Without question, one of the best perks of my job is the travelling to distilleries and bars around the world and interstate to catch up with industry friends and check out the local bar culture. One such a trip to Brisbane recently blew me away as the standard of bartenders and bars are exploding in this great town. You could point the finger to a few great bars like The Bowery, The Lark and more recently Canvas (pictured above) that have set the standard in bar culture and been heavily responsible for training and educating many of the best home grown bartenders.
In this issue of Bartender we have the two great Gaelic spirits going head to head. A line will be drawn in the sand – on one side the ‘Mcs’ and on the other the ‘Macs’. Long has there been divisive debate on whether whisk(e)y should be served with or without an ‘e’ and to whom the invention uisge beatha rightly belongs.
Last Chance to enter the Stella Artois World Draught Masters! Entries for the wildcard competition close at midnight on the 31st July
Do you want to attend the grand final for the Appleton Estate Bartender Challenge this coming Tuesday, July 10? There are five double passes up for grabs.
You’ll find Mischa Bonova down at Stitch bar most evenings, tending bar with a certain charm and warm smile. She’s been doing some big things for the stature of the girls in the bartending community, so we thought it was more than time we caught up for a chat!
The cocktailian crew behind the award winning bar 1806 have released their own in-house brew to compliment the bespoke cocktails they offer.
Check out Part Two of Bartender’s Irish pub, bar and distillery trail. Enjoy!
Chris Denman (Bartender of the Year Competition finalist 2011) and his partner Stevie Waite are some of Brisbane’s newest bar operators, with their Ann Street venue – Fourth Wall – pegged to launch by mid-June pending their licensing being approved. “The venue’s name taps into the old theatre concept of in imaginary wall that separates the actors from reality,” Denman explained. “We want to create a space that will let you escape from reality for a few hours and enjoy a venue that is intimate in what it offers, comfortable and fun.”
Get set for some cider-in-style! Rekorderlig is celebrating the launch of their ‘Winter Cider’ at the unique Rekorderlig Winter Forest, located at the Belgium Beer Café (Melbourne).
Don’t be afraid to move away from stocking just the regulation names and typical age statements behind your bar. Have some youthful Speyside malt and a young Islay expression on hand to offer people – it’ll be a revelation for all involved. Build it (or rather stock it) and they will come. Spruik the wonders of the spirit’s character. Tell customers that the whisky is as fresh and sweet as sitting at Port Askaig on a hot May afternoon and there’s just a hint of sea salt from the ocean spray. Tell the something. Get them excited.
Think Spirits is now holding precious stocks of the Dalmore Cigar Malt.