Sabrina Kershaw (L) bested Kelly Unda in the Speed Rack Boston finals. | Photo: Lush Life Productions

Speed Rack launched a ten-city tour in October to honor National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with the purpose of finding the fastest female bartender in America while raising funds for breast cancer charities. The Speed Rack tour follows the success of the inaugural LUPEC NYC Speed Rack competition, which raised $3,500 this past June. The national tour kicked off last month in Boston, where Sabrina Kershaw (The Citizen, Noir Bar) was crowned the winner and $5,000 was raised. Next was Portland, with $3,600 raised and Seattle’s Missy Cross (Sun Liquor) emerging victorious.

Click to view.

Speed Rack LA is the third stop of the tour, featuring a stellar lineup of 18 competitors:

• Kiowa Bryan (Eveleigh)
• Anne Marie Ceralvo (The Spare Room)
• Danielle Crouch (Caña Rum Bar)
• Christine D’Abrosca (Next Door Lounge)
• Jaclyn Goodyear (Killer Shrimp)
• Jennifer Lane (Black Market Liquor Bar)
• Jen Len (Drago Centro)
• Tammy Machicado (Night & Day Productions)
• Meghan Malloy (La Descarga)
• Jaymee Mandeville (Drago Centro)
• Mia Mastroianni (Soho House West Hollywood)
• Lacey Murillo (1886, Black Market)
• Lindsay Nader (Harvard & Stone)
• Gracy Ramirez (Dog Haus)
• Mia Sarazen (Harvard & Stone, Black Market)
• Naomi Schimek (The Spare Room)
• Devon Tarby (The Varnish)
• Kylee Van Dillen (Westside Tavern)

Throughout the afternoon, pairs of bartenders will face off and make a round of cocktails, selected from a list of 50 industry standard recipes. Judges will rate each drink based on prep time and accuracy. The esteemed judging panel includes Hollis Bulleit of Bulleit Bourbon, Aidan Demarest (Neat), Jessica Gelt (LA Times), and Ted Haigh (aka Dr. Cocktail). Emcee Simon Ford will keep the proceedings moving as the competition nears its climactic final showdown.

Following the LA competition, Speed Rack will travel to other cocktail-focused cities with strong LUPEC chapters, including Washington DC (Dec 4, 2011) and then on to San Francisco, Houston, Denver, Las Vegas, and Chicago in 2012. The goal for the nationwide competitions is to collectively raise $75,000 before the ultimate Miss Speed Rack is crowned in May 2012 at the national finals in NYC.

The tour is being produced by Lindsey Johnson of Lush Life Productions, with event coordination by Claire Bertin-Lang (Proof ABV). Local support for Speed Rack LA is being provided by 213 Nightlife and the USBGLA.

Presale tickets to Speed Rack LA are $20 and are available online at speedrackla.eventbrite.com. A special admission and Speed Rack t-shirt package (with bonus free koozie) is priced at $35. Tickets at the door are $25, cash only, based on availability, and are first come, first served.

For more information, visit the Speed Rack website at www.speed-rack.com.

Speed Rack LA
Sunday, November 13, 2011
3pm-7pm
21+ w/ ID
Tickets:

• $20 General Admission and $35 Speed Rack package tickets: speedrackla.eventbrite.com.
• Day of event: $25 at the door, cash only and based on availability.
• Includes complimentary punches, cocktails, Abita beer, and food.
• Proceeds go towards breast cancer research, education and prevention.

More info:

• www.speed-rack.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/speedrackinfo
• Twitter: @Speed_Rack

Blossom Room – Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
7000 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 466-7000
www.thompsonhotels.com/hotels/la/hollywood-roosevelt

For a taste of what will go down at the Roosevelt, check out this video of the inaugural Speed Rack event in New York:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeGf3SqDPXE

On Sunday, October 9th, five of the top bartenders in Los Angeles will be competing for the title of LA’s Best Bartender, presented by Table 20. The second annual competition is taking place at Elevate Lounge in Downtown LA.

Following are the finalists, their respective bars and Karlsson’s Gold Vodka cocktail entries:

• Joseph Brooke of Next Door Lounge (People’s Choice) – The Spicy Stränder
• Justin Pike of The Tasting Kitchen (Judges’ Selection) – Su Novia
• Brian Summers of Harvard & Stone (Karlsson’s Cocktail Challenge Winner) – Blues in Orbit
• Devon Tarby of The Varnish (Judges’ Selection) – Waltz #2
• Daniel Zacharczuk of Bar | Kitchen (Karlsson’s Cocktail Challenge Winner) – Faster Young Fruit

In addition to the title of “LA’s Best Bartender,” the finalists will be vying for a grand prize that includes:

• Billboard with photo, announcing the winner as LA’s Best Bartender.
• Trip to the 2012 Tales of the Cocktail, Manhattan Cocktail Classic, or SF World Spirits Competition, including airfare, hotel and events ticket package.
• Karlsson’s Gold Vintage Bottles.
• Bar Keeper Gift Card.

