If you’ve ever wished for a simple way to plan for hosting a party, from inviting guests to creating perfect cocktails, Pernod Ricard USA in partnership with Evite has the solution: “Cocktail Central.” We encourage you to check out the site at http://cocktailcentral-evite.com

Cocktail Central is the largest program that Evite has done with any company, and ultimately links PRUSA Brands directly to consumer solutions that facilitate at-home consumption and entertaining. Cocktail Central will run during the key home entertaining season, from October 3, 2011 – January 3, 2012. It is a national program and includes Absolut, Malibu, Jameson, Kahlua, Beefeater, Plymouth, and Hiram Walker.

The goal of Cocktail Central is to make PRUSA brands the catalyst for entertaining solutions by helping hosts prepare for their at-home party. The online tool will also get our brands on consumers’ shopping list before they enter the store, and as an added consumer incentive, there is a high-value refund based on the number of bottles purchased.

How it Works:
The Cocktail Central tools are offered to hosts who create an Evite invitation within 24 categories. Hosts can then take advantage of interactive tools such as the Cocktail Central Poll, which allows the host to choose 5 cocktail recipes from a list of 20 (100% PRUSA brands).

Once the host picks the 5 cocktails, the “poll” is added to the Evite invitation to guests.

Everyone who RSVPs will be able to select which cocktail they would prefer to drink at the party. Once the votes are tallied, the host can visit the Cocktail Central site to print out a recipe list for the cocktails, a shopping list for the visit to the retailer, and a mail-in-rebate coupon for their party. All of this will make it easy for the consumer, and will help ensure that our products are selected during the holidays.

Buy tickets below, 2-for-1 admission!

The Oregon Bartenders Guild opened the first ever “Craft Cocktail Cart” in the Cartopia Pod on SE Hawthorne and SE 12th.
Open Friday and Saturday from 6pm to Midnight through Oct 22, during Portland Cocktail Week!

This “cart” or The Hospitality suite is a joint effort with Pernod Ricard – one of the bar guild’s valued partners. Our goal is clear: We aim to shift focus onto the culinary and artistic aspects of bartending while promoting smarter, more responsible drinking. The cart has been fully approved by The OLCC for a total of 10 activations, which began on September 23rd and will continue each Friday and Saturday until Portland Cocktail Week on October 20th. Further dates are planned, but approval is at the discretion of both the city of Portland and the OLCC. Many are due appreciation for this cart, but a special thanks goes to the OLCC! All proceeds of the cart benefit the Oregon Bartenders Guild, a chapter of the United States Bartenders Guild which is a non-profit dedicated to education and the craft of cocktails.
Volunteer spots are available, contact jhegstrom@oregonbarguild.org.

Willamette Week

WHERE: Left Bank Annex 101 N Weidler
Portland 97227
WHEN: Thursday, October 13th
2011 Iron Bartender.

Jeanette Adames-Napier, Emily Baker, Jabriel Donohue, Jordan Felix, Nathan Gerdes, Adam Ho, Angel Teta, Ariana Vitale, and Jen Steimer face off at the Left Bank Annex on Thursday October 13th in the hopes of coming out on top while supporting Children’s Relief Nursery.

Four categories (Sake Club, Classics/Prohibition, Tiki, and Portlandia) will feature local spirits Big Bottom Whiskey, New Deal Gin#3, Deco Rum, Sake One, and Organic Nation Vodka.

The crowd favorites from each category will move on the final round, a secret-ingredient-15-minute-showdown to be judged by Byron Beck, Sheryl Stewart, and last year’s winner of both People’s Choice and Iron Bartender, Brandon Wise.

Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and tastings of all of the participants cocktails included in general admission. VIP gets you private seating and exclusive bar and food service.

Don’t wait, this event is sure to sell out.

WHERE: Kask 1215 SW Alder St. Portland, OR 97205

WHEN: Tuesday, September 20th

TIME: 12:30 to 2:30pm

Spaces will be first come first served!

