This year’s Bar Convent Berlin takes place in an expanded setting and is set to make a greater impact on its abundance of exhibitors and visitors. Here are the top spirits stands not to be missed.

One of the most highly anticipated events in the drinks industry’s calendar is preparing for its 11th annual show. More than 10,000 visitors are expected at this year’s Bar Convent Berlin (BCB), which takes place on 10 and 11 October 2017, welcoming bartenders, food and drinks experts and media eager to share and explore the latest trends and brands making waves in hospitality.

BCB 2017 will occupy all 10 of Station Berlin’s halls, covering 18,000sqm – a 2,000sqm increase on last year’s bustling event. And it’s a much­-needed increase, given that in 2016 exhibitor numbers were up by 20% compared with 2015, while trade visitors rose by 15% to 11,064.

BCB is expecting more than 300 exhibitors at this year’s event – more than half of which come from outside of Germany. “BCB long ago emerged as the industry’s most important premium event in Europe and beyond,” says Petra Lassahn, BCB director.

Due to popular demand, the Global Drinks Forum will take place a day ahead of the two­day trade show, from 9am­-6pm on 9 October. One of the key talking points will be global market trends and Mark Meek, CEO of the International Wine and Spirits Report (IWSR) will be sharing the latest insights into the alcohol and beverage industry.

Other speakers include Nick Blacknell, global marketing director at Havana Club, who will be presenting successful marketing strategies for ‘untrendy’ brands and products.

BCB has several Demo Bars lined up this year. TeamSpirit Internationale will be exploring gin, herbs and spices from Islay, Arcus Norway will showcase Linien Aquavit, while Bodegas Williams & Humbert will be serving rum. Giffard will be creating Tiki­-style drinks using liqueurs, and Monin will be introducing guests to some of its signature cocktails.

Keep reading for BCB exhibitor profiles and visit www.barconvent.com for further details about this year’s show.

American Beverage Marketers

Stand: 7/P02
American Beverage Marketers (ABM) encourages visitors to this year’s Bar Convent Berlin to stop by Hall 7, Stand P02, where the firm will be showcasing the full line of both Reàl Cocktail Ingredients and Finest Call Premium Mixes.

The Reàl Cocktail Ingredients range comprises a line of fruit­ infused syrups, designed to “open up a flavourful new world to mixologists, bartenders and cocktail lovers everywhere”, thanks to each bottle’s high fruit content.

“The Reàl brand starts a new chapter in our rich history as the category leader in liquid cocktail ingredients,” said William Hinkebein, VP of marketing for ABM.

“We are known around the world for our on­trade and retail brands. The new Reàl line opens up new opportunities for our customers to create unforgettable fruit cocktails.”

The brand will also communicate the versatility of its Finest Call range, which offers mixes such as sour blends and fruit purées.

Angostura

Stand: 1/C08
Trinidad­-based spirits producer Angostura will be bringing its collection of award­winning rums and bitters to this year’s Bar Convent Berlin.

Guests will be able to sample expressions from the company’s diverse portfolio, including the collection of international rums, Amaro di Angostura, Angostura Orange Bitters and Angostura Aromatic Bitters – which are now available in more than 170 countries worldwide.

The group hopes to communicate Angostura’s rich heritage and status as one of the world’s leading makers of aromatic bitters.

Speaking about this year’s BCB, a spokesperson for Angostura said: “For us, BCB brings together the bartending community and key players in the spirits industry, and therefore it is an excellent platform to engage this eager audience with our brands, showcasing their quality and versatility.”

Borco

Stand: 3/J07
Family­-owned Borco is returning to Bar Convent Berlin for another year with a whole range of spirits goodies in tow. From regional distillations such as Helbing Kümmel to 100% agave Sierra Milenario Tequila, the firm’s stand will be offering a wide variety of spirits to discover and sample.

Hailing from Guadalajara in Jalisco, Mexico, Sierra Milenario is keen to share a recent revamp of the Tequila brand’s website.

In March this year, Borco broadened its rum portfolio by taking over the global distribution of Cuban rum brand Ron Vacilón.

