The Tapsters, the nation’s liveliest competition to find the best beer and cider team in the land, is back! With the final due to take place centre stage on 1 July at Imbibe Live, entries are invited from all to bid for a chance to win a trip to the historic Stiegl brewery in Salzburg, Austria.
Speaking about the competition, beer sommelier and MC for the final, Annabel Smith said: “Tapsters is now in its third year, and the skill and knowledge of the previous entrants has raised the bar considerably. We’re looking for the best bar teams in the UK, the ones who can confidently recommend a beer or a cider for any person and any occasion. The Tapster final is a high octane mix of quick fire questions, blind tasting and all round general knowledge of the beer and cider category – only the best will succeed!”
Run in conjunction with UKHospitality, Nicholson’s, and Euroboozer/Stiegl, the competition demonstrates the importance of training and champions professionals from across the country that not only know their beers and ciders but understand how to best look after them, serve and sell them.
“A quality pint of cask ale, craft beer or cider is something not to be taken for granted,” said Ross Timms of host sponsor, Nicholson’s. “Support offered to the hospitality sector to help execute this is vitally important in keeping our teams knowledgeable and our guests coming back through our doors for years to come.”
Teams of four from pubs, bars and restaurants can now submit their entries ahead of the deadline on Wednesday, 29 May for a chance to be crowned 2019 Tapster winners. Pubcos and restaurant groups are free to enter more than one team, but finalists from the 2017 and 2018 competitions are not eligible to enter.
The victors will win an all-expenses paid trip to the historic Stiegl brewery in Salzberg, Austria. Here they will enjoy a behind-the-scenes brewery tour, guided beer tasting in the owner’s private and extensive barrel ageing cellar, an exclusive beer tasting dinner and much more. This renowned brewery, dating back 500 years, is among the pioneers of the Slow Brewing movement, where care and attention relates to every element, from ingredients through to the crew crafting the final brews.
Speaking about the prize, Martyn Railton, founder of Euroboozer, said: “Stiegl is a phenomenal place to see and one we at Euroboozer are so proud to show off. Bar and floor staff are vital to us getting the special Stiegl message across, and so we look forward to enabling the winners to experience Stiegl in what will certainly be a trip to remember.”
Entries will be assessed by an expert panel with four teams chosen to proceed to the semi-final, due to take place on 19 June at Doggett’s Coat and Badge in London. Successful entrants will undergo a day of high-level training led by Smith and the Ciderologist Gabe Cook.
Two teams will proceed to the live final, where the audience join an expert panel, led by Chair of the British Guild of Beer Writers, Pete Brown, in casting their votes. A quick-fire University Challenge-style quiz will test the finalists’ knowledge, while a series of practical tests will offer participants a chance to show off their skills.
“The sector is home to some of the most hardworking, skilful and knowledgeable employees in the UK,” said Kate Nicholls, CEO, UKHospitality. “They are dedicated and passionate about their craft, as evidenced by The Tapsters. I never fail to be impressed by not only the level of insight and skill on show from the finalists, but also the obvious enthusiasm they have for their work. The competition is a great advert for the UK’s hospitality sector, and I encourage businesses to get involved and test their skills against their peers.”
Cook added: “The 2019 Tapsters competition will be the biggest and best yet, I am certain. Consumers increasingly demand that bar staff are super knowledgeable on their beers and ciders, and Tapsters is the ultimate test of that!”
For more information on how to enter this year’s Tapsters competition, please visit https://live.imbibe.com/visit/the-tapsters/ or contact Susanna Forbes, competition manager on 07811 913971 or susanna@drinkbritain.com.
ENDS
About Imbibe Live: Imbibe Live enters its tenth year in 2019 as the annual exhibition for anyone who sources, buys or serves drinks in the licensed on-trade. It takes place on 1 and 2 July at Olympia London, and almost all the stands are already booked. This year’s beer and cider programme includes the likes of Brooklyn brewmaster Garrett Oliver and Tom Oliver, of Oliver’s Cider & Perry.
Launched in March 2007, Imbibe magazine rapidly became the UK’s leading publication for on-trade drinks professionals working in premium UK establishments. Imbibe is an ABC-audited magazine with 20,000 drinks buyers and servers in the UK receiving the quarterly magazine. Copies are available upon request.
For further information or high res imagery, please contact the press office on 020 7240 2444, or email lmbibelive@stormcom.co.uk.
About UK Hospitality: UKHospitality is the trade body representing the UK’s hospitality sector. UKHospitality represents over 700 companies, encompassing 65,000 venues in a sector that employs 2.9 million people. https://ukhospitality.org.uk
About Nicholson’s: Nicholson’s are a collection of traditional British pubs based in the UK spanning 77 locations across key cities, from London to Edinburgh and Belfast to Brighton. Founded in 1873 by William Nicholson, the brand has a rich history which lives and breathes in each of its pub buildings, the drinks served and the people that work there. Its extensive range of traditional cask ales, craft beers, lager and cider is curated to perfectly complement its hearty pub food. Resident Cask Masters in each pub are always on hand to ensure the highest quality, both in the cellar and on our bars. https://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/
About Stiegl: Stiegl has a fine brewing heritage dating back over 525 years, combining history with state of the art brewing technologies, using alpine spring water and the finest Austrian ingredients to make the tasty beer that so many in the UK’s hospitality industry have come to love. Euroboozer has been Stiegl’s UK custodian for over 13 years and has always recognised the value of aspects like training, education, knowledge, POS, trips and other areas of support. https://www.stiegl.at/en
The Prize: The victors will win an all-expenses paid trip to the historic Stiegl brewery in Salzberg, Austria where they will enjoy a behind-the-scenes brewery tour, guided beer tasting in the owner’s private and extensive barrel ageing cellar, a visit to the new Stiegl Museum, exclusive beer tasting dinner and much more. With a rich history, the chosen team will have the chance to find out how this renowned brewery, dating back 500 years, is among the pioneers of the Slow Brewing movement, where care and attention relates to every element, from ingredients through to the crew crafting the final brews.