The Tasting Panel magazine

January 2014

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COMPETITIONS The Five Steps to PHOTO: COURTESY OF HEINEKEN USA THE STAR SERVE CHAMPIONSHIP HIGHLIGHTS BARTENDER SKILL AND HONORS AMSTERDAM TRADITION Heineken Happiness by Timothy Moriarty PHOTO: COURTESY OF HEINEKEN USA T "Star Serve is a draft pouring ritual that is done in Amsterdam," explains Patrick Libonate of HEINEKEN USA. PHOTO: COURTESY OF HEINEKEN USA TP0114_034-65.indd 45 he perfect draft beer. Does it actually exist, or is it a phantom? Heineken believes it's real, and achievable. Last November, Kelly Pigula, a bartender at Hudson Grille in White Plains, NY, became the first champion of the U.S. Heineken Bartender Star Serve Championship. The competition is to train bartenders on, and emphasize the importance of, giving consumers the perfect draft beer. "Star Serve is a draft pouring ritual that is done in Amsterdam, where Heineken is originally from," explains Patrick Libonate, Director of On-Premise and Draught Strategy for HEINEKEN USA. It's more than a show-biz routine, he adds; it enhances flavor. The Heineken Star Serve Ritual consists of five steps: rinse, pour, skim, check and serve. "Skim" is the pivotal step—perfectly shaving the perfect level foam across the top of the glass. "It's kind of like putting a bottle cap on a bottle," says Libonate. "When you cut the head of foam you're protecting the beer from oxygen. There's functional benefit." The win gave Pigula the opportunity to fly to Amsterdam on November 25, courtesy of the U.S. Bartenders Guild, to compete in Heineken's Global Star Serve Championship. "It was magical," said Pigula on winning the competition. "I'm excited to go and represent the U.S. My experience was amazing!" The winner of the international Heineken Global Bartender Finals 2013 was Sander Van Veenendaal of The Netherlands. Complete info on the Heineken Star Serve can be found at www.heineken.com. Kelly Pigula, bartender at Hudson Grille in White Plains, NY pours a perfect draft. 12/19/13 9:27 PM

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