“BCB is one of our annual highlights,” enthused Dr Tina Ingwesen­Matthiesen, member of the Borco board and part of the Borco family. “In its 11th year we are thrilled to be able to introduce our unique portfolio to a wide range of visitors from all over the world.

“The uniquely and freshly redesigned Borco stand offers an exceptional way to experience the diversity of our portfolio and to present both our existing and new brands prominently. We are looking forward to spending two exciting days full of inspiring conversations and excellent drinks in Berlin.”

Ellustria Beverages

Stand: 8/V01
Ellustria will be bringing its complete spirits portfolio to Bar Convent Berlin, which includes Snow Queen Vodka, Romanov spirit drink, Belka & Strelka Vodka and Il Dottore Gin.

Bartenders Martin Siska and Craig Petrie from London’s Scarfes Bar will be joining the group on the stand to create cocktail serves for each spirit. The products will also be available to sample neat.

Roman Park, of Ellustria Beverages, said: “With BCB having become such an international event, gathering the ‘who’s who’ in the drinks industry, we took this opportunity to launch all of our brands and find the most suitable distributors to work with us on a long­-term basis.

“Due to our long­-term strategy, we are always looking to increase our presence globally. If you get the chance to visit us at this year’s BCB, join us at our stand in Hall 8, stand V01, and learn more about who we are and what we do, and try some of our deliciously crafted cocktails by world renowned mixologists.”

Franklin & Sons

Stand: 1/AO4
Tonic water and soft drinks producer Franklin & Sons is looking forward to its Bar Convent Berlin debut. “We are delighted to be attending our first Bar Convent show in Berlin,” said Justin Horseman, brand controller at Franklin & Sons. “We have had some fantastic success worldwide, but we are really excited to showcase Franklin to this market.”

Franklin & Sons has enjoyed rapid global success when it comes to exports of late, as a result of increasing premiumisation of all spirits categories, particularly gin. The company’s range of botanically­produced products is now available in 44 countries.

The brand first came to market in 1886, retailing from a small family confectionary shop in London. Inspired by its founding brothers, Franklin & Sons uses local fruit, roots and herbs to support British agriculture, while making the “finest tasting drinks”.

“We are finding that British quality and heritage are resonating strongly in all our export negotiations,” said Steve Perez, chairman of Franklin & Sons. “We believe these factors, alongside our tactile marketing strategy and investment, will always provide a unique selling point in territories and sectors where there is no record in strong brand offerings.”

Giffard

Stand: 8/U17
It was a scorching summer in 1885 when liqueur brand Giffard was born. At the time, Emile Giffard was a dispensing pharmacist in Angers in France’s Val de Loire.

“Inventive, curious and gourmet”, he carefully researched the digestive properties of mint and created a “pure, clear and refined” white mint liqueur, which he tested with customers in the Grand Hotel to give them relief from the heat – and was hugely successful.

It was then that Giffard transformed his pharmacy into a distillery, and named his liqueur Menthe­Pastille as a nod to the popular mint sweets of the time.

Five generations later, and Giffard still prides itself on being a family­-owned business with quality spirits at the heart of its ethos.

“The best ingredient is always flavour,” said a brand spokesperson. “Each liqueur needs several months of research, as we need to find the best fruit variety to give the exact fruit taste to the liqueur.”

Giffard will also be showcasing its bitter liqueur range Bigallet on stand 8/U18. Founded by Felix Bigallet towards the end of the 19th century, expressions include China­China, Génépi Grand Tétras, Thyme and Vervain Liqueur.

Ian Macleod Distillers

Stand: 1/C21
Glengoyne Scotch whisky owner Ian Macleod Distillers will make its first appearance at the 2017 BCB show.

The distillery prides itself on running its stills slower than any other Scotch whisky producer to achieve the sweet, fruity, unpeated spirit it has come to be known for.

Glengoyne’s collection of whiskies is left to mature in the distillery’s traditional dunnage warehouses before bottling.

The complete range of spirits will be available to sample at the group’s BCB stand, including whiskies aged for 10, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 25 years. A cask strength bottling will also be available. Guests can opt for a neat tasting, mixed in a cocktail or even paired with chocolate.

