As Bar Convent Berlin marks its 10th edition, SB looks ahead to what’s in store at one of Europe’s biggest on-trade events, and grabs a sneak preview of highlights from some key exhibitors.

Bar Convent Berlin returns in 2016 for its 10th edition.  Credit: Constantin Falk

According to tradition, a fitting gift for a 10th anniversary is tin. Not so for the organisers of Bar Convent Berlin (BCB), which has grown to become a continent’s leading on-trade exhibition. As it returns in 2016 for its 10th edition, the organisers are celebrating with a broader selection of exhibitors, a brand new conference and expansion into an entire additional hall.

BCB was first held in 2007, when 16 exhibitors gathered at the city’s Glashaus with founders Jens Hasenbein, Bastian Heuser and Helmut Adam. Fast-forward a decade and 10,000 trade visitors can expect to find 280 exhibitors packed into Station Berlin from 11-12 October 2016.

The diverse mix of exhibitors, from giants such as Diageo and Pernod Ricard to the newest ‘craft’ suppliers, will now span six halls. The large mixology stage will move to the new Hall 5, as will the food court, giving the coffee and brewing contingent more space in Hall 3. The show organisers are also adding an entire conference day to the start of the proceedings, the Global Innovation Forum.

For 2016, the United Kingdom is serving as the country of honour, following in the footsteps of Brazil, which took centre stage in 2015. Hall 3 will act as a spirits embassy of sorts, with eight exhibitors making up a British pavilion, including Funkin, Mitchell & Cooper and Mason Yorkshire.

Also flying the flag for Team GB is Pimm’s. The Diageo-owned brand has commandeered a red double-decker bus and transformed it into a bar. Stop by for a traditional summer cup served from the most iconic of British transport vehicles.

The education opportunities have taken a decidedly British twist, too. At the Taste Forum, David T. Smith, the UK Gin Guild representative and Global Spirits Masters judge, and the spirits writer Dave Broom will explore topics including “The New Breed of British Gins” and “The Best of No-Age-Statement Scotch Whiskies”. On the main stage, Tristan Stephenson and Lewis Hayes, two big names on the London bar scene, will impart their knowledge.

The BCB recipe has so far been one of riotous success. The 2015 event saw exhibitor numbers soar 30% on the previous year, with visitors up 20%. BCB director Petra Lassahn said at the time: “Internationality begets quality. BCB continues to elevate its international relevance as a central industry and business event.”

Co-founder Hasenbein added: “BCB managed to further enhance its clear and unmistakable profile in the premium segment, which is something that’s increasingly being honoured by the market and making waves internationally.”

With 2016’s 10th anniversary show likely to become another year-on-year success, it makes sense that the BCB team eye up other international markets. Speaking at the 2015 event, fellow co-founder Adam revealed that China and Latin America were both target markets, after BCB partnered with Reed Exhibitions to grow the show.

But back to Berlin, and a two-day trade show which promises to be bigger than ever. Read on for the latest inside info from some of the exhibition’s leading lights.

Read on for our top exhibitors at this year’s Bar Convent Berlin.

Teeling Whiskey Company

Stand: 4/M08
Teeling Whiskey has identified BCB as a “fantastic opportunity” to interact with its broad customer base across Europe and the US.

“This will be our first time taking our own stand at BCB and we are excited to
have as many bartenders and industry influencers as possible come by,” says global brand ambassador Kevin Hurley.

The brand’s “Teeling Trinity” remains the core focus: Teeling Small Batch (a rum cask-finished blend), Teeling Single Grain (matured in Cabernet Sauvignon casks) and Teeling Single Malt (a NAS blend of five wine-finished single malts). “We will also be sampling a range of bottle-rested Teeling whiskey cocktails that showcase the versatility of our spirit,” he adds.

In addition to the classic range, Teeling will also showcase some new releases on-stand. Teeling Revival Volume 2 leads the charge, a 13-year-old single malt finished in a calvados cask, while the Spirit of Dublin Poitín, new-make from the brand’s new distillery, will also be available to sample.

In addition, “we will be giving one lucky visitor to our stand a very special surprise,” Hurley continues. “Each visitor to sample our whiskey will get the chance to enter a draw for one of our Teeling Fixie Bicycles, handmade by our distillery neighbours funkedupfixies.com. Come see us on our stand for details.”

