October 30, 2009 – Now in its 13th year, the annual Stella Artois® World Draught Master competition epitomizes Stella Artois®’ dedication to delivering superior beer experiences the world over. On Thursday Oct. 29, this year’s competition saw contestants from 26 countries across the globe converge in New York to compete for the coveted title and complete the brand’s time-honored 9-step pouring ritual of perfection.
After a tense semi-final round, which saw the contestants and three competition winner wildcard entries whittled down to a final 10, an enthusiastic audience of Stella Artois® connoisseurs joined the discerning Jury panel to select only those who could demonstrate true passion and dedication to perfection in pouring in a dramatic “Passion test.” A tense head-to-head pouring finale followed, before Avril Maxwell was announced the winner and returned to the stage to claim the coveted title. Maxwell, hailing from New Zealand now begins a global journey to more than 20 different countries across the globe as an ambassador for Stella Artois® and her own quest to ensure every chalice of Stella Artois® is preciously poured and perfectly served the world over.
Maxwell was awarded a unique trophy created by New York fashion designer Tim Hamilton as part of a pioneering design collaboration with Stella Artois®, successfully bringing to life his signature style and dedication to quality and craftsmanship within an entirely new design medium. Hamilton, who introduced his apparel line at the event, also created a limited-edition iconic Stella Artois® Chalice glass in celebration of World Draught Master 2009.
Alexander Lambrecht, Global Marketing manager for Stella Artois®, comments: “The World Draught Master competition is integral to our ongoing quest to deliver superior beer experiences the world over, ensuring that Stella Artois® is served with the same care, consideration and craftsmanship as has gone into more than 600 years of brewing. We are extremely proud to welcome not only finalists from around the globe to compete in New York, but also Stella Artois® connoisseurs and pioneering partners, such as Tim Hamilton, who share our ongoing quest for perfection.”
Runners up in the competition were Joe Oppedisano of Canada (2nd) and Alexey Shtukarev of Russia (3rd). Remaining contestants came from: Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Brazil,China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Dubai, Finland, France, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, Montenegro, Paraguay, Serbia, Singapore, UK, Ukraine and the United States.
In addition, the Stella Artois Online Fans’ Choice went to Oppedisano who was selected by consumers watching the competition streamed live to their computers.
Lambrecht added, “We wanted to create a global conversation about the Stella Artois World Draught Master competition by inviting people into the event via live streaming and providing an opportunity for them to decide on what competitor embodied perfection. “
After Year-long Global Search, Maxwell Begins Mission of Passion to Teach Bartenders the World Over the Art of the Perfect Pour
The Gleaner
I got a press release, datelined Chicago, from Bob Skilnik, a publisher who was announcing his candidacy to be the new U.S. “Beer Nutrition Czar.”
He points out that the Obama administration is “about to appoint as many czars as a 24-pack of beer,” and thinks he’d be a perfect addition.
“Look, I understand that one more czar in Washington would only add to the notion that there would be more czars in D.C. than you might have found at a turn-of-the-century Romanoff wedding. I’d therefore be willing instead to be a ‘Roving Beer Nutrition Czar,’ visiting bar after bar — something my wife would attest that I’m quite adroit at — to get the word out on the positive attributes of America’s favorite adult beverage.”
What the heck, give him the job.
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Nothing hits close to home–or close to the stomach–quite like a rip-snorting argument over Chicago food and how we eat it. So RedEye decided to dig in to a few great food debates…
…For this debate RedEye turned to Chicago beer expert Bob Skilnik, author of “Beer: A History of Brewing in Chicago.” Old Style became the beer darling of Chicago in the 1970s, thanks to quality problems at Schlitz and an Anheuser-Busch bottlers strike, Skilnik said.
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NEW STUDY: Illinois Video Gaming Estimates Vastly Understated; More Reason to Drop Alcohol Tax Hike
For Immediate Release – 7/9/2009
Contact: Public Affairs
Telephone: 202-682-8840
Hospitality Industry Points to New Study as Reason to Drop Alcohol Tax Hike
SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois State Legislature’s $375 million revenue estimate from a new tax on video gaming is at least $165 million too low, according to a new study of other states with legalized video gaming machines. Citing this new data, Illinois’ hospitality industry again called on Governor Quinn to veto the proposed alcohol tax hike, saying that the legislature’s under-accounted for windfall would more than cover any alcohol tax gains.
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In an epidemiological study of men and post-menopausal women primarily over 60 years of age, scientists at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (USDA HNRCA) at Tufts University found that BMD was significantly lower in men drinking more than two servings of liquor per day.
The results suggest that regular moderate consumption of beer or wine may have protective effects on bone, but that heavy drinking may contribute to bone loss.
“Previous research suggests that moderate alcohol consumption in older men and post-menopausal women may protect against BMD loss, a major risk factor for osteoporosis,” said Katherine L. Tucker, PhD, corresponding author and director of the Dietary Assessment and Epidemiology Research Program at the USDA HNRCA. “Our study also looks at the possible effects of the three alcohol classes, beer, wine and liquor on BMD,” Tucker continued. “We saw stronger associations between higher BMD and beer drinkers, who were mostly men, and wine drinkers, who were mostly women, compared to liquor drinkers,” the expert added.
The study has been published online February 25 by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
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