A Lion in India

32 Bartenders, 200 Bottles of Ciroc, 210 Bottles of Don Julio, 285 Bottles of Blue Label, 210 Bottles of Ketel One & Citrone, 202 Bottles of Tanqueray TEN, 144 Bottles of Zacapa = 1051 Bottles of Diageo Reserve Spirtis, 2496 litres of Mineral Water, 7250 kg of Ice, 7756 Glasses, 408 Oranges, 550 Limes, 1038 Lemons, 5760 Dashes of Bitters, 442 Competition Cocktails ... wohoo - I enjoyed every single DROP!

 

ok, I asked you in the beginning of this "Blog" about your trend ideas --> here. Thanks for all your comments. Many of them were part of our discussion. But I spotted three trends for germany, or maybe the GSA region. So, what do you think?

The Comeback of the Hotel Bar

• In germany we have a strong comeback of Hotel Bars. Hotel Bars used to be very stiff and boring. Now we see more and more Concepts popping up, which become very well know in the city. F.e. Amano, Gekkos, Nhow, George and much more.
• Also, which is very special I think - Hotels in germany start to give the bar to other companies which are successful in the Night Business. Gekkos Bar in Frankfurt and Amano Berlin are just two examples.

Bartenders get know like Chef's and Sommeliers - in the Press

• Writing about alcohol is still kind of banned in germany. Every night I serve journalists and writers in my Bar and every morning I read about cook shows and wine recommendations in the papers. But, very slowly, some media start to report about drinking and enjoying mixed drinks.

Concept, Concept, Concept beyond the Speakeays

• Most of us would agree that their is kind of timeline which shows the evolution of bartending in a country. Colorful fruity drinks and boring Hotel Bars in the beginning, comeback of great classic bars, small, owner run venuez, often speakeasy. But from here on, after a time, you see how new concepts pop up again. Cool Nightclubs, Fun Bars, Tiki Bars, small nice concepts beyond the speak easy. The only difference compared to five years ago: Drinks are now very good in these concepts...

 

 

(all results by the great SPIKE MARCHANT:) 

World Class Winner 2011 -  Manabu Ohtake (大竹 学)
 

 

TOP TEN OVERALL 
1 Manabu Ohtake
2 Heinz Kaiser
3 Jamie MacDonald
4 Thorsten Spuhn
5 Jimmy Barrat
6 Tim Philips
7 Mickey Lee
8 Aymeric Tortereau
9 Ryan Noreiks
10 Mark Huang

 

If you are lloking for the coolest Old Dehli Rikscha guide call Taslim + 91 92 139 82 694 - He is always waiting on his Rikscha at Red Fort and nead your call at least one to two hours in advance. He know them all ... even if he driving style is a little bit rude :)

 

 

So, the most interesting thing to me, was to see the Bar Team of the Imperial Hotel improving their skills in this World Class Week. Diageo changed their live as well I guess. Some people of World Class said they didn't find great Drinks in India - well, they better should have open their Eyes - it was direct in front of them. Fantastic Time at New Dehli --- I will miss Erik's and mine short after 5.00 pm Martinis...