The United States Bartenders’ Guild Connecticut (USBG CT) chapter held a day of education on October 16, in conjunction with the USBG’s National Education efforts in October. USBG CT members visited area breweries and distilleries to promote learning and product knowledge. The stops included Brass City Brewery in Waterbury, Litchfield Distillery in Litchfield, Waypoint Spirits in Bloomfield and Hartford Flavor Company in Hartford. The Connecticut Beverage Journal, along with Brescome Barton and Slocum & Sons, sponsored the event. During the bus trip, short interactive sessions showcased The Connecticut Beverage Journal’s new iOS ordering app, a trade-only market resource that includes more than 45,000 market-available SKUs. The sessions included finding products, using an iOS camera for a bar code scanner to order, accessing current ratings and tasting notes; search, price compare and order features; list building; and managing order history; all tools included in every subscription at no extra cost.
-
- First stop along the bus tour: Brass City Brewery of Waterbury. David Ieronimo, Co-owner of Brass City Brewery, addressed USBG CT members about its beer production and styles.
-
- Second stop: Litchfield Distillery. Co-owner Jack Baker presented the product line, called Batchers’ series, which includes five spirits: Bourbon Whiskey, Double Barreled Bourbon Whiskey, Bourbon Whiskey Port Cask Finish, Vodka and Gin.
-
- USBG CT chapter members at Litchfield Distillery.
-
- Third stop: Waypoint Spirits. John Taylor and David Rossi welcomed the group to their distillery. The product line includes Labrador Noon Vodka, Wintonbury Gin, Special Batch Whiskey, Man Overboard Spicy Flavored Rum and Labrador Noon Spicy XIII.
-
- At Waypoint Spirits, USBG CT chapter members got the hands-on experience of making their own gin by testing different botanicals.
-
- Savannah Mul of The Connecticut Beverage Journal (on left) educated participants on how to use the company’s new iOS ordering app to shop listing wholesaler portfolios as part of their subscriptions.
-
- The final stop along the bus tour was Hartford Flavor Company in Hartford. Lelaneia Dubay, Co-owner of Hartford Flavor Company led the tour of its “infusionary.” Dubay also educated the group on the Wild Moon Liqueurs portfolio, which includes Cucumber, Cranberry, Rose, Lavender, Birch and Chai Spice botanical-infused liqueurs. The group also participated in a vote for the next new flavor release. The mixologists then took to the bar within the tasting room to create cocktails using the liqueurs.
