Grand Finale Wraps Up USBG CT Bartending Competition Series

The grand finale of the United States Bartenders’ Guild Connecticut Chapter (USBG CT) “Civil War” Bartending Competition, hosted by Allan S. Goodman and Eder Bros., Inc., culminated in the grand finale held on September 18 at Wood-N-Tap in Newington. Slane Irish Whiskey, distilled on the grounds of Slane Castle in County Meath, Ireland, was the featured spirit competing bartenders used to create their original cocktails for judges and guests. The Blind Pig’s Atilio Lopez de Castro was named grand champion with The Blind Pig’s Justin Morales in second, and Hub & Spoke’s Scott Condon in third place.

: Slane Irish Whiskey etched glasses.

: Slane Irish Whiskey is aged in three varieties of casks including virgin, seasoned and sherry casks, and blended after aging.

: Greg King, Brand Ambassador, Slane Irish Whiskey; Chris Munk, Craft Spirits Specialist, Eder Bros., Tom Kachmarck, CT State Manager, Brown-Forman; Crissy Peterson, On-Premise Manager, Brown-Forman; Jeff Conelius, Craft Spirits Specialist, Allan S, Goodman.

: Grand Champion Atilio Lopez de Castro.

: Lopez de Castro’s winning cocktail.

: Justin Morales took second place.

: Morales’ cocktail.

: Sean Condon took third place.

: Condon’s cocktail.

: Sarah Tilley, Wood-N-Tap; Bartender and 2016 Grand Champion Ashley Lurie; Crissy Peterson, On-Premise Manager, Brown-Forman; Samantha Andrews, Wood-n-Tap; Greg King, Brand Ambassador, Slane Irish Whiskey; Kim Hill, CT Market Manager, Brown-Forman.

: Chris Munk; Greg King, Brand Ambassador, Slane Irish Whiskey; Crissy Peterson, On-Premise Manager, Brown-Forman; Third Place Winner Sean Condon; Second Place Winner Justin Morales; Grand Champion Atilio Lopez de Castro; Tom Kachmarck, CT State Manager, Brown-Forman; Jeff Conelius, Craft Spirits Specialist, Allan S, Goodman; and Kim Hill, CT Market Manager, Brown-Forman.

: All Grand Finale competitors: Atilio Lopez de Castro, Dorian Dorsey, Justin Morales, Chris Cohade, Rob Martini, Anthony DeVito, Michael Hannah and Sean Condon.