Danny Walker has won the title of Pilsner Urquell International Master Bartender of the Year, during a highly-competitive, three-day final in Prague, Czech Republic, the homeland of Pilsner Urquell. After winning the title of UK Master Bartender in September, Danny who works in The Square in Bristol claimed victory against a formidable group of finalists from fifteen other countries.
The 2008 competition, in its third year, has seen an increased level of participation from bartenders across the globe, with countries as diverse as South Africa, Spain, Finland and Belarus contributing to a record total of 2,600 participants. Danny was awarded the coveted title at a lavish ceremony in the breathtaking surroundings of Prague Castle.
The final stage of the competition saw Danny and his fellow finalists sit a written exam and face an interview in front of a panel of beer experts in the heart of the brewery in Pilsen. They were even tasked with demonstrating their pouring skills in front of an enthusiastic public on Prague’s Old Town Square.
Danny has been working in the hospitality industry for 9 years and his competitive nature has seen him competing in numerous local, national and international bartender competitions. He takes considerable pride in serving Pilsner Urquell to his customers.
Danny could not contain his excitement at being crowned the winner: “I want to thank everyone at Pilsner Urquell for this amazing title. It’s been a great experience over the last three days and I honestly feel that all the bartenders here are worthy winners.”
Second and third place went to two Scandinavian bartenders. Alexander French from Denmark and Alexander Backman from Sweden gave sterling performances demonstrating in-depth knowledge of the brewing techniques that are unique to Pilsner Urquell and masterfully displaying the art of the perfect pour.
Nick Miller, Managing Director of Miller Brands UK said; “Fantastic. We’re all really pleased for Danny – he’s a great guy and just what we are looking for as an ambassador for Pilsner Urquell. He was up against some really tough competition, but his professionalism and work ethic really shone through. When Danny was awarded the title of UK Master Bartender of the Year we expected great things from him and so to be crowned as International Master Bartender is just tremendous.”
Vinod Giri, International Brand Director for Pilsner Urquell, said: “It’s been an amazing few days in Prague. The event has grown over the years to be an inspirational celebration of the best that bartenders have to offer. The 2008 programme has enjoyed fantastic displays of excellence from around the world and I’m delighted to congratulate Danny Walker on winning the international title. The standard goes up each year and our bartenders continue to be an inspiration to us all.”
-ENDS-
For further information:
Emma Currin
Leisure PR & Communications
(M) 07753 838 490
Email: emmacurrin@leisurepr.co.uk
Notes to editors:
The Pilsner Urquell Master Bartender Programme
The Master Bartender programme was launched on the back of research commissioned by Miller Brands to understand the current levels of bartending and training needs. Only 6% of bartenders asked said that they had received training from a beer brand, compared to 49% from other drinks brands (spirits and wine). Of those beer training sessions, all had been about storage and service, not about the way the beer was brewed and why they taste the way they do.
Pilsner Urquell
Pilsner Urquell is the world’s first, clear golden beer, created in 1842. Pilsner Urquell means ‘pilsner from the original source’. It is the flagship brand of SABMiller’s international brand portfolio and is the company’s premier contender in the premium status segment of the market.
Named after the town in which it was created, the beer came to define a whole category (Pilsners) and set the standard for all lagers. At the brewery in Pilsen, Pilsner Urquell is still brewed to its original recipe (unchanged for over 165 years) using the parallel brewing process to ensure that the taste of the beer stays true. By brewing a sample batch of the beer in the traditional way, using original-style equipment, the beer can then be compared to that which is made using modern equipment to make sure the beers match perfectly – no other brewer in the world does this.
Using the finest ingredients: Saaz hops, malt and Pilsen water, Pilsner Urquell is an intensely hoppy beer with a crisp body, and a balance of subtle sweetness with velvety bitterness or more information on Pilsner Urquell, please visit www.pilsnerurquell.com
Miller Brands
Miller Brands was launched in 2005 and is a subsidiary of SABMiller, one of the world's largest brewers. Miller Brands have assumed responsibility for the development of all SABMiller’s international premium brands across the UK; these include Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Pilsner Urquell and Miller Genuine Draft. Through its consistent pricing and distribution discipline, supplemented by engaging marketing activities, Miller Brands is bringing value back into the beer category. Sales are currently growing in excess of 30% year on year in a declining market and this is increasingly recognized and referenced by retailers.