NZ Top Eight Bartenders Go Head-To-Head for Shot at Victory

New Zealand’s Top Eight Bartenders Go Head-To-Head for Shot at Victory

Auckland, 20 September 2012 - Beam Inc. (NYSE: BEAM) a leading global premium spirits company has announced the finalists in the biggest bartender competition in New Zealand history - Beam Bar Legend.

From the record 370 bartenders who entered, eight talented contestants have made it through to the final, which will take place over two days on the 7th and 8th of October in Auckland.

In no particular order, the finalists are Adam Neal – Agent’s & Merchants/Racket (Auckland), Jack Sotiriou – 1885 (Auckland), Michael Meharg – Nineteen Eighty One (Auckland), Nicola Heal – Diva’s (Havelock North), Jonny Mackenzie – Cuckoo Cocktail Emporium (Wellington), Chase Bickerton – The Naughty Penguin (Queenstown), Genevieve Dunne – The Cadillac Club (Queenstown) and Jamie Hughes – Toast (Dunedin).

Beam (NZ) Marketing Director, Rene Bros, is looking forward to the grand final event after a busy few weeks of judging in Auckland, Wellington and Queenstown.

“It has been an exceptionally difficult task selecting only eight grand finalists from 30 of the country’s best bartenders.” he said.

“In the end, we selected those that stood out as having the total package – great drinks making ability, personality and charisma all of which could make them worthy of claiming the inaugural Beam Bar Legend title,” he added.

To claim their grand finals spot, bartenders participated in filmed interviews with Beam Brand Ambassador, Calem Chadwick. Each bartender was asked a number of questions that aimed to give Beam (NZ) a full insight to their experience, portfolio knowledge and personality. In addition, the 30 semi-finalists were challenged to create their interpretation of the ultimate Jim Beam and Cola using one of the Jim Beam branded bourbons.

The top eight will participate in the grand final where they will complete a series of tasks in their bid to be crowned New Zealand’s inaugural Beam Bar Legend. The winner will walk away with a prize pack valued at over $25,000.

This includes an all expenses paid trip to a Beam distillery of their choice (Kentucky, Canada, the Caribbean, France, Scotland), an expense card valued at up to $10,000 and a $5,000 party for their bar.

The grand finalists will have an all expenses paid trip to Auckland to compete for the prize pack, valued over $25,000.

There will be three judges for the grand final plus some guest judges for particular components of the final competition. The judging panel will be confirmed closer to the date of the grand final.

The expense card will be credited with $200 every week for 52 weeks.

The grand final will be held in Auckland at Studio, 340 Karangahape Road on Monday 8th October from 6pm onwards. The grand final is an invite only event. Please let your media contacts know if you are interested in attending the event.

A video teaser for the finals can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVlnBMwbAr0&feature=youtu.be

About Beam Inc.
As one of the world’s leading premium spirits companies, Beam Inc. is Crafting the Spirits that Stir the World. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including Jim Beam Bourbon, Maker's Mark Bourbon, Sauza Tequila, Pinnacle Vodka, Canadian Club Whisky, Courvoisier Cognac, Teacher's Scotch Whisky, Cruzan Rum, Hornitos Tequila, Knob Creek Bourbon, Laphroaig Scotch Whisky, Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey, EFFEN Vodka, Pucker Flavored Vodka, Larios Gin, Whisky DYC, DeKuyper Cordials, and Skinnygirl Cocktails. Beam is focused on delivering superior performance with its unique combination of scale with agility and a strategy of Creating Famous Brands, Building Winning Markets and Fueling Our Growth. Beam and its 3,200 passionate associates worldwide generated 2011 sales of $2.8 billion, volume of 34 million 9-liter cases and some of the industry’s fastest growing innovations. Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, Beam is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BEAM and is included in the S&P 500 Index and the MSCI World Index. For more information on Beam, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamglobal.com and www.drinksmart.com

ENDS

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