Pilsner Urquell Announces Its UK Master Bartender
Pilsner Urquell, the original golden beer has crowned Danny Walker from The Square in Bristol as the prestigious Pilsner Urquell UK Master Bartender of the Year.
Danny will now join seventeen bartenders from around the world in the Czech Republic, the birthplace of Pilsner Urquell, to represent the UK in the global awards competition in Prague for a unique 3-day experience.
Bartenders will compete in an interactive, exciting, international final which comprises a series of written and practical assessments. These will take place both in the streets of Prague and the Pilsen brewery. Finalists will be tested on their knowledge of the brand, as well as their ability to pour the perfect Pilsner Urquell, whatever the circumstance and however many people are watching!
The winner of the coveted title will not only be awarded the title of Pilsner Urquell Master Bartender of the Year but they will also win a VIP trip for two to New York.
The announcement of the winner was made at an awards ceremony in London where 10 finalists from around the UK celebrated following an intensive day of judging. The judges were Vaclav Berka, Pilsner Urquell's Senior Trade Brewer, Gary Whitlie, Miller Brands' Managing Director, beer writer, Ben McFarland and Alex Jones, last year's winner of the UK competition who now has his own bar in Wrexham.
Also attending the event to talk with the finalists was Erik Jonsson, the current global Pilsner Urquell Master Bartender, who is on secondment with Miller Brands (UK) Ltd in their Trade Marketing Team.
Each finalist was interviewed by the judging panel as well as being tested on Pilsner Urquell's Perfect Pour techniques. The scores from these two elements, combined with the finalists initial online training and mystery shopping scores, were aggregated to identify the winner.
Lucy Jordan, Pilsner Urquell Marketing Manager at Miller Brands UK said: "The level of professionalism of the entries was amazing and the programme itself has been a huge success. We've trained over 2,000 bar staff in the process and over 200 entered the full competition- something that we're extremely proud of. We believe that a training programme is essential to educate bar staff on the vital elements that go into making a great beer and why it is so important to present Pilsner Urquell in such a specific way to delight UK customers.
"When brewing Pilsner Urquell we use only the best ingredients to ensure that our beer is of the highest standard. Quality is essential in everything that we do, so we want to ensure that the same dedication and passion goes into serving Pilsner Urquell as it does into the brewing process. In Danny we believe that passion exists."
Gary Whitlie, Managing Director of Miller Brands UK said: "Like all of our judges, I have been really impressed with the bartenders and I am delighted for Danny. This competition can open up a wide range of opportunities for the entrants. Take Erik and Alex, the International and UK Pilsner Urquell Master Bartenders. Since being crowned, Alex now has his own bar and Erik has had the opportunity to travel from Norway to the UK to come and work with us. Let's hope that Danny will be just as successful in the global competition."