Thomas Henry

Stand: 7/G38
German firm Thomas Henry describes BCB as “more important to us than Christmas”. The soft drinks supplier will be on home turf at the show, and is “happy to have a family reunion once a year”, says a spokesperson.

Its entire product range will be on display with visitors able to enjoy both classic long drinks and BCB-exclusive creations on- stand. Leading bartenders Arnd Henning Heißen from Curtain Club and Phum Sila-Trakoon, from Panama and Le Croco Bleu will talk guests through the cocktails.

“We can still experience a growing need for premium fillers and we respond to the call for more variety by offering those in front of and behind bars an alternative in taste, price and look,” the spokesperson continues.

American Beverage Marketers

Stand: 4/M02
“I love BCB: it’s a growing and exciting show,” says Bill Hinkebein, vice president for marketing at American Beverage Marketers. “The atmosphere at BCB is vibrant, the seminars are on-target and fun.”

ABM is showing its range of Reál Fruit Infused Syrups, targeting all bartenders, mixologists, operators and spirits partners at the event.

On-stand, alongside the brand new Piña and Kiwi variants, the team will be serving a range of cocktails, variously shaken, stirred and frozen.

“Of course our friends and seminar speakers will be coming to the Reál booth to shake up some fabulous tiki and other drinks,” Hinkebein says.

“We’ll have Ian Burrell, Simone Caporale, Bruno Vanzan, Georgi Radev, the incredible DDP [Daniele Dalla Pola] and many US and other EU friends.”

Amber Beverage Group

Stand: 3/I08
The Riga Black Balsam team has a strong ambition to grow the herbal bitter’s global presence, and exhibiting at BCB offers a “priceless opportunity” to introduce the product to new audiences, says Maris Kalninš, Riga Black Balsam’s global brand director.

As far as BCB goes, “Our main goal is to increase Riga Black Balsam brand awareness internationally, especially among bartenders, to gain their advocacy and raise comprehension about Riga Black Balsam as a unique cocktail ingredient with vast potential,” he says.

BCB visitors will be able to experience Riga Black Balsam in three cocktails on the Amber Beverage Group stand: the Classical serve, a Blackcurrant version and Riga Black Balsam Element.

“Rum lovers will be excited by Riga Black Balsam Element where the classic Balsam recipe is joined by Caribbean rum, resulting in a modern and rich flavour of contemporary bitter,” Kalninš says.

Angostura

Stand: 7/G27
While Angostura Aromatic Bitters enjoys brand recognition around the world, the Trinidad-based producer’s rum portfolio is less well known. “Our presence at BCB is aimed at building brand awareness and education for our rums and Amaro di Angostura,” says Genevieve Jodhan, executive manager, export and business development at Angostura. “Not everyone knows where Trinidad and Tobago is located… exhibiting at BCB allows us to showcase our brands to 10,000-plus trade visitors.”

The entire portfolio of bitters, international rums and Amaro di Angostura will be on-stand. Amaro di Angostura was awarded the 2015 Best New Product of the Year by Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans. In addition, the brand will launch a new super-premium rum, Angostura 1787.

“Since we cannot bring everyone to Trinidad, we are bringing a piece of the island to BCB,” Jodhan says.
“Our booth is a bar inspired by Angostura’s island house, which is located on Gasparee Island, off the north coast of Trinidad. We are featuring delightful cocktails made by top bartenders from nine countries. And of course, our master distiller, John Georges, will be on site conducting tutored rum tastings and
masterclasses.”

Borco

Stand: 3/E11
Family-owned Borco has taken part in BCB since the first edition, and in 2016 will again be a “proud part of it”, says Dr. Tina Ingwersen-Matthiesen, member of the Borco board and family member.

The company will present its own in-house brands, in addition to a broad array of partner brands that the firm distributed.

“From our own brands we will present the Sierra Range, including Antiguo and Milenario qualities, Paloma Lemonade, Finsbury Gin, Old Pascas Jamaica and Barbados Rum, and Helbing Kummel with Helbing Aquavit,” Ingwersen-Matthiesen says. The far- reaching distribution portfolio includes names such as Fernet-Branca bitter, Chartreuse liqueur, Nikka Japanese whisky, Ron Abuelo rum and Whitley Neill gin.

