USBG

Friday, August 13, 2010

Canton Bartender of the Year Competition



Ordinarily I would leave this type of post to the news aggregators, but I'm making an exception due to the sizable purse ($10,000) and the gentle encouragement from our local Canton ambassador Bill Norris. The Canton Bartender of the Year contest is afoot. Submit online between August 15-September 30. Cheers and good luck!

Cocktail Karaoke Coming Soon



Ladies and gentlemen, time to start tuning up your pipes. Our August chapter event will be Cocktail Karaoke, sponsored by Tuaca. Event runs 8-10pm, Monday August 30 at Chinatown downtown.
Tuaca will be previewing their new bottle and marketing strategy. Cocktails and vittles provided for USBG Austin members and invited guests.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Cabana Cachaca Olympics at TOTC 2010

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USBG Austin's Bill Norris and Jeff Boley represented ATX on the "home" team

The West Coast (Blue) Team won the contest, but we were there to support the Red Team: The Home Team representing New Orleans and Texas, co-captained by Ricky Gomez and Bill Norris; New Orleans’ Adam “Rex” Scott of Napoleon’s Itch, and Cole Newton from Coquette Bistro & Wine Bar, joined the Texas duo of Jeff Boley from Austin’s Paggi House and Joseph Mykal Le from Aka Sushi House in Houston

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USBG Chicago's Bridget Albert joined Francesco Lafranconi and Jared Brown on the judging panel

Monday, July 12, 2010

Bill Norris to Participate in Cocktail Hour at TOTC 2010



Austin's own Bill Norris will be joining the ranks of the most celebrated bartenders at this year's Cocktail Hour at Tales of the Cocktail. Chad Solomon, David Wondrich, Jeffrey Morgenthaler and Jonathan Pogash (USBG NYC President) are just a handful of the names who will be behind the bars at this year's event, which takes place at the Cabildo on the Thursday night of Tales. Cocktail Hour has grown into one of the most elaborate & star-studded events of the cocktail world, at which you can taste cocktails fashioned by not just some, but it seems like practically all, of the best in the business. Congrats to USBG Austin's Bill Norris for being invited to participate.

Friday, June 11, 2010

USBG Austin Well-Represented in Rare's Best-of Issue


The latest issue of Rare Magazine features their "Rarest of Them All" picks, and USBG Austin members are well-represented in the categories of Best Cocktail and Best Mixologist:

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

USBG Member Wins Oficial Drink of Austin Contest!



Abdul Ford of the Driskill Hotel has won the 2010 Official Drink of Austin Contest at the city's inaugural Night of the Bat event. Ford is a bartender at the Driskill and a member of USBG Austin. Here is the winning recipe (don't be alarmed by the "sweet & sour mix"--Abdul makes his own from fresh citrus and agave nectar):

"The Brazos Brasiliensis Batini"

• Tito's Vodka
• Hibiscus/Ginger Syrup
• Sweet & Sour Mix
Hibiscus/Ginger Syrup

• Sugar
• Water
• "Dry" Hibiscus
• Fresh Ginger
Boil all ingredients for 15 minutes; remove from heat and cool down for two hours in refrigerator. Strain and serve. Pick hibiscus flower over blackberry for bat garnish.

"The idea behind the drink was that, first and foremost, it had to be refreshing," says Abdul Ford, mixologist at The Driskill Hotel and creator of the winning drink. "It also had to be simple to make, but have complex flavors. And really, it had to look, smell and taste great."

Monday, June 7, 2010

Junior Merino y Siembra Azul @ Swoop House


"Liquid Chef" Junior Merino's tool bag

Tonight's meeting at the Swoop House was great. Thanks to David Suro of Siembra Azul tequila for sponsoring our event.

We started the evening off with a quick demonstration of Domaine de Canton cocktails by Bill Norris, USBG Austin member who is now doing some local work for them. Bill announced his intention to make John J & Ginger (Jameson & Canton, equal parts) the "official" drink of Austin's service industry.

David Suro led a discussion on tequila from his perspective as both a brand founder of Siembra Azul and owner of Tequilas restaurant in Philadelphia.