The judges for the LA’s Best Bartender finals:

• Matthew Biancaniello – Library Bar, LA’s Best Bartender 2010
• Dale Degroff – “King Cocktail,” 2009 James Beard Award Winner
• Jessica Gelt – writer, Los Angeles Times
• Johnny Iuzzini (Head Judge) – Top Chef Just Desserts, 2006 James Beard Award Winner
• Bricia Lopez – Restaurateur – Guelaguetza, LA Weekly’s “Best of LA People”
• Marcos Tello – President, USBG LA Chapter; Founder, The Sporting Life

General admission tickets are on sale now. Besides entrance to the competition, tickets include seven drink tickets to sample the entries, bar bites, and access to shop Bar Keeper’s pop-up store. Ticketholders will also be able to attend an exclusive after party at Villains Tavern.

A portion of the proceeds benefit The Gentle Barn, a nonprofit that rescues, rehabilitates and gives sanctuary to abused animals.

Ticket Giveaway CONTEST IS CLOSED!
Table 20 has graciously offered a pair of tickets for me to give away to the October 9th finals at Elevate Lounge. That’s a $50 value, kids! And it couldn’t be easier to enter: all you have to do is leave a comment that says which of the finalists you think will win the title of LA’s Best Bartender. The giveaway closes at 12pm on Saturday, October 8th. The winner will be chosen at random and notified by email. Good luck!

LA’s Best Bartender Competition
Presented by Table 20
Sunday, October 9, 2011
3:30pm to 7:30pm
$25 General Admission tickets: labestbartender.eventbrite.com

Featuring:

• Karlsson’s Gold Vodka Cocktails
• Bar bites by Dave’s Catering
• Ice Ice Shavie artisanal shave ice
• Barkeeper pop-up store
• Hosted by Dan “The Imbiber” Dunn

Elevate Lounge
811 Wilshire Blvd, 21st floor
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 236-9600
www.takamisushi.com

Traveling on the trolley of death #bloggerbarhop

February 1, 2011 1:18 am via Twitter for AndroidReplyRetweetFavorite

@SavoryHunter

Aaron Tell

This dispatch from the Death Trolley was sent on the final leg of the Blogger Bar Hop, a night of revelry with a motley crew of gin-soaked bloggers, bartenders and random passers-by who were shanghaied along the way.

The idea for the bar hop was hatched a couple of months ago, during a holiday party at Musso & Frank. Caroline on Crack and I were talking about a bar crawl organized by Simon Ford, who had taken a group of L.A. bartenders for a night on the town that is now the stuff of legend. Caroline thought there should be a similar event for bloggers, and broached the idea to Aidan Demarest, who in turn talked to Erick Castro. A few sips of our Gibsons later, and Plymouth Gin was on board as the sponsor. Demarest would curate the hit list of bars and book the transportation, while Caroline would coordinate the blogger invites.

A couple of weeks later, an email was sent out to recruit a team to storm the gates of some of the best drinking establishments in the city. Answering Caroline’s call to action were me, Aaron, e*star LA, Food GPS, L.A. Cocktails Examiner, L.A.-O.C. Foodventures, Elina Shatkin (Squid Ink, Toque), and LAist Editor Lindsay William-Ross. The Blogger Bar Hop would be the ultimate test of our cocktailing abilities; only the strong would survive this mission and weak livers need not apply. Who would be found wanting? If the Blogger Bar Hop was a war movie, who would be that one guy showing everyone photos of his sweetheart back home? Who was going to be the redshirt of this landing party?

On the itinerary were some of Demarest’s favorite bars, including a few familiar names from his CV: “To me these bars represent a broad range of styles and atmosphere. And you can be sure at all of them that any time you go you’re getting a great drink.”

Plymouth Gin punch bowl at The Spare Room.

FIRST STOP: THE SPARE ROOM

The team assembled last Monday night at The Spare Room, Demarest’s new bar and gaming salon in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. To help identify us (as if we weren’t going to be noticeable), I brought some supplies left over from our Burning Man luau, including a box of leis and a special accessory for Demarest:

We haven't had a drink yet and Aidan has used his coconut bra for a cup #bloggerbarhop (@ Spare Room at The Roosevelt) http://4sq.com/i8n0SY

January 31, 2011 8:11 pm via foursquareReplyRetweetFavorite

@ThirstyInLA

Thirsty in LA

Aidan Demarest prepares a scorecard for the bar hop.

Demarest told us to fill out scorecards to track our drink tally; the winning blogger would get a free game of bowling at The Spare Room. To keep us honest, each cocktail on the card had to be initialed by a bartender.

Our welcome cocktail was Castro’s dangerously good Blogger’s Brew: Plymouth Gin, pineapple gomme, velvet falernum, fresh lemon, Earl Grey tea and spices. Castro nicknamed his drink the “L.A. Christmas,” after the spices that call to mind those bone-chilling, 50-degree Los Angeles winter nights.

