Jason Crawley has experienced every facet of the bar industry from mixing cocktails in some of the world’s best bars, to stepping over the counter to train thousands of Australian bartenders. We caught up with him recently to chat about a few of the projects he’s got in the pipeline and to get the lowdown on the recently released Formula app: formulaapp.com.au
The team here at Bartender, it is no secret, are partial to well construed rum cocktails. The Airmail is a delicious concoction that certainly fits this bill though it’s one we only came across but recently. We whipped one of these bad boys up after discovering it in The PDT Cocktail Book, but it first appears in 1941 in a book called Here’s How by W.C. Whitfield.
Jonathan Driver made a short trip to Australia recently and this time there were a few new products just added to the Johnnie Walker whisky portfolio. We took some time to chat to him about one of their most special creations, the Diamond Jubilee.
Vok Beverages recently released a new product in its portfolio, Bearded Lady bourbon. A new and innovative bourbon, it is set to create a stir within the more traditional category. Produced at the 5 Square Mile Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, it is made with 25% rye and has a smooth, rich flavour.
What’s with the name? Nothing sinister, so don’t fret. Apparently, the venue draws its inspiration from a grueling bike ride held every year in northern France. The interior has been designed by Lucas Chirnside and even from the photos you can tell that this new bar is onto something good. It’s got a look and feel that screams ‘attention to detail’ and it’s the sort of place that you’ll be happy to wait around for a while if your buddy is running late just taking in the view and the style. There’s an abundance of wood paneling, with trim lines threading throughout the walls and ceiling and the bar is inviting and well set out to perch on over a beer or spirit.
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.
You don’t need to be a wizard to see that Mexican themed bars and agave spirits are on the rise in Australia. With Touché Hombre opening recently in Melbourne, El Publico in Perth and Tio’s Cervecería in Sydney, never has Australia had a better selection of joints to sip on a tequila e sangrita.
Overlooking Moreton Bay with resort-style opulence and a hint of the Caribbean, is the newly completed Mon Komo Hotel. The Mon Komo Hotel is part of the greater Mon Komo development, which comprises residential living, short-stay accommodation and commercial tenancies, and the hotel completes the precinct by offering entertainment and dining options to both its residents and guests.
The RUm Cocktail Experiment – A big thanks to Glen Wheeler, John Toubia, Vanessa Hall, Bella Hallinan and Rhyley Wheeler showing up well before they should have been at work and taking part – and to owner Marty O’Sullivan for bending my ear and getting the team involved.
Will has been behind the bar at Eve for quite a stint now and recently made it down to Sydney for the Australian Bar Awards to see Eve take out Nightclub of the Year – finally! A huge supporter of the bar industry and Australian Bartender, we thought we’d better get him into the mag!
We are never not distracted, so there is no thought going on, no chance for an idea to pop into our over-stimulated heads. We used to live in a radio, TV and newspaper world, where you were constantly exposed to influences and information you’d never have thought of: we now live in an iPod, TiVo and blog world, safely insulated from anything that might surprise, challenge or upset our cushioned misconceptions
Super What Not is taking a page from the small bar phenomenon that is typically associated with Melbourne and Sydney. This latest addition, however, is on Burnett Lane in Brisbane’s CBD and is aiming to give the eclectic city mix something to cheer – and cheers – about.