George Nemec
Global Brand Ambassador, Becherovka

WHERE: Annex Cellar Bar
WHEN: Sunday, August 7th, 2011
TIME: 3PM
RSVP: Tierney.Milton@pernod-ricard.com

“It’s a world of fashion, music, remarkable interiors and unique personalities. It’s like one big Salvador Dali artwork, and in the middle, you are the one able to add a new color.” –George Nemec

In 2004 George Jiri Nemec’s contribution to professional bartending was recognized, winning the prestigious accolade of Australian Bartender of the Year; in 2007 further praise came his way when Bartender magazine announced he had created The Best Cocktail List in Australia. George hasn’t stopped since. Originally from the Czech Republic, after nearly eight years of bartending and bar management in Australia, in 2009 George left for Shanghai, where he helped launch Gosney and Kallman’s Chinatown, the city’s first dedicated burlesque theatre in the modern era.

Since then, George’s name has been in-demand. Working for several Shanghai bars as an independent cocktail consultant, as well as for leading alcohol brands as a training expert, George was also invited to the Paris bar show Cocktails and Spirits in 2010 as an ambassador for the Chinese cocktail scene. He has been a regular columnist for Chinese bar industry magazine Drink, in which his stunning cocktail styling and photography also appear.
Exploring new countries, relishing cultural adjustments… for George, this “bohemian bar life” has always been motivated by a thirst for knowledge. As he says, “There is always something or somebody new to learn from.” But despite all that travel, his quest has now led him back home, or at least closer to home: Becherovka. “There are just so many things I admire about Becherovka. Its tradition, the independence, its history, the craft, its charisma, and all the while remaining an almost undiscovered potion around the world.”

As a Czech national, George feels great pride in being part of the new chapter being written in the life of this mysterious herbal liqueur. “Only the family of Jan Becher have ever been the true ambassadors of Becherovka. Now I am being asked to introduce the spirit to a new generation of bartender artists. If I was ever meant to move into the brand ambassador world, it definitely had to be a brand with great history, and the 1807 on the Becherovka bottle speaks for itself.”
George’s trade secret – “Work with open eyes and heart” – reflects his unassuming personality and ardent work ethic. Diligent, willing to listen to everyone and everything, George is ready to immerse himself in a new experience and meet the many inspiring people who have built the American bar market. He is also ready to introduce them to the mystery of Becherovka, the spirit brand which represents his home country more than any other.

BLAME IT ON RIO!
Cocktail Competition

Leblon Cachaça invites you to shake, stir and strain your way to San Francisco for 2 nights during SF Cocktail Week!

WHERE: Beaker & Flask
WHEN: August 14th, 2011
TIME: 7-10 PM

RSVP: BRANDON@BEAKERANDFLASK.COM

RULES: To be eligible for consideration, competing bartenders must show proof of a Leblon cocktail on either a regular or special menu at their current establishment.

Please submit menu feature and drink recipe to liz@leblon.com by August 5th.

Only 10 Submissions will be chosen to compete.

Leblon cachaça seminar will be held prior to the competition from 5-6:30 PM with limited seating.

INDUSTRY ONLY – Light appetizers – SAMBA DANCERS

Good Luck!

Tom Bulleit, founder and master distiller of the Bulleit Bourbon Distilling Co, will be hosting a special evening to say thanks to the OBG members and introduce his newest release: Bulleit Rye. Be part of a select group to be the first in Oregon to sample Bulleit Rye, while Tom details its production and heritage within his family’s distilling tradition.

What: An awesome evening with heavy apps and Bulleit Rye & Bulleit Bourbon cocktails provided.

When: Tuesday, June 7th at 6pm

Where: Irving Street Kitchen 701 NW 13th St Portland, OR 97209   Phone: 503-343-9440

RSVP: kparker@southernwinespiritswest.com