USBG Austin

Canton Bartender of the Year Competition

2010-08-13T12:00:00.001-07:00

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

2010-08-13T11:24:00.001-07:00

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.

Cabana Cachaca Olympics at TOTC 2010

2010-08-02T21:02:00.001-07:00

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

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

Bill Norris to Participate in Cocktail Hour at TOTC 2010

2010-07-12T15:51:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2010-06-11T12:20:00.000-07:00

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:

USBG Member Wins Oficial Drink of Austin Contest!

2010-06-08T10:49:00.000-07:00

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."

Junior Merino y Siembra Azul @ Swoop House

2010-06-07T20:59:00.000-07:00

"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

2010-06-07T12:28:00.000-07:00

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.

Austin Julep Cup Winner Announced

2010-05-26T15:39:00.000-07:00

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.

Maker's Mark Mint Julep Cup

2010-05-22T11:09:00.001-07:00

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

2010-05-22T11:03:00.000-07:00

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.

Cabana Cachaca Bartender Olympics

2010-05-13T09:37:00.000-07:00

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:

Chartreuse + Chili = Mmm

2010-03-08T14:42:00.000-08:00

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.

USBG Members Host Post-Carnival Happy Hour

2010-02-21T07:08:00.000-08:00

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

March Meeting at Perla's

2010-02-09T21:16:00.001-08:00

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

State of Austin Nightlife Interactive Chat w/ USBG Austin VP

2010-02-04T09:32:00.001-08:00

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

2010-02-04T09:22:00.000-08:00

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.

Sazerac Academy February 16

2010-02-03T09:56:00.000-08:00

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

USBG Austin Prez Launches Online Bartender Resource

2010-01-27T11:41:00.001-08:00

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

2010-01-27T11:33:00.001-08:00

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

2010-01-27T11:30:00.000-08:00

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.

January Meeting at East Side Show Room

2010-01-12T21:43:00.000-08:00

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

December Chapter Meeting at Good Knight

2009-12-17T09:52:00.000-08:00

With each chapter meeting we start with a 45 min business meeting, then break and resume with a 45min-1hr information session where reps from various brands talk about their products in an informal "taste-around" format. This week we had Bill Norris demonstrating his Cabana Cachaca cocktails; Adam Harris from Maker's Mark showing us the various steps in the aging process; Stephen Germarian from Balcones Distilling tasting us on their Baby Blue Corn Whiskey and RUmble; and Platinum spirits tasting their flavored vodkas.

Meeting Minutes are posted on a separate Web site here: http://docs.google.com/View?id=dg83h83t_8gpb2bghp

Charity Casino & Cocktails this Saturday

2009-12-17T09:31:00.000-08:00

USBG Austin member Jeff Davis is hosting his annual fundraiser for Safe Place this Saturday December 19, 2009. In addition to mock casino games, there will be classic cocktail demonstrations by members of USBG/Austin.

Location: The Phoenix located at 409 Colorado Street Austin, Texas 78701
Time: 8pm to Midnight
Liquor sponsor: Maker’s Mark
Admission: $10.00 plus unwrapped children’s toy (Pre Sale), $15.00 at the door
RSVP for Pre Sale Tickets Purchase to jefferyATjefferykdavis.com
Attire:
Gentlemen-Jackets Requested, Black Tie Encouraged
Ladies-Your finest (photographer will be present)

Please forward this invite to your friends, family and co workers. Open invitation for a worthy cause!

Holiday Cheers From Our Maker's Mark Diplomat

2009-12-10T09:57:00.001-08:00

The local Maker's Mark Distillery Diplomat and USBG Austin member Adam Harris will be hosting an event for USBG members and whisky aficionados next Monday night at the Paggi House. He will be doing an educational event centered on Egg Nog, with the assistance of Paggie House bar manager/USBG member Jeff Boley. Bring your friends and ask them to bring canned goods or other nonperishable foods. All will be donated to a local food bank. Let Adam know you'll be there by dropping him a line at adam.harris(AT)makersmark.com with the subject line "Austin Nog" and tell him how many folks will be in your sleigh.

Here's a little holiday treat from Adam, who in addition to being the Maker's Mark distillery diplomat for our area is also a talented bartender:

"Holiday Julep"
In a Julep cup add:
1 scoop of lignon berry preserves
3/4 pt Heering Cherry Liqueur
1 dash of Fee Brothers barell aged bitters
Mash together gently with the flat end of your barspoon
add 2 pts Maker's Mark
Fill the cup half way with crushed ice and stir well until the cup is frozen over. Add more crushed ice to form a snow cone. In the middle of the cup stick a large, fresh and aromatic stem of rosemary in the ice and place a straw adjacent. Happy Holidays.

January Chapter Meeting Confirmed

2009-12-08T12:32:00.000-08:00

The January chapter meeting will be held at East Side Show Room on Monday January 4 at 3pm. The business meeting will take place from 3-4pm with fromage and charcuterie compliments of the Show Room. A 4pm we will start our 1-hr tasting & education segment. The meeting is open to members & prospective members alike, although only members can vote on chapter business.

USBG Austin Announces Special Discount Membership

2009-12-07T17:35:00.000-08:00

USBG Austin has secured a special discounted membership rate of $50 for the first year, a 50% discount off the normal rate of $100. We encourage all interested bartenders to join at this discounted rate. Our next meeting is January 4 at 3pm at the Eastside Show Room. Please email membership inquiries to chapter president Russell Davis at russellbartender(at sign)gmail.com

USBG Austin Members Take Top Spots at Drink Local Cocktail Contest

2009-12-07T16:39:00.001-08:00

USBG Austin chapter was well-represented at last night's Drink Local Cocktail Contest, hosted by Edible Austin magazine and TipsyTexan.com. The first prize was taken by USBG Austin treasurer Lara Nixon with her cocktail "We're in it for the Corn." Second place was taken by FINO bar manager Bill Norris with his "Texas Campfire Flip."

Lara Nixon's winning cocktail
We're in it for the Corn
2 oz organic sweet corn infused Balcones Baby Blue Corn Whiskey
1/2 oz Velvet Falernum
1/4 oz Paula's Texas Orange
1/4 oz Del Maguey Mezcal-Chichicapa

Expressed orange peel seasoned cocktail glass. Stir ingredients, strain into cocktail glas (non-chilled) and garnish with Organic roasted sweet corn.

Bill Norris's second place cocktail
Texas Campfire Flip
2 oz Baby Blue Corn Whisky
1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
.5 oz Raw Sugar Simple Syrup
2 Bar Spoons Del Maguey Chichicapa
1 2 inch spring wild Texas rosemary + 1 2 inch sprig for Garnish
1 whole local farm egg
Angostura Bitters for Garnish

In a tempered mixing glass, place rosemary sprig in mescal. Carefully ignite the mescal to toast the rosemary and allow it to burn off.

Add Baby Blue Corn Whisky, lemon juice, simple syrup, whole egg and ice. Shake until your arms hurt and strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with additional sprig of rosemary and several drops of Angostura Bitters.

USBG Meeting Tonight at the Good Knight

2009-12-07T16:11:00.000-08:00

The Austin/Central Texas chapter of the United States Bartenders Guild is meeting tonight at 7pm at the Good Knight, 1300 E. Sixth. Billy Hankey presides over the bar there and will be hosting us tonight. I had the pleasure of tasting some of Billy's cocktail creations last night.

The business meeting starts at 7pm; at 8pm we will start our tasting & education session which will feature brief presentations by Cabana Cachaca, Balcones Distilling and more.