Mixxit News
13 January 2011

5th annual bols around the world competition - finalists announced

"One step closer to Cocktail Heaven"

We are delighted to announce Bill 'The Beard' Bewsher from 399 Bar over in Perth W.A and Daniel 'nice-guy' Gregory from the award winning Bowery in Brisbane QLD have secured their places to compete in Amsterdam in February 2011.

What a start to the year! Both these talented chaps will join Mixxit Manager Dylan Howarth for what will be a thrilling trip. The trip will include a personal tour of the amazing HOUSE OF BOLS which just oozes with quirky authenticity, rooms full of fabulous initiatives and the famous Mirror Bar, where cocktails are ordered through some very compelling software.

The competition, now in its 5th year, hit new heights attracting over 70 entrants from both Australia and New Zealand. Dylan Howarth said, "Judging this competition has been both emotional and delightful, as I came across some amazing creativity befitting the 'Mix your Way Into Cocktail Heaven' brief. The standard of cocktails being put together for these prized two spots was the highest I have seen in any competition I have been involved with. I am also very happy to be sharing the experience with the Australian prospects to finally experience the House of Bols, which I hear will deepen my knowledge of the brands I professionally represent in my daily working life".

The lucky finalists will also enjoy the chance to wander around the stunning Bols flavour research lab, experience a Bols Genever Masterclass in the Bols Academy with their in-house gurus, but go onto enjoy the delights of one of Europe's most intriuging cities.

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE MIXXIT TEAM!

If the French bottle good years, then the team here at Mixxit wish we could bottle 2010. We had a belter! A highlight for the team was hosting DAVE WONDRICH, one of the all-round best guys you will ever meet. The insights of his visit have touched us very deeply and will inform many of our direction for 2011 and beyond.

Then there was the WHISKY AND PUNCH BARTENDER OLYMPICS - at the ARGYLE something which will be even bigger next year. What a night that was! Thanks again to Ben Tua - who in 2010 has done more for plastic toy baby dolls, than Michael Jackson ever did for hoisting aloft small babies.

THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN COMPETITION on World Cocktail Day attracted over 1,000 non industry people and we sent Luke, our Winner to the B.A.R in New York.

TALES OF THE COCKTAIL saw the re-birth of the Greyhound.

Mixxit gave away over a 1,000 bar kits, 2,367 bar manuals, 2,786 golden bar spoons and 684 tubs of Bartender's Hairwax! We sent three bartenders on international trips and hosted over 100 MIXXIT sessions in every corner of Australia and New Zealand.  

MIXXIT Launched PROSPECT its Refreshing Bar Solutions Consultancy Program, which has already helped over 60 venues in so many ways.

Dylan Howarth Won Australian Bartender - BRAND AMBASSADOR of the YEAR - well done again!

MIXXIT Won ALIA'S On Premise Training Program of the Year 2010.

2011 will see MIXXIT CITIES come to life and the MAGNIFICENT SEVEN again, but this year with the lovely folk at MOTAC and World Cocktail Week be even bigger than this year. Boy are we excited!!

MAKER'S MARK GLOBAL PEWTER COCKTAIL FINAL - KENTUCKY

Seb Derbomez recently won the chance to represent Australia at the final of the Global Pewter Cocktail Final in Kentucky with his drink:

"STAR HILL FIZZ"

by

Seb Derbomez

Shake and strain into chilled PEWTER CUP

50ml Maker's Mark

10ml Bols Cherry Brandy

10ml Punt e Mes

5ml French Absinth

15ml each of lemon & lime Juice

1/8 egg white

Top with ginger ale and grated nutmeg.


On his return Seb commented  "The amount of care and pride they (Maker's Mark) take to distill their bourbon is unbelievable. It is not a massive industrial factory; it’s still a family affair and all the people surrounding the product truly believe in their hand-crafted bourbon. I will never see Maker’s Mark as I used to, I respect the brand and what they stand for.
 

The competition was to showcase hand-made cocktails in hand-made Maker's Mark pewter cups to the global bartending community.

Mixxit.com.au