (Velvet Bar)

Jason Lindsay (Vue De Monde)

Shelby Richardson (Star Bar, Tasmaina)

Venue: Byblos Bar & Restaurant, World Trade Centre, Melbourne

Date: August 29, 2011

Time: 7pm until late

RSVP: to receive your complimentary cocktail and gift on arrival. Contact either Brit or Steven on bpage@island2island.com.au or scipriani@island2island.com.au

Angostura has announced that their Global Cocktail Challenge is set to become an annual event due to its increasing success on the Cocktail Competition circuit.

As in previous years the Australian winner will win a trip to The House of Angostura in Trinidad to compete in the Global Challenge - home to the famous Angostura aromatic bitters and Angostura Rum, as well as $2000 cash.

island2island Beverage Company, the Australian distributor will hold the State Finals throughout August and September with the National Final on 24^th October.

To be a part of the action registration opens 11 July, visit island2island.com.au to enter and for more details.  The first 50 valid entries will receive an Angostura Gift Pack valued at $70. Entries close 8 August 2011.

What does Tyawan, an Aboriginal witch doctor, a virgin Polynesian Princess called Loka Kemoa and Seamus Morgan, a former treacherous pirate of infamy, have in common? Easy. These three equally colourful characters were the finalists in the recent Appleton estate Tiki Mug competition that sought to bring out the wacky, encourage the bizarre and promote lunacy all in the name of creating immortality - and a damn cool tiki mug to boot.

With over 40 entries for this year’s competition there were some pretty serious contenders for the crown, however a winner stood clearly apart from the crowd. Pete Long, from Perth’s Hula Bula Bar (a place that could be described as the beating heart of Australian tiki), and his alternate personality Seamus Morgan took out the coveted prize.

“This competition has been a wonderful exercise to involve the bartending community in the creation of a product that they already know, love and use,” said Brown Forman’s Darren West.

Taking out the top spot includes a once in a lifetime trip to Jamaica to visit Appleton Estate, as well as the privilege of having his tiki mug produced and distributed on a national scale.

“This competition has been a wonderful exercise to involve the bartending community in the creation of a product that they already know, love and use.” Darren West, Brown Forman

“I am pretty awestruck by the thought that my mug will be sent to bars throughout Australia and enjoyed by countless amounts of rum lovers,” said Long after hearing of his win. “It’s great to be a part of it and I’m damn pleased I get to work with amazing designers to bring out the best mug yet!”

“The inspiration for my idea came from a board game I’ve been developing on and off for a few years. It’s using my own illustration and ideas. It’s pirate themed and involves a lot of cool junk like voodoo, cannibals, a volcano, rum, a giant squid, rum, more rum…”

“Seamus Morgan is the voodoo ghost pirate villain,” Long stated. “The character developed over a long time while creating my game, so it was amazing to have a competition like this one pop up where I had such a great submission ready to go - Seamus Morgan is a conglomerate of everything I love that is evil about pirates and ghosts.” Of his impending trip Long stated; “Visiting the Appleton Estate is also a really great opportunity for a bartender who works at a bar that serves 80 rums and I can’t wait to see it made first hand.”

With this year’s competition a huge success bartenders can expect to have more opportunities in the future to get involved says West; “The overwhelming response, as well as the calibre of entries, re-affirmed our decision to extend the design process to the industry and motivated Appleton Estate Rum to pursue this competition for future Tiki Mugs.”

Pete Long’s winning entry:

Seamus Morgan, a former treacherous pirate of infamy is now a ghost pirate, a disturbed soul. Morgan met his end when he was drawn and quartered, leaving his remains to be scattered over a remote tropical island. He haunts the island in this scattered state - practicing powerful voodoo over the forces of nature surrounding his home; volcanoes, tidal waves, and the deadly kraken that lurks beneath the waves. In Morgan’s quest for eternal rest, ships and standing crew are drawn to his shores, where they are condemned to risk the dangers of the island to return his bones to his grave.

Brown-Forman and Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack will be hosting a cocktail competition for the Canberra bartending community on the 1st August, 2011.