On-stand, “we will bring together a remarkable mix of award-winning bartenders like every year. They will serve different kinds of drink styles and show classic and progressive techniques in contemporary perfection.” There will also be a series of talks planned to take place.

Funkin

Stand: 3/D01
Purees, syrups and pre-batched cocktail mixer supplier Funkin will return to BCB for a second time, as exports increasingly become more important to the business.

“We now export to around 30-odd countries; at BCB we get a lot of our existing customers coming as well as new ones,” says Andrew King, Funkin’s chief executive.

“Ironically the one of our closest European markets that we underperform in is Germany, so we’re looking for new distributors there – that’s going to be a big opportunity.

“We’re increasing getting into a number of countries in Eastern Europe, such as Latvia, Poland, and Hungary, so BCB is a great opportunity.” King sees the show as a shop window for Funkin’s products, and while there are no specific launches planned for the show, Funkin Pro’s Pink Guava Purée, Jalapeño Syrup and Smoke-Flavoured Syrup will all be on-stand highlights.

“We will be obviously making lots of cocktails and doing various interactive displays, talking about our products,” King says, adding that the brand, which is based in Camden, North London, will be situated in the UK pavilion.

Giffard

Stand: 2/I16
Liqueurs and syrups producer Giffard sees BCB as an opportunity to both showcase its products, and as an annual gathering with its European distributors and key bartenders.

“We sell our products to wholesalers throughout the world, but our main customer is the professional cocktail bartender or mixologist,” says Sophie Godefroy, international marketing manager. “We know that Bar Convent Berlin is the meeting point for many highly skilled and influential European bartenders, so this is definitely a good place to meet our customers directly, and learn from them, too.”

Key Giffard stand-outs include on-trend flavours from the both the Classic and Premium liqueur range, in addition to specialities including Menthe Pastille and the innovative Egg White syrup, made of sugar cane and pasteurised egg white, ideal for food-safe sours.

“BCB will also see the German market launch of our brand new Sauces, a range of three flavours in 2-litre bottles: Caramel, Dark Chocolate, and Strawberry and Red Berries. These smooth and creamy sauces ensure long lasting toppings on cold or hot drinks.” In addition, Giffard brand ambassador Karsten Kuske will host two masterclasses, and mixologist Vladislav Davidenko will create cocktails with Giffard liqueurs.

Luxco

Stand: 7/H12
BCB gives Luxco the “opportunity to expose our extensive portfolio of Bourbons to European importers as well as key buyers and influencers in the on trade sector,” says Greg Mefford, international sales director.

With the company on the look-out for importers throughout Europe, the show takes on particular importance this year. Key on-stand products include Rebel Yell Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Rebel Yell Small Batch Bourbon, Rebel Yell Rye, Ezra Brooks Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Ezra Brooks Rye, Ezra Brooks 7 Year Old Bourbon, Everclear Moonshine and the El Mayor Tequila portfolio of blanco, reposado and añejo expressions.

“We will be offering the opportunity to taste award-winning Bourbon and Tequila on-stand,” Mefford continues. Bourbon, he says, is increasingly important to bar operators.

“The Bourbon market continues grow year on year. Consequently, Bourbon-based cocktails are on the rise as well. It is becoming increasingly fashionable to have multiple bourbon-based cocktails on a drinks menu,” Mefford states.

Trois Rivières

Stand: 3/D10a
The Groupe BBS-owned Agricole rhum brand Trois Rivières is due to exhibit at BCB for the very first time this year.

“Our strategy is to develop the brand awareness and legitimacy of Trois Rivières among bartenders in Horeca,” says Stéphanie Labasque, global marketing and commercial director at Groupe BBS.

“We launched the Rhumbellion bartenders’ contest in 2016, and we will schedule the second edition in 2017. We want bartenders to consider that Trois Rivières is the French Agricole rhum brand, and that rhum Agricole brings added value to cocktails.”

To achieve this, Trois Rivières has recruited two leading bartenders from the Paris scene to join the brand in Berlin: Thomas Girard from Hexagone and Ben Tyler from Little Red Door.

“We will focus on our products dedicated to cocktails: white rums at 40% abv and 50% abv, our old rum VSOP, and our Cuvée de l’Océan,” Labasque says, referring to the newly launched rum made from sugar cane stalks grown on the riverfront in Martinique, the brand’s home.