A sponsored series of industry nights for area bar and beverage professionals, each hosted at the Diego’s East Side in Providence, continued throughout summer. On Aug. 9, sponsor MS Walker showcased Mezcal Vago and Tequila Ocho expressions to guests, presented by Brenden Lee, Brand Ambassador for Ocho and Vago portfolios, and Mike Lester, On Premise Sales and Craft Spirits Brand Manager, MS Walker. Each of the mezcals is produced naturally in a traditional palenque with no additives. The brand plants three agaves for each single agave they harvest, with a goal to end wild agave by 2025 in most releases. Tequila Ocho, made at La Alteña distillery in Jalisco, Mexico, is a joint partnership between renowned tequila makers, the Camarenas and Tomas Estes, with Carlos Camarena, a third-generation tequilero, serving as Master Distiller. Estes has been selling and promoting tequila, agave spirits and Mexican culture in Europe for decades, elevating the spirit globally. On Aug. 16, the themed “Kick the Keg, Industry Pint Night” featured Narragansett Brewery, which opened its new Providence brewing, taproom and events facility in August, with special guests Jim Crooks, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. The 130-year-old Rhode Island brand offered its classic ‘Gansett lager and new brews, too.
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- Industry Night at Diego’s East Side on Aug. 9 featured spirits and cocktails, sponsored by MS Walker. Shown are Mezcal Vago Elote with cucumber, roasted corn husk and corn silk agave reduction, dates, pomegranate, citrus and Topo Chico, with a roasted corn husk garnish; Mezcal Vago Espadin with watermelon rind and ginger syrup, citrus, spices, Exorcism Bitters and Topo Chico, garnished with a dehydrated lime wheel; Tequila Ocho Plata with rosemary-infused Aperol, lemon, egg white, garnished with a torched rosemary sprig; and Tequila Ocho Reposado with apricot liqueur, Gran Classico and blackberry mint foam.
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- David Montoya, Sales, MS Walker; Tom Spiga, Bar Manager, Diego’s East Side; Brenden Lee, Brand Ambassador, Ocho Tequila and Vago Mezcal; Mike Lester, On Premise Sales and Craft Spirits Brand Manager, MS Walker; and Alyssa Venuti, General Manager, Diego’s East Side.
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- Mezcal Vago Elote offers a nose full of smoky toasted corn and dry river stones. The body is sweet with wood tones and layers of honeycomb, green tropical fruit and smoke. It has a prolonged finish loaded with mint and papaya.
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- On Aug. 16, “Kick The Keg” Industry Pint Night featured Narragansett Brewery’s Jim Crooks, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, shown with Alyssa Venuti, General Manager, Diego’s East Side.
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- Featured Narragansett beers included Fox Point Pale Ale, with Diego’s as the first restaurant to tap it outside the brewery, naming it for The East Side staple that is Fox Point, and featured can, Musik Express IPA. Guests entered to win a Narragansett Swag Bag among the evening’s highlights.
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- A showcased special, Pineapple Express Wings Pineapple Teriyaki Glaze, with house-made pineapple salsa, paired with Narragansett Musik Express IPA.