Stuart Thompson, business development director of Ian Macleod Distillers, said: “We are delighted to introduce this fantastic range of Highland single malt Scotch whiskies for the first time at Bar Convent Berlin.

“We look forward to demonstrating the versatility of Glengoyne to all the professionals visiting BCB.”

Thomas Henry

Stand: 7/P34
Berlin-­based Thomas Henry will be seeking new distributors at this year’s Bar Convent Berlin show as it aims to enhance its portfolio of tonic waters and mixers.

The German producer’s collection currently comprises tonic water flavours such as elderflower, cherry blossom, slim tonic and spicy ginger.

In 2014, the group released its All Day Range, with flavours such as mango and grapefruit.
Visitors to the Thomas Henry stand will be looked after by 16 international bartenders, who will be showcasing their mixing skills with a variety of Thomas Henry cocktail creations.

A spokesperson for Thomas Henry said: “Over the past few years, BCB has grown into one of the leading international trade fairs for the beverage industry.

Like in 2016, Thomas Henry will host its acclaimed BCB party on 10 October, with refreshing cocktails, long drinks and an exceptional live entertainment programme.

“Therefore, don’t forget to pick up your personal party invitation directly at the booth and join the celebration.”

Turin Vermouth

Stand: 7/P05
Hailing from Piedmont in Italy, Turin Vermouth has become known as an innovator of traditional Piedmontese vermouth, amaro and bitters.

This will be the company’s first year at Bar Convent Berlin, where it hopes to educate as many trade members as possible about the brand and what makes Vermouth di Torino so special.

A spokesperson for Turin Vermouth said: “For us, BCB has become the most important exhibition and our goal is to showcase our best signature cocktails.”

Brands will include Amaro Black Note, Vermouth Drapò Rosso, Tuvè Bitter, Tuvè Vermouth Drapò
Gran Riserva, Vermouth Drapò Dry, Vermouth Drapò Bianco and Tuvè Fernet Amaro.

Turin Vermouth has placed a greater emphasis on bartender education so far in 2017, and partnered with revered bartender Simone Caparole earlier this year.

The partnership resulted in a trade masterclass at The Library bar in Singapore, designed to introduce bartenders to the production and creative uses of the vermouth category.

U’Luvka Vodka

Stand: 1/C13
Making its Bar Convent Berlin debut at this year’s two­day trade show is super­premium U’Luvka Vodka.
Made from four different grains, U’Luvka is double­distilled in Poland to create a vodka with “strength, purity and smoothness”.

And what a debut it looks set to be, as the brand will be unveiling no fewer than four new flavours dedicated to the seasons. Based on the original U’Luvka recipe, the new releases are an infusion of flavours, including red apple and coriander, orange and juniper, watermelon and red pepper, and wild rose. U’Luvka also hopes to have a signature cocktail serve available for guests to sample throughout the weekend.

A spokesperson for the brand said: “U’Luvka Vodka will participate in Bar Convent Berlin for the very first time. We have tried to present our amazing brand at this show for some time and finally U’Luvka has landed.

“This show will be the perfect occasion to introduce our vodka to guests from all over the world. BCB 2017 will give us an opportunity to meet potential distributors and to meet our existing business partners and distributors.”

Wenneker

Stand: 7/Q01
Dutch spirits producer Wenneker, known for its diverse range of liqueurs, will be making a special revelation at this year’s Bar Convent Berlin: Denim Gin.

The new spirit offering from the Netherlands­-based producer is described as a “gin of character”, and is said to be spicy and full of flavour.

The story of Denim Gin stems from an old run­down shed that was owned by Daniël van der Tuijn of Wenneker Distilleries.

In a pair of denim jeans once worn by van der Tuijn was a recipe for a gin, scribbled on an old piece of paper. Decades later, the note was discovered by van der Tuijn’s grandsons, who decided to bring the gin to life.

A spokesperson for Wenneker said: “Wenneker thinks that we have a great new product with Denim Gin, with its ground­breaking packaging, and feels that BCB is the right place for the launch.

“BCB is increasingly becoming the place that is visited by bartenders who are at the forefront of their business and up to speed with the latest trends.

“So, in a sense, they are opinion leaders and can take any new product, such as Denim Gin, forward from there.”