In its second year, the United States Bartenders’ Guild Connecticut (USBG CT) chapter, along with Eder Bros, Inc. and Allan S. Goodman, kicked off a series of 10 bartending competitions that pits on-premise bar talent on the north side of the state against those from the south. In total, there will be 10 events held throughout the state. The winners from each will go on to compete in the final “Civil War Bartending Competition.” The first was held on April 10 at The Blind Pig in Hartford featuring Bloomfield’s Waypoint Spirits Spicy XII Vodka. The judges included John Taylor, Owner, Waypoint Spirits; Justin Morales, Bar Manager, The Blind Pig and Chris Munk, Craft Spirits Specialist, Eder Bros., Inc. Allan S. Goodman’s Jeff Conelius served as the emcee for the evening. Anthony DeVito of Max Amore was named first place winner, followed by Chris Rodrigue of Vito’s Trattoria in second and Andres Soriano of Max Fish took third place. Competitors also included Jerome Walsh of Oficina Cucina, Alexa Doyer of Little River Restoratives, Jeffrey Hodson of Hub & Spoke, Jon Tellis of Hub & Spoke, Erik Karadimas of Max Restaurant Group and Daniel Rek of Elm City Social. Look for continuing coverage in the July issue of Connecticut Beverage Journal and online.