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The Tapsters, Imbibe Live’s new competition designed to find the best beer and cider team throughout the UK, makes its debut this year, alongside the return of the show’s annual beer competition, this year devoted to IPA.
Imbibe Live’s beer ambassador, Mitch Adams, of Borough Wines & Beers, said: “Wine and cocktails often take centre stage on bar menus, but now we’re hoping bragging rights for the best bartenders is extended to beer buffs.”
The winners will win an all-expenses-paid trip to Rock, in Cornwall, home of Sharp’s Brewery. As well as £500 spending money, winners will go behind the scenes with head brewer, Andrew Madden (pictured), experience an exclusive food and beer matching dinner with Sharp’s beer sommelier, Ed Hughes, and take a speed boat ride over the infamous Doom Bar.
Organised in partnership with the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, teams from pubs, bars, restaurants and groups are invited to enter by June 1.
Mitch said: “I hope we get a good cross-section from tap rooms to boozers and gastropubs to fine dining restaurants.”
Following an initial evaluation, round one will take place at education partner The Beer & Cider Academy, with an afternoon of training followed by a series of tasks to see which two teams will make it to the final on centre stage at Imbibe Live.
With a quick-fire University Challenge-style quiz focusing on general beer and cider knowledge, storing and serving, other rounds will test food matching, fault analysis, and perfect pour credentials.
Imbibe’s educator of the year, beer sommelier Annabel Smith, will be MC, while award-winning writer Pete Brown, The Ciderologist, Gabe Cook, and Sharp’s Ed Hughes will be on the expert panel.
Annabel said: “The new-found interest in beer among consumers means the hospitality industry has to step up to the plate with well-educated, well-informed and engaged teams. This competition will set the bar for beer sellers in the future.”
IPA challenge
Meanwhile, Imbibe Live’s beer competition returns for its third year, this time embracing that most popular of styles, the IPA.
Breweries of Britain are invited to enter IPAs which have been released — or which are due for release — in 2017, in can or bottle.
SIBA will, once again, be Imbibe Live’s partner on the IPA Challenge. The association’s Neil Walker said: “I’ll be looking for big aromatics and flavour from the beers entered by SIBA’s independent craft-brewing members, some of the most exciting breweries in the UK.”
Chair of judges, Mark Dorber, said: “IPAs are the pinnacle of the pale ale tradition because they are packed with hop flavour and character. What other drinks category is experiencing such a surge of interest?”
Following a first round of judging at host partner Fuller’s Brewery, in Chiswick, five finalists will be invited to share their beers and pitch for the audience vote at Imbibe Live.
The winner will secure a seasonal listing at a selection of Mitchells and Butlers’ top pubs, as well as the chance to feature on There’s A Beer For That’s Beer Match and Explorer digital directories. All finalists will be able to share their beers in the popular Hop & Apple Bar during Imbibe Live.
