Top Bartenders of USA to judge the 2021 Bartender Spirits Awards
Malvika Patel
Editor and VP at Beverage Trade Network, USA Trade Tasting, London Competitions, IBWSS, Sommeliers Choice Awards, Paris Wine Cup, USA Wine Ratings and More!
Leading Bartenders, Mixologists, Bar Managers, and On-Premise trade buyers to gather in San Francisco in May for the 3rd annual international Bartender Spirits Awards. Enter before 04 Feb 2021 to benefit from Early Bird pricing.
Using the tagline “Judged By Bartenders, Bar Managers and Off-Premise Managers For The On-Premise Industry,” the Bartender Spirits Awards will recognize, encourage, promote and celebrate excellence in the U.S. drinks industry for the 3rd time.
The aim of this international spirits competition is to provide independent and honest reviews for brands targeting the U.S. bar trade. The judging panel consists of some of the most renowned names in the U.S. bar industry, all of them with extensive expertise within the on-premise industry. The result will be a relevant and practical source of reference for bartenders, bar managers, bar owners and other industry professionals when making purchasing decisions for their establishments.
JUYOUNG KANG, Lead Bartender at The Dorsey inside The Venetian Resort, Las Vegas, NV
NATASHA MESA, Head Bartender and Bar Manager at Deadshot PDX, Portland, OR
MICHAEL CECCONI, Mixology Instructor, Monday Night Mixology & The Institute of Culinary Education
NICKY BEYRIES, Bar Director at Foreign Cinema, San Francisco and San Francisco Chronicle Bar Star of 2018
JOANNA CARPENTER, Hospitality Consultant. Bartender. Educator.
JOHN SWARTZ, Bartender at Hotel Nikko San Francisco
MASSIMO STRONATI, Head Bartender, Palo Alto, CA
JONATHAN WHITWELL, Director of Food & Beverage, Valencia Group
View the first set of 2021 BSA Judges here
Judges are made up of some of the most influential bartenders, mixologists, bar managers and owners in the United States– arguably the world’s most attractive spirits market. By tasting, sipping and assessing your products the judges are also the ones that will potentially then go on to then pour and serve them in their outlets.
This competition recognizes that bartenders are the true influencers – their passions and tastes provide direction for the consumer, especially via their guidance with wine, beer or spirit recommendations. The creation of new drinks is often driven by bartender tastes and perceptions of current trends.
“We really wanted a way to recognize those spirits that would be a great addition to any bar and that are completely on-trend in terms of packaging and price,” said Sid Patel, Founder and CEO of Beverage Trade Network. “Whether bartenders are looking to plug a very specific gap in their existing spirits inventory, or construct an entirely new cocktail menu from scratch, what better advice could they get than from fellow bartenders?”
Medals will be awarded to those spirits that meet very specific judging criteria, with a goal of identifying spirits that should become additions to bar inventories. Double Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are awarded to the best-performing spirits based on the following metrics: taste; packaging; and price. Medal winners will be showcased in the Bartenders Spirits TOP 100 SPIRITS Guide, which will be distributed to thousands of bartenders in the U.S.
How The Scoring System Works
M (Mixability Score) + B (Balance and Versatility) + T (Taste, Mouthfeel and Finish) Score) + Package Score (P) + Value Score (V) = Bartenders Spirits Awards Final Score.
1. Mixability
How well the product is blended or combined for your cocktails.
2. Balance and Versatility
Balance of the spirit refers to the flavour and aroma. A well-rounded, full-flavored, and balanced spirit is a much more desirable stocking option for the back-bar.
3. Taste, Mouthfeel and Finish
Physical sensation drink creates in the mouth, including the tongue and the roof of the mouth. The sensory impact of the spirit after it has been swallowed (or spat).
4. Package
Creative design, label quality, label details, back-bar appeal, and functionality (including shape, size, weight, and ease of pouring) should be considered.
5. Value
The objective is to understand how a particular spirit is priced and what value it offers, Greater the quality offered for the price, the greater the value score should be.
Each category is given a score out of 100 first and then a separate weighted score will be given for each of the parts of the judging process. The scores will be added up to give a final score from which individual prizes will be awarded. Entrants will be able to see detailed feedback on each criteria which will help them trade feedback.
What’s new for 2021?
In the forthcoming competition, Judges will also be entering tasting notes for each spirit brand which will result in a unified tasting note that will be provided by Bartender Spirits Awards to the entrant in a way a Bartender would talk about the spirit to its customer.
Entrants will get score breakdown, tasting notes and shelf talker templates in their zones which will further help wine brands position their message and communicate to end consumers.