The bar's signature cocktail, the Spare Room Snap.

Next up was one of Demarest’s creations, the Spare Room Snap: rye whiskey, SNAP, lemon juice and freshly grated nutmeg. As I mentioned in my opening night review, the bar’s namesake cocktail is a great drink; well-balanced between spice, gingery bite, and the tart lemon.

You Drink Our Milkshake

Then came a White Russian variation called the You Drink Our Milkshake, made with vodka, coffee liqueur, crème de cacao and cream. Another winner that was rich, velvety, and so very drinkable.

Some of the bar hoppers loosened up with a few frames of bowling, while others gave the photo booth a try. In the meantime, a punch bowl appeared by the bowling lanes. We were still at our first stop and we were already three or four drinks in.

Fortunately, it was time to leave and we headed downstairs to our chariot. Joining us for the epic journey were Castro, Spare Room bartender Naomi Schimek, and Lindsey Nader, the former PDT bartender who is creating the cocktail menu at the upcoming Son of a Gun.

According to Demarest’s plan, we would spend about 45 minutes at each bar, then hit the road. With such a tight schedule, there was no time to look for stragglers; once Demarest said it was time to go, if you weren’t on the trolley you’d be cabbing it back. To make sure this didn’t happen, we were each assigned a number to sound off each time we were ready to leave a bar. (No joke, more than one bar hopper was saved from getting left behind this way.)

We board the Trolley of Death!

Demarest had stocked the trolley with beer, champagne and a bottle of bacon-washed bourbon he dubbed “Figgie Smalls.” (Naturally, none of these items would count towards our scorecards.) As we turned onto Hollywood Blvd., Demarest skillfully served the champagne; when he said that he could pour champagne “while driving the Indy 500,” you had to believe him:

Aidan pouring champagne on a moving trolley without spilling a drop, he's a pro! #bloggerbarhop

January 31, 2011 9:12 pm via TweetDeckReplyRetweetFavorite

@ThirstyInLA

Thirsty in LA

Like any proper tour guide, Demarest would occasionally grab the microphone to point out landmarks, offer safety tips (“If you fall off, tuck and roll”) and keep us in line, with mixed results. As we continued east, rowdy passengers began haranguing pedestrians. Considering half the trolley was open and exposed, Lindsay summed up our somewhat vulnerable situation:

On a sightseeing trolley getting sloshed rolling thru east Hollywood. We might get shot at tonight. #bloggerbarhop

January 31, 2011 9:21 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@SquashBlossom

Lindsay William-Ross

We made it through the gauntlet and pulled up to Big Bar in Los Feliz. Our arrival instantly turned the intimate bar’s vibe up to eleven; my sympathies to anyone who was there for a quiet Monday night drink. The consensus favorite cocktail seemed to be Bar Manager Juan Sevilla‘s excellent Merry Widow:

At @bigbarlosfeliz loving Juan Sevilla's Merry Widow: #PlymouthGin dry vermouth, benedictine, bitters & absinthe rinse #bloggerbarhop

January 31, 2011 9:56 pm via TweetDeckReplyRetweetFavorite

@ThirstyInLA

Thirsty in LA

Another standout was a Clover Club that Elina let me sample. Sevilla and Alcove Cafe owner Tom Trellis sent out plates of delicious bar bites, which were devoured faster than chum during Shark Week:

#BloggerBarHop Stop #2: @bigbarlosfeliz Merry Widow cocktail, and why have I not had the bacon wrapped, goat cheese filled dates before?

January 31, 2011 9:47 pm via TwitterrificReplyRetweetFavorite

@foodgps

foodgps

Demarest decided to kidnap bartenders at each stop, so as we left Big Bar we were joined by Sevilla, Mia Sarazen and Rich Andreoli. We attempted to do a quick stop at Tiki-Ti, but sadly it was closed; the Trolley of Death pushed on. Esther and others braved the biting wind as we traveled north on the 110 towards our next stop:

If your hand touches mine and it's frozen, it's bc I chose to stay in the rear, open aired part of the trolley on the 110. #bloggerbarhop

January 31, 2011 10:44 pm via ÜberSocialOrigReplyRetweetFavorite

@estarLA

estarLA

Marcos Tello and Erick Castro

THIRD STOP: 1886

As we walked into a busy 1886, we were welcomed with coupes of Rose Parade Punch: gin, roses, cucumber and soda. Marcos Tello (who would ride the Death Trolley as well) gave a brief welcome speech before we enjoyed more libations from Garrett McKechnie and Danny Cymbal:

Drinks @1886bar during #bloggerbarhop; I got the gin gin mule http://twitpic.com/3vdjxx

January 31, 2011 11:03 pm via TwitpicReplyRetweetFavorite

@LAOCfoodie

H.C.

For the trip out of Pasadena, I joined the hardy group seated in the open part of the trolley, warming myself with occasional swigs of Figgie Smalls. There may have been PBRs and Edison beer involved, too.

