US bartenders take Vinexpo Bordeaux by storm

The Spirits Business is set to partner with the US Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) at Vinexpo Bordeaux’s hotly anticipated Spiritual bar, where the fascinating world of spirits and cocktails will take centre stage.

The Spiritual bar at Vinexpo Bordeaux will feature bespoke cocktails expertly crafted by award-winning members of the USBG

Following on from its enormously successful inaugural year at Vinexpo Asia-Pacific in Hong Kong, Spiritual – the trade show’s largest cocktail and spirits bar hosted in partnership with The Spirits Business magazine and the International Bartenders’ Association (IBA) – will make its French debut in Bordeaux from 14-18 June 2015.

The bar provides visitors with an exclusive opportunity to discover and sample global spirits brands from a selection of expertly crafted cocktails.

Each cocktail will highlight a specific spirit category and will be created by some of the best bartenders in the US. The USBG has appointed some of its most esteemed alumni to tend the large 150 msq stand, which will also host one 10-minute flair bartending show every day.

The association has experienced momentous progress in the past five years – growing from 800 members in 2010 to more than 50,000 members this year. Its role in Vinexpo Bordeaux is particularly fitting since the show announced that its “guest country” for 2015 would be the United States.

“This is a really exciting opportunity for our bartenders to participate in something with such an international scope,” said Aaron Gregory Smith, executive director of the USBG.

“We are still finalising the list of participating bartenders, but we are inviting a number of award-winners who all performed exceptionally in USBG competitions.”

Daisy Jones, associate publisher and events director of The Spirits Business, added: “Having partnered with the Hong Kong Bartenders’ Guild at last year’s Vinexpo Asia-Pacific, we are truly delighted that are able to extend our relationship further across the IBA family.

“Spiritual is the ultimate, unrivalled cocktail bar held at any trade show in the world and we would encourage all in attendance to head over and experience Vinexpo’s new spirits focus.”

In addition to delectable cocktails, educational seminars, brand-sponsored masterclasses and first-class bartender training sessions are all part of the Spiritual experience, with a number of product placement opportunities available to spirits brands in the display area.

As the networking and academic core of the event, Spiritual serves to connect the global bartending community with brands at the cutting edge of the industry.

For more information on getting involved with Spiritual, contact Daisy Jones, at daisy.jones@thespiritsbusiness.com.