“We are very pleased with the first set of our judges that are planned for the 2021 Bartender Spirits Awards. Our aim is to not only provide more value to the distilleries and spirits brands that enter, but also support the hospitality industry and bartender community in 2021 without global drinks guides initiatives like Los Angeles Drinks Guide, New York Drinks Guide, Chicago Drinks Guide, San Francisco Drinks Guide, London Drinks Guide (all planned for a roll out in 2021) where top winners of the Bartender Spirits Awards will be promoted to drive brand awareness and foot traffic of the bars where these top spirits will be sold.” - Sid Patel, CEO of Bartender Spirits Awards and Beverage Trade Network.
The 3rd Annual Bartender Spirits Awards is set to take place in May 2021 in San Francisco, USA. Brands looking to enter in the awards can take advantage of the early bird pricing that is on till January 31, 2021, and enter here.
The judging panel of the Bartender Spirits Awards will consist entirely of top bartenders at U.S. restaurants, bars, pubs, and clubs. In order to be selected as a judge, bartenders need to provide evidence of their expertise within the on-premise industry. In some cases, these bartenders may also be cocktail consultants for on-premise establishments or play an important buying role for their on-premise establishment.
About Bartender Spirits Awards
Bartender Spirits Awards Aims To Deliver The Best Spirits For On-Premise Sector In USA. The objective is to understand how a particular spirit is priced and what value it offers, Greater the quality offered for the price, the greater the value score should be.
Put your spirits in front of them and get rated by Mixability, Balance and Versatility, Taste, Mouthfeel and Finish, Package, and Value.
The deadline for early bird pricing is approaching fast.
You can take advantage of the early bird pricing that is available till February 04, 2021, by entering your spirits today and ship your spirits by April 23, 2021.
Note: Once You enter, we will send you the shipping label and instructions.
ENTER NOW - Early Bird Offer Ends on 04 Feb, 2021
Why You Should Enter!
Bartender Spirits Awards Aims To Deliver The Best Spirits For On-Premise Sector In USA. Using the tagline “Judged By Bartenders, Bar Managers and Off-Premise Managers For The On-Premise Industry,” the Bartender Spirits Awards will recognize, encourage, promote and celebrate excellence in the U.S. drinks industry.
Top 50 on-premise buyers from big chains will review the spirits been entered in the competition & would award the one that they think can be any restaurants' or hotels must-have list, based on Mixability, Balance and Versatility, Taste, Mouthfeel and Finish, Package, and Value.
Winners at 2020 Bartender Spirits AwardsView Previous Competition Winners
Benefits to Medal Winners
As a result of winning a medal at the 2021 Bartender Spirits Awards, you will be able to:
- Winners will be promoted and stories will be shared on Los Angeles Drinks Guide , New York Drinks Guide, and San Francisco Drinks Guide platforms to help promote the drinks and producers that win and the venues selling them.
- Winners products will also be integrated with BTN’s new direct to consumer platform Get Drinks Delivered for producers and brands looking to grow their direct to consumer sales.
- Entrants will now get tasting notes, shelf talker templates with tasting notes and scores when the 2021 results are announced.
- Winners To Get Unparalleled global reach via the BTN network. See Winning Impact For Further Details.
- Showing your package to the top influencers of US on-premise market.
- Getting into the Top 100 spirits list of US on-premise spirits if you are the top 100.
- Get valuable feedback on how you scored on Mixability, Balance and Versatility, Taste, Mouthfeel and Finish, Package, and Value.
- Get featured in the BartendersBusiness.com which is the leading resource for US bartenders and on-premise buyers.
- Attract additional PR and media attention for award-winning spirits
- Winners will be promoted to 20,000+ bartenders and beverage directors of US market.
Names of the top 100 winning brands at the Bartender Spirits Awards would be added in the Top 100 On-Premise Spirits guide which would be distributed among 10000+ on-premise buyers
“Top 100 On-Premise spirits is a celebration of 100 top brands at the Bartender Spirits Awards. Uniquely, the T100Spirits are selected from votes made by top Bartenders and On-Premise buyers of USA.”- Sid Patel, Founder & CEO of Beverage Trade Network
KEY DATES
Early Bird Registration: ends on February 04, 2021
Warehouse Closes For Samples: April 23, 2021
Judging: May 17, 2021
Winners Announced: May 31, 2021
FEE SCHEDULE (Per Wine)
$125 - Till February 04, 2021 (Early Bird Pricing)
$165 - Regular Pricing
Quantity Discount Now Available
3 to 9 entries: 10% discount
10 to 14 entries: 15% discount
15 or more entries: 20% discount
(Price in USD)
Visit the official website to learn more. If you have any queries, please reach us on [email protected] or give us a call on +1 855 481 1112
Important Reminder:
Early Bird Submissions End On 04 February 2021