The Death Trolley rolled into downtown L.A. and our next stop, The Varnish. Logistically, it made sense to go downtown after the other bars, but of course this meant that the later stops on the itinerary would have to deal with a group that was on the far side of a dozen drinks. Varnish GM Chris Bostick told me later he was following our bar hop tweets and, like a captain preparing for an approaching storm, was able to batten down the hatches before we arrived.

#BloggerBarHop Stop #4: The Varnish (@213nightlife) a quick but effective stop. Devon Tarby makes a good Death and Taxes.

February 1, 2011 12:47 am via TwitterrificReplyRetweetFavorite

@foodgps

foodgps

Devon Tarby was a rock star, handling regular customers and ginned-up bar hoppers with equal aplomb. Caroline asked Tello to make her a Manhattan, “for old time’s sake.” I was dancing with Schimek when it was suddenly time to leave; all those drinks must have had the cumulative effect of compressing time, because it felt like we had just walked in.

The wheels had really started to come off the rails by the time we hit Seven Grand:

What round is this? (@ Seven Grand w/ @estarla @carolineoncrack) http://4sq.com/eYR5Xc

February 1, 2011 12:31 am via foursquareReplyRetweetFavorite

@ThirstyInLA

Thirsty in LA

Memories are scattered and fuzzy at this point, but the bar was definitely two or three deep and the clock was ticking on our stay (not that any of us were in dire need of more liquor). I’m pretty sure I ordered a WhistlePig Manhattan. I may have even drank some of it before a quick departure order was given.

Then it was back on the road, as we headed into the homestretch of the bar hop. Friends like Dan Cox were continuing to track our progress, and it seemed like they were having a good time drinking vicariously through us:

Reading #bloggerbarhop is even more entertaining than Justin Beiber on Letterman! BRING IT!!!

February 1, 2011 1:13 am via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@DanCoxPR

Dan Cox

Our penultimate stop on the bar hop was the Original Tommy’s in Hollywood, where Demarest loaded the trolley with a massive to-go order to help us soak up some of the gallons of booze. There’s a vague memory of Food GPS taking his leave at this point, burger in hand.

Pitstop for burgers and fries #bloggerbarhop (@ Original Tommy's Hamburgers) http://4sq.com/h96NHX

February 1, 2011 1:39 am via foursquareReplyRetweetFavorite

@LAOCfoodie

H.C.

Then we were back where it had all started. Only this time, we had to navigate a packed Roosevelt lobby and the queue to enter The Spare Room. We were all a bit gin crazed at this point, so copious amounts of water were all we could handle. Well, maybe a bit of dancing, too.

When the dust had settled, most of the bar hoppers had acquitted themselves admirably. Sure, there was sloppiness in abundance, but fear not, dear reader; we watched out for each other. No one was left behind and collateral damage was confined to a few (thousand) brain cells. And who had the winning scorecard? It was a tie between Esther and Lindsay, who both logged 22 drinks:

@SquashBlossom Oh we certainly didn't drink the most but we were coherent/nerdy enuf to keep score + ride OPENAIRTROLLEY @carolineoncrack

February 2, 2011 11:57 am via ÜberSocialOrigReplyRetweetFavorite

@estarLA

estarLA

The chicken scratches on my own mangled scorecard got progressively worse with each stop, so I’m impressed they were even able to write anything towards the end of the night. Free bowling and props to both Esther and Lindsey for riding in the open section of the Death Trolley all night!

Esther was kind enough to let me and Caroline crash at her place, and the morning arrived rather abruptly with the sound of her smoke alarm going off. (Naturally, no one moved.) As I sat up on the couch, I went through the usual post-boozing checklist: phone, wallet, camera; everything seemed to survive the crawl intact. Well, almost everything:

OH @ThirstyInLA: "Did I sit on a burger?" #bloggerbarhop #hangover

February 1, 2011 11:09 am via EchofonReplyRetweetFavorite

@Carolineoncrack

Caroline on Crack

Fortunately, I had a change of clothes with me and didn’t have to wear the jeans with the Tommy’s chili patch on the back pocket. For brunch, Esther suggested we meet Lindsay at The Hollywood Corner for some much-needed sustenance and Blogger Bar Hop debriefing. Unfortunately the Bloody Marys weren’t available, but Caroline and I managed:

Beer, it's what's for breakfast. (@ The Hollywood Corner w/ @estarla @carolineoncrack) http://4sq.com/dEKEPb

February 1, 2011 11:56 am via foursquareReplyRetweetFavorite

@ThirstyInLA

Thirsty in LA

No doubt about it, Caroline is a pro. Not only did she jumpstart and help organize the Blogger Bar Hop, she consistently tweeted throughout the night and also documented the shenanigans in an awesome Flickr album:

For the curious, pics from last night's @drinkenglishgin #bloggerbarhop http://bit.ly/dFZ13l

February 1, 2011 9:02 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@Carolineoncrack

Caroline on Crack

Many thanks to Aidan Demarest, Caroline on Crack, Erick Castro, Plymouth Gin, our trolley driver, and of course all the bartenders who helped make the Blogger Bar Hop a night that none of us will soon forget. Or remember, for that matter. Cheers!