Junior Merino and his liquid colleague Heidi made four cocktails showcasing the Siembra Azul lineup and Junior's new line of signature syrups and salts.


Special thanks to Stephen Shallcross of the Swoop House and 2Dine4 catering for hosting and making the fabulous food.

After the official presentation, Junior showed us some footage from his Liquid Lab in NY, where invited guests get intensive hands-on training in flavor architecture.

USBG Meeting Moved to Swoop House



Tonight's USBG Austin meeting has been moved to the Swoop House, 3012 Gonzales, in order to accommodate a change in programming: David Suro, tequila expert and owner of Tequilas Restaurant in Philadelphia, and "the Liquid Chef" Junior Merino will be presenting tequila and cocktails with food from 2Dine4 catering, sponsored by Siembra Azul. 7-8:30 pm tonight.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Austin Julep Cup Winner Announced



Monday night's Austin Julep Cup had a great turnout of Austin bartenders, a mix of competitors and observers taking part in what we hope will be an annual event brought to you by Maker's Mark. Paggi House and bar manager Jeff Boley provided the facility.


Tipsy Tech graduates Zach Rose and Charles Cates at the Paggi House


The 2010 Cup went to Marcelo Nascimento of Lucky 13 Cocktail Catering. His recipe follows:

DARK HORSE JULEP
Description: A loose interpretation of the mint julep made with Maker’s Mark Bourbon, crushed basil, and a reduction of Guinness Draught, IBC Root Beer, fresh cherries, ginger root and sweetened with rapadura.

Ingredients:
1.75 oz Maker’s Mark 90 Bourbon
2 oz Dark Horse Reduction*
4 Basil leaves

Method:
In a double old fashioned glass, add Maker’s Mark, Dark Horse Reduction, and 3 basil leaves. Gently muddle ingredients and top with crushed ice. Stir and garnish with basil leaf that has been appropriately abused.

*Dark Horse Reduction:
Yields: approx 14 oz.

Ingredients:
1 cup fresh cherries, deseeded and crushed
1 TSP fresh ginger, minced
1 TBLS Heirloom orange zest
1 cup Guinness Draught
1 1/4 cup IBC Root Beer
1/4 cup filtered water
1 TBLS Rapadura, chopped (Hard Brown Sugar)

Method:
In a sauce pan, add all ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer/reduce by 1/3. Remove from heat and let cool. Strain and store cold.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Maker's Mark Mint Julep Cup


Adam and David raffling off Mint Julep bottles at Derby Day Austin

Adam Harris, our Austin area distillery diplomat for Maker's Mark, is hosting the inaugural Austin Julep Cup at Paggi House, Monday May 24 at 6pm.

Five bartenders will compete for this year's Cup:
Ace Manning of Peche
Marcelo Nacimiento of Lucky 13 Catering
Abdul Ford of the Driskill Hotel
Carter Wilsford of Peche (formerly of Specs south)
Stephan Ridoux representing the home team for Paggi House

There will be special presentations by Adam Harris of Maker’s Mark and Russell Davis, USBG Austin chapter President.

At 7:30, the bar will be turned over to any bartender in the house to take part in an informal cocktail jam.

Complimentary finger food and discounted Maker’s Mark all night

Marcelo Nascimento to Represent USBG Austin

New USBG Austin member Marcelo Nascimento of Lucky 13 Cocktail Catering has been selected to compete in the Milagro Margarita contest at Tales of the Cocktail this summer in New Orleans. Marcelo will represent the USBG Austin chapter in a competition among 15 USBG chapters from around the US.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Cabana Cachaca Bartender Olympics



Cabana Cachaca is hosting a Bartender Olympics at Tales of the Cocktail this year. Contact Bill Norris or your local Cabana official for the rules:

Monday, March 8, 2010

Chartreuse + Chili = Mmm



Chartreuse is generously hosting a tasting of the full lineup of their products, which is a real treat especially if you have never had the pleasure of tasting the aged VEP bottlings. Space is limited so RSVP is required.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

