What is your overall goal for the competition?
Our overall goal with this competition is to create results that those in the on-premise industry respect. After all—their peers are the ones who are judging.
Who are your judges?
Our judges are some of the top on-premise buyers around the USA. We will be updating the site with biographies of the judges as we move closer to the competitions.
Do you have to be distributed in Chicago or the United States to be in the competition?
The competition is open to all commercially-produced alcohol available around the world. So, if you are only sold in California or Italy, you may submit to the competition.
How do you promote the winners?
We will be showcasing the top winners immediately after the competition on the show floor of BAR 17. The winning results will be published in Bar Business in print and online versions—at least three times in print, and multiple times in the online edition. The Alcohol Professor will be showcasing the winners of the competition in related articles as well.
If we win, do we get an actual medal?
Winners will receive a physical 2” medal and the use of the digital medal image in their POS. All stickers and images on the packaging must be purchased through us for quality control.
How do you run the competition?
We are partnering with Adam Levy, the “Alcohol Professor” who has founded and runs the International Beverage Competitions. These include the New York International Spirits Competition, Berlin International Spirits Competition and Melbourne International Spirits Competition, which have been in operation for many years.
How many bottles do I need to send?
We request that you send 2 x 700 or 750ml of spirits or wine per submission. If mixers, we request the similar minimum amount of 14-1500ml unless it is bitters. If smaller size, then 3 x 500ml or less. For beer we request 3 x 12oz cans or bottles, or 2 x 500ml or 750ml.
Do you blind taste?
Yes. The judges will be blind-tasting all liquids by their category and national retail price. So the judges will know, for example, that it is a Potato Vodka that retails for $25, or Tequila Anejo that retails for $65.
If I don’t see my category here, what should I do?
Please immediately contact us for additional help—we may create a new category for your new special product!
Do I have to be there to compete?
We get that question a lot....No! It's a blind tasting, so no producers or their representatives are asked to be onsite. All you need to do is send the bottles!