The Knightsbridge Penthouse will accommodate the local bartending fraternity and will see six finalists on the night battle it out for cash prizes through their own interpretations of the perfect Gentleman Jack serve.

For more information contact Stuart Reeves, NSW Brand Ambassador Brown Forman Stuart_Reeves@b-f.com

Last night saw the culmination of Reserve’s year long World Class program on Australian shores. And taking out top honours after three long days of fierce competition was Tim Philips from ivy’s Level 6 in Sydney. Runners-up in this epic bartending battle were Phil Gandevia of  Sydney’s Eau De Vie and and Marco Nunes from Brisbane’s Canvas.

The final event saw judges, finalists and the organisers be treated to cocktails and dinner at Sydney’s hottest new restaurant Gastro Park. With doors opened to World Class competitors and friends after the meal, Philip’s triumph was greeted by a throng of industry well-wishers.

Philips will now travel to Delhi in July to take on the national winners from participating countries at the Global World Class Final.

The Very Best: The Return of Australia’s Ultimate Bartending Challenge

By Simon McGoram

Photography by Dave McKelvey

It’s that time of year again where we ask bartenders who think they’re worthy of their spiced Bloody Mary salt to step up to the plate and put themselves forward for Australia’s ultimate bartending challenge: The Bartender Magazine Bartender of the Year Competition. For years this comp has been building a fierce reputation as a real challenge for the nation’s top barkeeps. In 2011, with the valued support of our new sponsors - Diageo’s Reserve, we’re in no doubt that we’ll find a winner worthy of this now hallowed title. Nominations are now open online so head to barshow.com.au to start your bid for bartending glory.

Every year, this competition grows to give more Aussie bartenders a crack at the title. Last years’ comp was no exception with more than 140 bartenders being asked to compete during Sydney BarShow Week in September. Last year’s Top 10 saw a great mix of competition veterans and new faces grace the Mixology stage at the show and, after his fifth crack at the comp and including three previous Top 10 placings, Jason Williams finally took out the number one spot.

“Wow! What a feeling and what a moment,” said Williams after winning his award. “The Love that I felt around the room was amazing - it really felt like I’d won Bartender of the Year with everyone.”

“The competition gets harder and harder,” continues Williams. “The passion and and dedication demonstrated by the professional bartenders is astounding. The girls and guys who put the study in, got creative with drink ideas and generally honed their craft are an inspiration - especially for someone like me who has done it five times now.”

Putting on a event of this standard requires a dedicated sponsor and it has been Bartender magazine’s absolute pleasure to announce that Reserve has come on board as our official sponsor for 2011. Reserve’s extensive portfolio of luxury brands means we can look forward to some cracking cocktails at the Mixology stage final and their dedicated team has also offered to host a series of work-shops and training sessions aimed at helping bartenders prepare for the competition. Anyone who wants to get involved in these trainings is more than welcome to attend.

Get your Bartender Magazine Bartender of the Year Competition bid underway today. Visit barshow.com.au to nominate yourself today!

How to Enter and Top Tips

• Nominate yourself. Visit barshow.com.au to vote. Like any competition you have to enter it to stand a chance at winning. And ask you bartending buddies vote for you while you’re at it.

• Get reading. While knowledge isn’t the be all and end of the bartending trade you have to score highly in the written test to show off your other skills.

• Be prepared. Don’t leave your study or your cocktails for the final round until the last minute. Everyone gets nervous. But you can save a lot of stress with just a little preparation.

• Get drinking (responsibly). Sharpen your palate by tasting everything in sight. You will need to know your Guatemalan from your Martinique, Islay from your Speyside and Chardonnay from your Semillon. There is always a tasting component of some description and it’s intended to be tough!

For more information please email: smcgoram@spatonmedia.com

The Prize
Our sponsors, Reserve, are upping the ante in 2011. Apart from national bragging rights the winner of this year’s Bartender of the Year Competition will gain automatic entry into the Australian national World Class final in 2012. In addition to this the lucky winner will also win a trip for two to a Reserve brand home of their choice, choosing from Jose Cuervo in Mexico, the Malts Advocates Course in Scotland, Zacapa in Guatemala or a Tanqueray No Ten visit in England combined with Ketel One tour in Holland.