USBG Members Host Post-Carnival Happy Hour


Please join USBG members Jeff Boley and Cabana Cachaca Ambassador Bill Norris at Paggi House on Monday 2/22 for a Cabana Cachaca post Carnival happy hour on the patio from 5-7 pm. Complementary snacks and $5 Cabana drinks

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

March Meeting at Perla's

We're pleased to announce that venerable bar man Ben Craven has been generous enough to host our March 1st meeting at Perla's. There will be a brief business meeting followed by an informational tasting session. 3pm

Thursday, February 4, 2010

State of Austin Nightlife Interactive Chat w/ USBG Austin VP


USBG Austin members are invited to join in the online conversation on the State of Austin Nightlife with Statesman columnist Michael Barnes and USBG Austin VP David Alan. The conversation will take place on Thursday February 4 at 3:30pm at Barnes's Out & About blog at Austin360.com. Log in to the live chat and let us know what's on your mind in Austin nightlife!

Calling All USBG Allstarz-- Team Needed in Dallas for NBA All Star Weekend


USBG Austin prez Russell Davis and Social Committee chair Jeff Davis are putting together a 20 person bar staff for a party being held for NBA ALL STAR WEEKEND. It will be all weekend Feb 12-14 and is being held at the Dallas Nature and Science Museum. Celebrity guests in abundance, and Kid ‘n Play will be playing as well as others. Sponsors will be paying not only an upfront fee to have you come down, but also will be paying for hotel rooms and you’ll be making tips as well. This is going to be a huge event. Interested crew members should email or call Russell ASAP to confirm.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Sazerac Academy February 16


All USBG Austin members and prospective members are invited to attend the Sazerac Academy event on Tuesday, February 16 from 1-3pm at Twin Liquors Marketplace at Hancock Center. Ann Teunnerman, founder of Tales of the Cocktail, will be in Austin to present a short seminar on the history of the Sazerac, the official cocktail of New Orleans.

Each Sazerac Cocktail Academy will include:
Historical overview of the drink, the brand and the company
The significance and breakdown of each ingredient in the Sazerac
Memorabilia and artifacts on display
Hands on experience to make a Sazerac yourself
Oath of an Official Sazeractivist

All attendees will receive:
Framed limited edition Sazerac poster
Sazerac leather coaster
Sazerac business cards with recipe for grassroots distribution, encouraging imbibers to insist on the “authentic” recipe
Sazerac Academy certificate with their name and date on it
Opportunity to win door prizes

RSVP: Ann@TalesoftheCocktail.com by Thursday, February 11, 2010

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

USBG Austin Prez Launches Online Bartender Resource


USBG Austin chapter president Russell Davis is launching his Web site RockstarBartender.com and his first post is up on his site. RockstarBartender will be a multifaceted online resource for the bartending community and for cocktail enthusiasts alike. Site is expected to go full tilt by March 2010. Click here for a video of Russell doing Jerry Thomas's famous Blue Blazer.

Winter Luau at Eastside Show Room


USBG Austin chapter VP David Alan is hosting a weekly Tiki Happy Hour at East Side Show Room with bar manager Adam Bryan. The event runs 5-9pm every Monday and the cocktails are reasonably priced between $7-9. The focus is on classic cocktails from the Tiki era, as well as a couple of modern innovations from the likes of Kaiser Penguin (Nutmeg Needle) and Alan/Bryan themselves (Back in the ESSR.)

February Chapter Meeting--Monday February 01 at Nomad

The February Chapter Meeting will take place on Monday, February 1 at Nomad at 7pm. All members and prospective members are encouraged to attend. We will be handing out information on the upcoming Don Q cocktail competition.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

January Meeting at East Side Show Room

We kicked off our January meeting at East Side Show Room with several platters of charcuterie compliments of bar manager Adam Bryan. We had about a dozen members in attendance which seemed grand given the cacophony of holiday and post-holiday events going on.

Russell's complete meeting minutes are posted here:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AbznqzcAMVbpZGc4M2g4M3RfMTRnMnA3N2NmNA&hl=en