USBG Austin

Tequila seminar at the Highball, featuring David Suro

USBG Austin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:03:51 +0000

David Suro of Siembra Azul Tequila and the Tequila Interchange Project will be hosting a Tequila seminar for the trade at The Highball from 1-3 pm on January 30th. David is one of the foremost Tequila authorities in the United States and a passionate advocate for the traditions that have made Tequila one of the world’s great spirits. His seminar doesn’t promote any brands; it is purely educational and a rare opportunity. If you are interested in joining, please RSVP to usbg.atx@gmail.com.

When: Monday January 30th
Where: The Highball - 1142 South Lamar Blvd
Time: 1:00-3:00 pm
Who: Trade professionals

RSVP to usbg.atx@gmail.com

Holiday Punchaoke Spectacular – Sun 12/11 @ Franklin BBQ

USBG Austin — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 04:30:08 +0000

Boozy punch. Amazing vocal talent. Brisket that will make you drool for days. What more could you ask for?

Introducing the USBG Austin Holiday Punchaoke Spectacular…

Where: Franklin BBQ - 900 E 11th St
When: Sunday December 11th
Time: 6:00 pm
Who: USBG members and their +1 are FREE if RSVP is received no later than 12/7
~ $25.00 for non-RSVPs and additional guests
~ If your membership is expired or will be soon, you may renew at the event for a discounted price of $75. If you know of anyone who wants to join, they can join for the same discounted rate of $75 at the event and can gain free entry.

** RSVP to usbg.atx@gmail.com

Tobin Ellis and the Lost Art of Technical Free Pouring

USBG Austin — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 02:47:28 +0000

Renowned bar industry veteran Tobin Ellis challenged the hearts, minds (and shoulders) of members of a nearly packed house of Austin’s bar community on Monday night with an incredibly engaging seminar on the Lost Art of Technical Free Pouring. The nearly 3 hour presentation sponsored by DiSaronno and Tia Maria was designed to illustrate how, with adequate practice and a zen-ish state of mind, free pouring can result in accuracy within 1/8 of an ounce – about the same as jigger pours. Can we say MIND=BLOWN?!

Employing the kinds of methods that dancers and other athletes often rely on (for after all, bartending is a sport too!), attendees got some hands-on practice with various “cutting” techniques, follow through with the bottle, pour counts and proper body posturing. More than a few of us – including Austin’s most veteran bartenders – were impressed with how impactful these kind of pour mechanics can be on efficiency, profitability and the overall service and showmanship that customers enjoy.

- Courtesy of Jessica Sanders of Drink.Well American Pub.

- Special thanks to the evening’s sponsors as well, DiSaronno and Tia Maria.

New barrel aged goodness at the Tigress

USBG Austin — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:04:40 +0000

Lara Nixon’s latest barrel aged cocktail, the Widow’s Kiss debuts at the Tigress Pub on Tuesday, November 15 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The cocktail features Lairds AppleJack, green Chartreuse, Benedictine, and angostura bitters, and was aged in a Balcones barrel.

USBG member Pam Pritchard promises catered nibbles to accompany the event.

Social Event: Jägermeister at the Highball

USBG Austin — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:31:33 +0000

USBG is proud to announce our social event for November: Jägermeister at the Highball

When: Monday, November 14

From: 8 to 11 p.m.

Where: The Highball

RSVP [you MUST RSVP]: RSVPjager@sidneyfrank.com

The Sidney Frank crew is kind enough to host this Service Industry Appreciation night, appropriately filled with copious amounts of Jäger, bowling, food, and a DJ. This event is not restricted to USBG members, so bring your industry friends.

We will set up an info table at the event, taking this opportunity to spread the word about our chapter, promote membership benefits, sell USBG ATX t-shirts, etc. If your are interested in working a 30 min shift at the USBG info table please reply to this email. See you there!

Snapshots from Bourbon, BBQ and Bluegrass

USBG Austin — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 21:04:52 +0000

Thanks to everyone who came out and made the second annual Bourbon, BBQ and Bluegrass a huge success! We had a much larger turnout this year with at least 150 people that showed up. We hope to continue making this an annual event — a goal we can’t reach without all the support you guys have shown and continue to show.

Here’s what USBG VP Adam Harris had to say about the event:

“I couldn’t be happier about what this means for the guild. Last year when we put this thing together we were just hoping to get the word out there and were pleasantly surprised with the turn out. This year we wanted to see if we could really make this an Austin happening and were overwhelmed. It’s great to see the Austin USBG chapter grow so positively in the public conscious. Great spirits and great cocktails are getting the attention they deserve.”

We also got recognized across the major Austin media outlets. The hard working folks at Thrillist, Austinist, The Thread, Austin360, Do512 and the Chronicle all gave us shout-outs before (and one after) the event.

USBG Brew Day with Thirsty Planet brewery

USBG Austin — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 16:52:55 +0000

One of our newest members, Jake Maddux from Thirsty Planet has generously offered to host our chapter for a Brew Day at their facility in Austin. We will first start the conversation on the Facebook event page regarding what the profile of our special will be. Then Jake will source the ingredients, and we will join him at the brewery to learn all about the beer-making process and bring our own beer to fruition. A few weeks later when the brew is finished, we will join in tasting this USBG Austin brew! Event is open to current USBG members only.

When: Tuesday October 4th
Time: 1:00 – 5:00 pm
Where: Thirsty Planet Brewery – 11160 Circle Drive

Bourbon, BBQ, & Bluegrass – Sept 12th at Stubb’s

USBG Austin — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 16:05:09 +0000

In celebration of National Bourbon Heritage Month we are once again hosting our Bourbon, BBQ, and Bluegrass festival at Stubb’s BBQ. We hope to make this a continuing tradition here in Austin as we build upon the great event last year! So come on out to Stubb’s on Monday September 12th for some good food, fun music, and a whole lotta bourbon!

When: Monday September 12th
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: Stubb’s BBQ – 801 Red River St
Cost: $20 and open to the public | $15 at the door for USBG members

Non-member tickets can be purchased here at the Stubb’s website.

Meet the owner of St. Germain at Peche

USBG Austin — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 16:52:27 +0000

Peche will play host to Rob Cooper, owner & creator of St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur and Employees Only NYC owner Jason Kosmas as they discuss a culinary approach to cocktails.

When: Monday August 15th

Time: 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Where: Peche – 208 West 4th St

* Please RSVP to Bryan Townsend Btownsend@stgermain.fr

Lara Nixon’s 3rd barrel-aged cocktail debuts

USBG Austin — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 16:45:55 +0000

The folks at the Tigress are set to uncork their 3^rd Barrel-Aged cocktail next week. This round they tackled the Blackthorn cocktail, a delightful cocktail featuring gin, Dubonnet Rouge, and kirschwasser.

When: Tuesday August 9^th
Time: 6-10 pm
Where: The Tigress – 100 West North Loop Blvd

** Please note this is not an official USBG event.

***Screen grab from Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails by Ted Haigh