Jack Robertiello

Following the recent election, four USBG members are confirmed as your new USBG National Council and are now fully engaged in their newly elected positions.

Adam Slavik talks about the Bartenders’ Travelling Book. Whiskey-aged Negroni is on the menu at Temple Bar and Russell House Tavern. Seattle searches for the best Mai Tai maker. The New USBG National Council is announced.

Junior Merino designed a line for Dainzu Gourmet Beverages while Charlotte Voisey designed drinks at the Living Room Bar & Terrace. Kathy Casey is the “Ask an Expert” mixologist for Food Network Canada. Lynette Moreno at Peels in Manhattan and more.

San Francisco bartenders like nothing better than to celebrate the city with a cocktail in hand, and they do so annually during San Francisco Cocktail Week, this year held from Sept. 21-27.

Albert Trummer launches Theater Bar in TriBeCa. In Portland, Ore., Castagna’s David Cooper is infusing the cocktail list with its own seasonal story. Tony Gemignani is opening Tony’s Coal-Fired Pizza & Slice House in San Francisco.

The Shake it Up! prize money increases to $25,000 for 2011. The Bols Around the World and Domaine de Canton's Bartender of the Year competitions launch. Plus, Belvedere Vodka is looking for a $100,000 Global Brand Ambassador.

The deadline for the annual Vinos de Jerez competition in Jerez, Spain, in which bartenders serve a drink involving sherry from his/her bar’s menu is next week, so we caught upwith U.S. Sherry Ambassador Andy Seymour.

I’m currently knee-deep in scoring sheets and palate-weary from the 2010 Spirits of Mexico competition, just wrapped up last week. I’m impressed by the number, range and quality that were entered this year.

gaz regan may hold bar classes in New York City, focusing on bar philosophy, intuitive mixology and being a bartender, and the Fourth Annual San Francisco Cocktail Week Celebration will be Sept. 20 - 27.

A number of rare, limited or pricy products are worth mentioning at this time: Parker's Heritage Collection's new release, Redbreast 15 Year Old, Citadelle Gin Reserve Vintage and Courvoisier 12.