More coverage of the Blogger Bar Hop:

• Caroline on Crack – And Then It Was All a Blur
• e*star LA – All Aboard: Blogger Bar Hop on the Trolley of Death
• L.A. Cocktails Examiner – Drunkocalypse Now

Oliver Jones mixes his winning cocktail, the Myrtle Berry Flip.

Oliver Jones has been named the winner of the 2010 Jimmy Barela Award, which honors the legendary bartender who held court at Cole’s Red Car Bar for 65 years. Jones, who can be found behind the stick at Las Perlas and Tengu (Westwood), bested eleven other competitors in a cocktail showdown that took place at The Varnish on Repeal Day.

Myrtle Berry Flip

A native of Oxford, England, Jones has explored cuisines and spirits around the world, thanks to a lifelong love of travel passed down from his parents. Whether he’s drinking genever in Holland or airag (fermented mare’s milk) in Mongolia, Jones is always on the hunt for new ingredients to use in his recipes. He constantly experiments with new types of infusions; “the weirder the better,” as he puts it.

Jones also seeks out forgotten herbs and spices and exotic spirits not yet popularized in the Western world. Case in point is his winning recipe for the Myrtle Berry Flip, which features Tremontis Mirto, a unique Sardinian liqueur made by macerating myrtle berries. Known throughout the Mediterranean since ancient times, the myrtle was used for everything from medicine to wedding rituals. In mythology, the myrtle was associated with Venus and other goddesses. Whether its supposed aphrodisiac properties had anything to do with Jones winning the competition, one can only guess.

To be considered for the competition, cocktail recipes had to use at least 1.5 ounces of Plymouth Gin and use no more than 5 ingredients (excluding garnish). At The Varnish, each competitor had to make four cocktails in 10 minutes: 3 were used for the blind judging, and 1 was for photo ops and guests to sample. The esteemed members of the judging panel were Varnish GM Chris Bostick, Erick Castro (West Coast Brand Ambassador, Plymouth and Beefeater Gins), Jessica Gelt (LA Times), and Jonathan Gold (LA Weekly).

During the three-hour event, an impressive variety of entries were sent out to the judges. While bars from 213 Nightlife were well represented (Bob Nickerson from Cole’s, Matt Wallace of Seven Grand), it was nice to see competitors from all over town (e.g. Buffalo Club’s Giovanni Martinez, Roger Room’s Jason Bran) in the mix.

Pablo Moix went all-out with his West Indies Winter Punch.

Some were familiar names from favorite bars, such as Pablo Moix (La Descarga), Devon Tarby (The Varnish), and Julian Wayser (Caña). Tricia Alley (Providence) and Jennifer Contraveos (SoHo House West Hollywood) were new to me and are on my radar after Sunday. Pablo went all-out with his West Indies Winter Punch, which was served to the judges in a ceramic punch bowl mounted atop a pedestal. Naomi Schimek (First & Hope) presented her Remembrance cocktails in vintage glassware and decorated the serving tray with a pear and rosemary to match her ingredients.

Naomi Schimek served her Remembrance cocktails in vintage glassware.

The competition winners were announced to the public at the Seven Grand Repeal Day Celebration later that night: Jones won $500 for first place, Naomi got a pair of Clippers tickets for placing second (sadly, it’s not a Lakers game), and Garrett McKechnie (1886) took home a Plymouth bar kit for third place. Congrats to the winners, many thanks to everyone who participated, and cheers to Eric Alperin for hosting the competition.

Garrett McKechnie puts the finishing touches on his Molly Pitcher Club Cocktail.

THE MYRTLE BERRY FLIP by Oliver Jones

• 2 oz. Plymouth Gin
• ¾ oz. lemon juice
• 1 egg white
• ¾ oz. Tremontis Mirto
• 3 bar spoons organic Blueberry jam
• Shake and double-strain into a chilled coupe glass.
• Garnish with a sprig of myrtle.

Remembrance

REMEMBRANCE by Naomi Schimek

• ¾ oz. lemon juice
• 1 oz. rosemary syrup
• ¼ oz. bianco vermouth
• 1 oz. pear-infused sherry
• 1½ oz. Plymouth Gin
• Shake and double-strain into a 5 oz. coupe glass.
• Garnish with a sprig of rosemary.

The Molly Pitcher Club Cocktail

THE MOLLY PITCHER CLUB COCKTAIL by Garrett McKechnie

• Dash of Whiskey Barrel Bitters
• ¾ oz. homemade pineapple demerara syrup
• ¾ oz. lemon juice
• 2 oz. Plymouth Gin
• Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
• Garnish with star anise and fresh grated cinnamon.
• Finish with a light absinthe spray.

