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Digital workshops to inform and entertain during self-isolation

 

As bartenders and drinkers are told to stay at home, the industry has responded with a host of digital workshops and classes to keep people entertained. Here, we list 10 online offerings to improve your time inside.

A live-streamed yoga class launched this week

From live-streamed yoga workshops to talks from mountaineers, the drinks industry has created a huge variety of online resources to entertain those currently in isolation as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Brands including Bombay Sapphire gin and Rooster Rojo Tequila have turned to brand ambassadors to host workshops, while bars including Two Schmucks and Mr Fogg’s have created videos to broaden drinkers’ minds.

SB has rounded up 10 of the most intriguing online resources that strive to make our time in self-isolation informative, educational and entertaining.

Click through the following pages to see our pick of the best online resources for bartender and customers. 

Have you seen any initiatives that we have missed? Let us know in the comments section.

Diageo takes to social media

Johnnie Walker owner Diageo this week launched a series of brand ambassador takeovers across its social media channels to educate the on-trade at home.

As part of the initiative, 12 Diageo brand ambassadors will take over the World Class GB and Diageo Bar Academy social media pages.

Each day, a brand ambassador will present three short videos showcasing cocktail recipes using items at home. The clips will also focus on developing skills and techniques such as creating homemade syrups and cordials.

Mr Fogg’s brings adventure closer to home

London drinking den Mr Fogg’s Society of Exploration this week brought its Explorer Series to social media.

The series of talks, which previously took place at the Covent Garden bar, features appearances from some of the world’s leading explorers. The online incarnation of the series kicked off on Monday (23 March) with world-leading mountaineer, arctic and jungle explorer Lucy Shepherd.

Each week, leading explorers will be answering questions and providing the ultimate travel inspiration on the Mr Fogg’s Instagram channel.

MX3 offers fitness in your front room

In the US, fitness centre MX3 Fitness has launched a series of online yoga classes that are free for members of the on-trade and nightlife industry.

Taking place every Monday at 11am Pacific time, the 75-minute Hatha Flow class will be taught by MX3 Fitness yoga director Marc Morozumi.

To sign up for next week’s class visit mx3fitness.com.

Two Schmucks launches US video series

Before the coronavirus pandemic hit, Spanish bar Two Schmucks was in the midst of a bartending tour across the US.

However, since the pandemic struck, the team has been stranded in the country, unable to return to their native Barcelona. As a result, the bartenders have taken the opportunity to travel across the country from the safety of a rented RV to interview bar owners about how the industry has been affected by the disease.

Videos of the interviews will be available to watch on the Two Schmucks YouTube channel.

Bombay Sapphire inspires creativity

Bacardi-owned Bombay Sapphire has launched the Create-From-Home online platform, which aims to help drinkers express their creativity and learn new skills as they self-isolate.

The multi-platform learning experience offers live-streamed online classes, workshops and cocktail-making sessions hosted by influencers from different fields.

To launch the service, Bombay Sapphire partnered with Skillshare to provide complimentary three-month memberships to the online education platform. Society6, an online marketplace, will also host weekly Drink and Draw events and creative DIY platform Hunker will create a library of content and tutorials for users to access.

Bunnahabhain talks tastings

Islay distillery Bunnahabhain is preparing to host an online whisky masterclass tonight (27 March) to connect with Scotch fans around the world.

During the live-streamed event, Bunnahabhain global brand director, Derek Scott, will share the brand’s history and craft, host a live Q&A session, as well as guide viewers through an expert tasting of the distillery’s 12- and 25-year-old whiskies.

The Facebook live event starts at 9pm GMT and is open to participants via Bunnahabhain’s Facebook page.

The Savoy explores the Booze Brain

Maxim Schulte, head bartender at The Savoy’s American Bar, and Jo Last, senior bartender at the hotel’s Beaufort Bar, have created an online training series for bartenders.

The new series, called The Booze Brain, provides viewers with seminars about alcohol and techniques, as well as updates within the industry and beyond.

Schulte and Last introduced the concept on Monday (23 March), and seminars have so far featured appearances from Beefeater’s global brand ambassador Sim Edwards and Claire Warner, co-founder of Seedlip’s sister brand Aecorn aperitifs.

This afternoon (27 March) at 4pm GMT, John Wayte, Monkey Shoulder’s UK brand ambassador, will host ‘Barography & Social Media’.

Amber Beverage Group gets social

Amber Beverage Group’s global brand ambassadors will host digital masterclasses for bartenders across its Moskovskaya vodka, Rooster Rojo Tequila, Cross Keys Gin and Riga Black Balsam liqueur brands.

To ensure bartender communities remain active, Amber Beverage Group is offering digital masterclasses from its brand ambassadors, including workshops from Moskovskaya’s global brand ambassador Felicity Gransden and Rooster Rojo Tequila global brand ambassador Ansis Ancovs (pictured).

For more information on each masterclass, head to the individual brands’ Instagram pages.

Slingsby brings the bar to your sofa

English gin brand Slingsby hosted the first in a series of social media masterclasses on Saturday (21 March).

Hosted by an in-house mixologist, the 20-minute session uncovered the history of gin and featured a demo on how to make the perfect G&T.

Saturday night’s Slingsby Sofa Session was the first in a series of live demos and talks hosted by the brand. More information on future sessions will be available soon.

Cask Trade teaches pronunciation

And finally, online whisky auctioneer Cask Trade has released an online pronunciation guide for some of the hardest to say Scotch whisky distilleries.

The tongue-in-cheek video is available to watch on the auctioneer’s YouTube channel and features easy-to-follow pronunciation guides for distilleries across the Scotch whisky sector.

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