Serrallés USA, exclusive importers of DonQ, Puerto Rico`s Premium Rum, is proud to announce its “MixItUp 2010 Mixology Challenge” in partnership with the United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG). Over the past few months USBG bartenders were challenged to demonstrate the depth of their craft by creating innovative cocktails using the entire line of DonQ Rums.
USBG chapters held local cocktail competitions in March and April to determine the 15 finalists that will compete in the national event. The winners of these regional contests will each receive a Don Q Rum kit, and trip to the Manhattan Cocktail Classic, where they will participate in the MixItUp 2010 Mixology Challenge semi-final competition, slated for May 17, 2010.
The National Finalists Headed to NY for the “MixItUp 2010 Mixology Challenge” semi-final competition are…
Bill Norris, Austin
Dub Davis, Dallas
Charles Joly, Chicago
Noah Heaney, Denver
Kristina Howald, So CA
John Lermayer, Miami
Mathias Simmonis, Milwaukee
Rhiannon Enlil, NOLA
Brian Matthys, NY
Tony Devencenzi, No CA
Nate Selsor, St Louis
Kyle Reutner, Hawaii
Darren West, Las Vegas
Matthew Doerr, Phoenix
Andreas Kaluli, Philidelphia
An esteemed jury panel will judge the cocktails and then select the finalists, who together will compete as the USBG U.S. Drink Team against the Puerto Rico Drink Team at the MixItUp 2010 Mixology Challenge Finals. This international competition will be held at the Caribe Hilton Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico during the Noche de San Juan Festivities. As finalists, the U.S. Drink team will also enjoy exclusive tours of the world-renowned Destilería Serrallés—home to DonQ Rum—and the Serrallés Castle.
“With the participation of incredible Bartenders coming from all of our USBG chapters along with partnering with Don Q, celebrating 150 years of craft and heritage from the Land of the Rum, this competition is possibly the most difficult competition that the Guild has ever hosted; but that’s not all, once the 5 lucky winners are announced, their job is still not done; they still need to go to Puerto Rico to compete against our fellow Bartenders from the Puerto Rican Guild. They will get to work with the exceptional flavors Don Q offers which give a solid base to cocktails but also challenge the skills of the finest mixologists to test the boundaries due to Don Q’s extra-oak aging process. Not easy…but fun…and tasty, says Livio Lauro, President of the United States Bartender’s Guild (USBG).”
“We are excited to partner with The United States Bartenders Guild in each of their chapter cities,” said John Eason, VP National Sales Manager, Serralles USA. “Don Q’s extensive portfolio and mixability allows bartenders to achieve a perfect balance in each unique cocktail. The judges and I are anxious to sample new concoctions emerging out of the multi-staged competition.”
In addition to a $2,000 cash prize, a $5,000 donation—paid by Serrallés USA—will be made to the winning team’s chosen non-profit organization. DonQ winners will also have the exclusive opportunity to feature their winning cocktail at the Esquire House in Los Angeles this coming fall. Winners will also be featured on the 2010 DonQ official holiday video and recipe book, and in national print advertisements.
About Serrallés USA
Headquartered in Dallas, TX, Serrallés USA is the exclusive importer of DonQ, Puerto Rico`s Premium Rum. Serrallés USA imports DonQ Cristal, DonQ Gold, DonQ Añejo, DonQ Gran Añejo and DonQ Limón, DonQ Coco, and DonQ Mojito. Its flagship brand DonQ Cristal is the #1 selling rum in the island, where more than 70% of the rum consumed in the U.S. is produced. DonQ Rum is manufactured by Destilería Serrallés Inc. in Ponce, Puerto Rico, where the premium rum making tradition first started in 1865. Please visit us at www.donq.com.