Ever since I received a preview copy of Left Coast Libations (LCL), I shamelessly posted recipes from the excellent book of 100 cocktails, created by 51 of the best bartenders on the West Coast. To celebrate the book’s release, LCL creators Ted Munat, Michael Lazar, and Scott Bodarky have spent the last few weeks hosting release parties at LCL cities such as San Francisco, Seattle and Portland. This Sunday, October 17th, it’s L.A.’s turn to party LCL-style when The Varnish welcomes Munat, Lazar and Bodarky for a Left Coast Libations Release Party.

The LCL creators will be at The Varnish to sign books, which will be available for purchase at the event. (Hmm…since I already bought my own copy will they make me buy another one if I want it signed?) As I write this, Lazar is infusing Duggan McDonnell’s Campo de Encanto Pisco with dried apricots in order to make Ryan Fitzgerald’s Il Terzo (LCL pg. 52) for the party. Also guest bartending is Anu Apte (Rob Roy, Seattle), who will feature her original LCL cocktails such as the Saffron Sandalwood Sour and the Smallflower (both pg. 102).

Joining McDonnell and Apte from the home team is The Varnish’s own Devon Tarby. As it says on the Facebook event page: “[Devon Tarby] with Anu will surely create the most Unstoppable Drink Duo of Full Feminine Force the world has yet known.” LCL’s Los Angeles contributors, such as Varnish co-owner Eric Alperin, will also be present.

For more information, visit www.leftcoastlibations.com.

Left Coast Libations Release Party
Sunday, October 17, 2010
8pm-12am

The Varnish
118 E. Sixth St.
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 622-9999
www.thevarnishbar.com

Update 10/14: As if the LCL release party weren’t enough, there’s a preparty from 4-8pm, featuring LCL contributors Eric Alperin and Marcos Tello! The preparty is FREE, but RSVP is required. Send your RSVPs to Varnish GM Chris Bostick, at bostick[at]213downtown[dot]la.

My partner in crime for the Crawl was Justin Sloe, DJ extraordinaire and craft beer expert (not necessarily in that order). Media check-in was at Seven Grand, where Sloe and I met up to get our wristbands, map and 6-ounce tasting glasses. The Manila Machine (one of several food vendors selected for the Crawl by LA Weekly’s Jonathan Gold) was parked in front, but we didn’t have time to eat; there was beer waiting for us upstairs!

At Seven Grand, Crawlers queued up for Craftsman and other top breweries.

Seven Grand’s main room was packed with Crawlers sipping pours from brewers such as Allagash and Lost Coast, who were set up along the bar. On the far side of the room was Craftsman Brewing, who poured us their Fireworks Saison. Light and fruity with a bit of funk, the saison was an excellent way to kick off the Crawl. Comment from Justin Sloe (JS): “Perfect warm weather beer with a nice kick of Belgian yeast.”

We made our way to the Jackalope Room, where the Beer Chicks were leading a media tasting of several of their top picks:

• Craftsman Oktoberfest – a sweet and malty follow-up to our first pour of the Crawl. JS, from his Beer Advocate review: “The roasted oat malt shine in the nose and the taste. It’s caramel with a touch of cashew. Slight hop profile fills in with a nice finish.”
• Lost Coast Grand Cru – an Imperial White Ale that the Beer Chicks described as “Blue Moon on acid.” JS: “This was supposed to be a bigger version of their Great White Witbier, a beer I generally don’t like. Surprised to find this more refined and subtle.”
• Allagash Curieux – a Belgian-style Tripel aged for eight weeks in Jim Beam bourbon barrels. The aging adds oak, vanilla and sweet caramel notes to the Tripel’s 11% ABV kick. JS: “The bourbon could easily overpower the spiciness, but they compliment each other well. Big beer.”
• Craftsman Aurora Borealis – the “secret beer” scheduled to be tapped later at Seven Grand, a Belgian Strong Pale Ale that was a bit much for me. Sloe thought it was “too hot for something like this, I’d like to try it in the winter.”

A beer float made with Maui CoCoNut Porter, perfect for Caña's patio.

This being an L.A. bar crawl, we drove to our next stop, Caña Rum Bar. Inside, Crawlers queued up for beer floats made with Maui Brewing Co. CoCoNut Porter, which were served in Caña’s glasses rather than the Beer Crawl tasters. The delicious beer floats, with their great mix of coconut, coffee, chocolate and vanilla flavors, were a perfect fit for the heat wave. JS: “The vanilla ice cream (wish we got the coconut gelato!) went great with the richness of the porter and the coconut shined through.”

Out on the patio, Jolly Pumpkin was out of their Oro de Calabaza, so we went with the Bam Bière, a dry, sour farmhouse ale that Sloe describes as “another funky saison, could drink this all day.” Back at the bar, Caña GM Allan Katz poured us a round of Maui Brewing’s Big Swell IPA, which was hops-forward and malty with a sweet and slightly bitter finish. JS: “Big Swell is a terrific IPA when fresh, and it was. Large hop profile, which I love.”

