Cask Republic New Haven held a United States Bartenders’ Guild Connecticut (USBG CT) Iron Bartending Competition on August 3. Chapter members crafted cocktails, with a half-hour time limit, using 1.5 oz. of Tito’s Handmade Vodka and a communal bar of provided juices, bartending tools, other spirits and glassware. The event was sponsored by Hartley and Parker. Bartenders from Zinc, Kitchen Zinc, Oak Haven, Soul de Cuba, Barcelona, Ordinary, 116 Crown, BAR, Geronimo, Tavern New Haven, The Whelk, Highland Brass Co., Vespa and Mezón competed. The Highland Brass Co. team, comprised of Corey Bonderenko, Roger Gross and Carl Summa, took the winning slot.
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- Norman MacDonald, General Manager of Cask Republic New Haven with Casey Dohme, General Manager of Cask Republic Stamford.
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- Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
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- Lauren Patrick and Kate Turnbull of BAR.
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- J.C. Vallejo and Shane Hobart of Zinc before the competition.
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- Melissa Nelson and Jolene Foley of Kitchen Zinc.
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- Five mystery ingredients were revealed to the competitors, who had to use two, at the start of the clock: fruit loops, lemongrass, pomegranate, chocolate covered pretzels and eucalyptus leaves.
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- Rich Krueger and Sarah Chapdelaine of Barcelona New Haven.
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- Judges Jeff Marron, Corporate Bar Manager, Barteca Group; Tim Rykoski, Manager, Mikro Beer Bar; Anthony DeSerio, USBG CT; Adam Patrick, USBG CT; Tim Cabral, Owner, Ordinary.
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- Matthew Malloy, CT Sales Representative, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, presenting finished cocktails to the judges.
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- Judges reviewing the cocktails.
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- A selection of finished cocktails.
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- A selection of finished cocktails.
