Top Bartenders Of USA To Judge 2024 Bartender Spirits Awards
Top Bartenders, Mixologists, Bar Managers and On-Premise trade buyers will gather in Chicago for the 6th International Bartender Spirits Awards.
Using the tagline “Judged By Bartenders, Bar Managers and Off-Premise Managers For The On-Premise Industry,” the Bartender Spirits Awards will recognize, encourage, promote and celebrate excellence in the U.S. drinks industry for the 6th time.
The aim of this international spirits competition is to provide independent and honest reviews for brands targeting the U.S. bar trade. The judging panel consists of some of the most renowned names in the U.S. bar industry, all of them with extensive expertise within the on-premise industry. The result will be a relevant and practical source of reference for bartenders, bar managers, bar owners and other industry professionals when making purchasing decisions for their establishments.
Who are the Judges?
The judging panel consists entirely of top bartenders at U.S restaurants, bars, clubs and pubs. In certain cases, these bartenders can also be cocktail consultants for on-premise establishments or play an important buying role for the establishment.
The first round of 2024 Bartender Spirits Awards judges can be seen here. Some of the names include:
Makenzie Helem: Top 30 bartenders in the US for USBG World Class 2023 and Bartender at Spilt Milk, Chicago. She started in the industry while in college and was given the chance to bartend at a local cocktail bar, Miller's Back Door in Bellingham, WA. That's where her love for bartending and passion for creating cocktails really came to life.
Guillermo Bravo: Beverage Director at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Chicago.
Mike Ryan: Global Beverage Director, Acurio International, Chicago
With over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Acurio International, the foremost global restaurant company specializing in Peruvian cuisine, and for many years a leader in the promotion of Pisco and an innovator in its use. Mike Ryan is the Corporate Beverage Director for Acurio International and is considered one of the top spirits buyers for on-premise channels in the USA.
Mike brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role. Most recently, he served as the National Director of Bars at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, where he was instrumental in shaping the beverage identity of dozens of unique restaurants within the company.
In Mike’s new role, he will oversee Acurio’s global beverage program across all locations in the USA, LATAM, Europe, and the Middle East including the La Mar brand, Tanta, Yakumanka and new concept Jarana. He will be responsible for developing new and exciting beverage offerings, creating training programs for staff, implementing organizational systems, and ensuring that all locations uphold Acurio International’s high standards for quality and service. Bartender Spirits Awards is pleased to have Mike on the judging panel for the 2024 spirits competition.
Trudy Thomas: Corporate Director of Beverage at Southworth Development