As we drove down Broadway (where we spotted the LudoTruck parked next to Broadway Bar), we made the executive decision to head straight to Las Perlas. First up for me was Uncommon Brewers Siamese Twin, a Belgian-style Dubbel seasoned with coriander and Thai spices, with notes of lemongrass and lime. Then came Uncommon’s Bacon Brown Ale, which didn’t have the smoke or pepper I was hoping for, but did have some caramel and an odd sourness. JS: “You could taste some savoriness in the finish, but I’d be lying if I said I could taste the swine.”

Guelaguetza's chicken tamale with black mole.

And then, who should we see at the bar but the Mezcal Muse herself, Bricia Lopez. She was at Las Perlas to oversee the Guelaguetza station, which was serving chicken tamales with black mole on the patio. While Sloe and I sipped our beers, Bricia graciously brought over two boxes for us. We gratefully inhaled the delicious meal, a perfectly timed respite that fueled us for the remainder of the Crawl.

But we weren’t quite done with Las Perlas. Eagle Rock Brewery was outside, where co-owner and brewer Jeremy Raub first poured us a round of his crisp and refreshing Manifesto Eagle Rock Wit. The Belgian-style white ale, with its citrus and floral notes, was especially enjoyable on the patio. JS: “One of my faves of the day – he nailed the classic witbier with a lil’ spiciness [you] might find in a saison. Amazing beer.” Next was the Eagle Rock Populist, an herbaceous IPA strong on hops and spice. JS: “Fine representation of this American hop attack classic.”

The Hot Knives, Evan George (L) and Alex Brown (R).

Then it was across the street to the Crawl’s VIP Lounge, located inside the Varnish. As we walked in, The Hot Knives (Alex Brown and Evan George) were pouring their Tonka Bean Porter (actual name here) for eager Crawlers. I would add some tasting notes, but my ADD kicked in when Varnish bartender Devon Tarby called us over and said, “This is for you.”

The Double Black Diamond: so nice, we had it twice.

“This” was the Double Black Diamond, made with Deschutes Black Butte Porter, Gosling’s Black Seal Rum, whole egg, and freshly grated nutmeg. The DBD was a ridiculously good beer cocktail, a drink with a richness and depth of flavor that could be enjoyed in cooler weather, yet went down so nice and easy on Saturday night. Sloe was probably underestimating when he said he “could have had a dozen of these.”

Devon Tarby puts the finishing touches on our Double Black Diamonds.

TAPS Brewmaster Victor Novak was also at the Varnish, pouring directly from hand-labeled bottles. We did get a taste for one of our glasses, but the Double Black Diamonds were calling us again, this time mixed by Varnish GM Chris Bostick. We didn’t try the Picon Bière (TAPS Belgian White, Torani Amer, lemon juice, sugar), but it would have to be a beer cocktail of biblical proportions to surpass the DBD.

Chris Bostick prepares a Picon Bière.

And with that, the Crawl over and it was time for the lights to go down for regular service. Of course, since we were at the Varnish this also meant it was time for a round of cocktails, courtesy of Sloe. Alex Day was now behind the bar, and it was great to introduce him to Sloe, who remarked that he loves to watch someone (of any profession) working at the top of their game. Sloe thought his tequila drink was “delicious,” and even though I missed the cocktail’s name, with its use of mezcal and flamed orange peel I’d guess that it was a Oaxaca Old Fashioned. As for me, Day made a Left Hand (bourbon, sweet vermouth, Campari and mole bitters) that hit all the right flavor notes, something I could still appreciate even after a day of sampling so many great beers.

Cheers to 213 and the Beer Chicks for putting together a successful Beer Crawl. Here’s hoping it’s the first of many!

Master Distiller Richard Paterson will open your eyes (and nose) to single malt Scotch.

Last month I was invited to sample several expressions of The Dalmore single malt Scotch at an intimate event held at the Varnish. The tasting was conducted by Richard Paterson (aka “The Nose”), third generation Master Blender for Whyte & Mackay, which owns and operates The Dalmore. Paterson is also the author of Goodness Nose and, according to his bio, the first (and perhaps only) Master Blender to appear in a manga. From his first dram at age eight (given to him by his father), Paterson went on to become a Master Blender at just 26 years old, and now travels the globe as a brand ambassador, Scotch evangelist, and representative for all of Scotland. Paterson had literally just flown in from San Francisco; his luggage was tucked away in a corner of the bar.

It'll cure what ails ya: The Penicillin.

