Beam kicks off New Zealand's largest bartender competition

Beam kicks off New Zealand's largest bartender competition

Auckland, New Zealand, 20 August 2013 - Beam Inc. (NYSE: BEAM), a leading global premium spirits company, has today announced the 24 semi-finalists of the country's largest ever bartender competition - The 2013 Beam Bar Legend.

More than 480 bartenders from across New Zealand entered a competition where they were given six weeks to answer a short bartending questionnaire on the Beam Bar Legend website. Every entrant that answered the questionnaire moved one step closer to being crowned Beam Bar Legend 2013 and also winning a $25,000 prize pack.

“It was incredibly difficult to narrow the entrants down to a top 24,” says Calem Chadwick, Beam New Zealand Brand Ambassador.

“The depth of talent out there is really amazing. What makes this competition so special is that it's open to anyone around the country. This means we're not just seeing the skills you'd expect from the major centres - some of our most exciting talent is coming from smaller areas such as Napier and Timaru.”

The semi finals will be held in three regions - Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch - where participants will be required to undertake a “Pig N' Punch” challenge.

Each semi finalist will be given $300 to make a punch bowl for 200 people, which will be served with a pig on a spit.

“This might sound simple, but it's actually a truly challenging task, especially given the partnering food. They'll have to be conscious of diner's palates and produce a strong match,” adds Chadwick.

“Each of the 24 semi-finalists is extremely talented and now it will be up to our judges and the public to pick two contestants from each region to go through to the grand final in October.”

Participants involved in the “Pig N Punch” challenge will have two opportunities to be sent through to the next round - either via the four mystery judges or as winner of the People's Choice Award.

Beam Bar Legend gives bartenders across the nation an incredible opportunity to show off not only their skills behind the bar, but also their industry knowledge.

The $25,000 prize pack includes an all expenses paid international trip to a Beam brand distillery of their choice, an expense card valued at up to $10,000 ($200 per week) and a $5,000 staff party for their bar.

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