Becoming a master

The world’s best bartenders poured, informed andsmiled for the judges. Alastair Gilmour reports on an unusual competition.

The world high jump record has been shattered by a young Swede wearing a smart suit.

The previous 2.45 metre leap by Cuban athlete Javier Sotomayor, which has resisted all-comers since 1993, was well and truly surpassed in late 2007 by Erik Jonsson. Erik, who now lives and works in Norway, also wore a tie.

Sadly, the mighty bound’s legality will not be ratified as it took place in a cinema – and no means of measuring the feat accurately was available. There’s no doubt a new mark was made, however, as more than 150 guests witnessed the 22-year-old bounce into rarified atmosphere after he was named Pilsner Urquell International Master Bartender of the Year 2007.

His reaction was a joy to behold.

The awards attracted 15 competitors from 15 nations representing some of the world’s finest bartenders. All were national champions whose skills and abilities were to be assessed by three specialists in New York’s fashionable Tribeca Grand Hotel, Manhattan.

For most of last year, more than 1,000 bar professionals from around the world had taken part in an extensive Master Bartender modular programme developed by Pilsner Urquell and designed to set a benchmark for quality in beer presentation. The in-depth training regime tests brewing knowledge, pouring skills and service standards and entrants have to demonstrate their expertise in written and practical exams that scrutinise their understanding of Pilsner Urquell’s heritage and brewing processes. The world’s first golden beer lent.....

To read the rest of this article you can buy this issue or subscribe to Beers of the World to have every issue delivered direct to your door.

By Alastair Gilmour

Section : Spotlight

Page number : 34