The Dalmore tasting was hosted by Varnish Bar Manager Eric Alperin, who was ably assisted by bartender Devon Tarby. The event began with servings of The Penicillin, the wonderful cocktail created by New York mixologist Sam Ross (Milk & Honey, Little Branch). I’ve had the Penicillin many times at Comme Ça (where Ross launched the bar program), and the Varnish does a great version with 12 Year Old Scotch, lemon juice, honey and ginger syrup. The mixture is shaken and strained into an Old Fashioned glass lined with an Islay mist, then garnished with a candied ginger. It’s a refreshing drink perfectly suited to whet our palates for the Scotch to come.

After cocktails and introductions, we took our seats and Paterson began. He quickly launched into a whirlwind history lesson that spanned centuries and crisscrossed the Atlantic. Without the benefit of notes, he mentioned an astonishing number of important dates, many with only a tangential relationship to whisky. Then it was a quick tour of Scotland and its whisky regions, finishing at the Highland town of Alness, where The Dalmore distillery is located.

Although The Dalmore was founded in 1839 by Sir Alexander Matheson (thanks to his profitable opium trade), Paterson traced The Dalmore’s history to 1263, when an ancestor of the Clan MacKenzie saved King Alexander III from being gored by a stag. In return, the grateful king allowed him to bear a stag’s head in his coat of arms. The MacKenzies bought The Dalmore from Matheson in 1886 and owned the distillery for nearly a century; thus the family’s 12-pointed stag emblem adorns every bottle of Dalmore.

The Tasting
Then it was time for the tasting. Well, almost. First, Paterson described the nosing glass, with a balloon shape designed to funnel the aromas into your nose for maximum appreciation of the whisky’s character. He poured a bit of whisky into the glass, swirled it, and to our surprise tossed it sideways to the floor. Then he poured a dram into the rinsed glass, taking pains to show us how to hold it properly at the bottom, rather than palming it. Paterson then brought the glass all the way up to his face, said “hello” to the whisky, and inhaled deeply. He pulled the glass away, brought it back up and said, “how are ya?” before inhaling again. He did this a third time and said, “I’m well, thank you very much.” Then he took a sip. As he gently hummed, Paterson kept the whisky in his mouth, rolled it under his tongue, to the sides of his mouth, then the back. All of this is done to give the whisky time to open up and reveal itself. Finally, he swallowed and took a deep, open-mouthed breath. He paused, then released the breath.

As Paterson finished his lesson, our first drams were poured, and we were ready to begin.

THE 12
50% aged in American white oak, 50% in Olosoro sherry wood.

• Color – Golden, mahogany.
• Nose – Marmalade, sherry, aromatic spice.
• Palate – Rich, citrus, sweet vanilla.
• Finish – Long and spicy.

GRAN RESERVA
Aged in 40% American white oak, 60% in Olosoro sherry wood. Finished in sherry butts for six months.

• Color – Deep, golden mahogany.
• Nose – Citrus, dried fruit.
• Palate – Marmalade, hints of coffee and chocolate.
• Finish – Long, ripe orange, lemon zest.

THE 15
Aged in bespoke Matsusalem, Apostoles and Amoroso sherry butts.

• Color – Deep amber, copper.
• Nose – Cloves, ginger, dried spices.
• Palate – Intense citrus, marmalade, molasses.
• Finish – Lingering spice and pepper.

1263 KING ALEXANDER III
During the 1970’s, 80s and 90s, Paterson filled French wine casks, Madeira drums, sherry butts from Jerez, Sicilian Marsala barrels, port pipes from the Douro and Kentucky bourbon barrels with young Dalmore spirit. Paterson monitored the casks over the decades until the contents had matured, then united them in this rich, complex whisky.

• Color – Bright copper.
• Nose – Orange, spice, nuts.
• Palate – Berries, black currant, vanilla.
• Finish – Long and velvety.

The Dalmore 62: "The most expensive thing he'll ever have in his mouth."

The Dalmore 62
After we tasted the four expressions, Paterson asked for a volunteer. One lucky bastard gentleman was invited to taste what Paterson revealed to be The Dalmore 62 Year Old, one of the rarest and most valuable Scotch whiskies in the world. As Paterson told us, it’s “the most expensive thing he’ll ever have in his mouth.” The 62 is comprised of four casks of single malt, dating from 1868, 1876, 1926 and 1939. Only 12 bottles were produced in 1943, each with their own name on a handwritten label. According to the BBC, a businessman paid £32,000 (over $58,000 at the time) for a bottle of the 62 at the Pennyhill Park Hotel in 2005. Amazingly, he shared the bottle (named “Matheson,” after the Dalmore founder) with some incredibly lucky friends and they nearly finished it in one night. Of the remaining bottles, ten are in private collections, while “The Kildermorie Bottle” is owned by Whyte & Mackay. It was from this exceptional bottling that Paterson poured a dram. He guided our friend through the once-in-a-lifetime tasting, and at the moment he told his pupil to swallow, Paterson set off a confetti popper, startling everyone and ensuring we’ll have a lasting memory from our afternoon with The Nose.

For more information, visit www.thedalmore.com.
Richard Paterson’s official website: www.themasterblender.com.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG4F0NmGpg4