That being said… there’s a re-design a-comin’ shortly.

“But you’ve barely even used this version?!? You’ve still got incomplete posts!” – You’re right… Frankly, I sometimes have a difficult time putting my thoughts into words (not speaking though… if you’ve ever met me, you know I don’t really shutup. ). That being said… the re-design is going to help put video content front and center. Something I do fancy doing, and plan to do much more of. Second, I am going to be bringing on two to three more dedicated bloggers (and some less-regulars too) to help keep the written side of things fresh and up to date, and really expand the “communal” aspect of the site, which I feel is extremely important. Third, forums. From the day I started this site, I intended to launch with forums… However it was more important to get something up and out there immediately.

So the re-design is primarily going to consist of a re-organization of content, and will also signify the active shift to bringing others on board, and other ventures (which I cannot currently talk about).

Oh, and as for those incomplete posts… keep your eyes open… They might show up quicker than you’d think.

Salud!
- Brandon

However, if you missed the event… you can still view it online. The live-video stream has been archived here: http://www.gkcbc.com/2009video

And if you want see interviews with judges Dave Wondrich and Ryan Maybee, pay a visit to one of the finalists, or learn more about the craft behind their cocktails… check out the videos available here: http://www.youtube.com/sip2drink

Short update, but things have been quite busy! Cheers!

-S2D

We’ve all met the finalists (http://www.gkcbc.com/finalists), and the first round of judges (GKCBC 2009: Introducing the Judges (part1 of 2))… But what about the rest of the group?

It’s my pleasure to introduce two very distinguished palates, with enough history to write at least a book or two (seriously… check out their books. they’re really good). as well as a man with one heckuva voice and personality…

Introducing… the remaining judges… Guest Judge, Mr. David Wondrich; Head Judge, Mr. Doug Frost, and our illustrious Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Paul Craig!

In reverse order:

Paul Craig is a seasoned EmCee, currently working with Theatre Tech Productions, but having experience as on-air talent for multiple radio stations, as well as announcing local fights. He describes himself as, “Professional Entertainer- Actor, Ring Announcer, Stiltwalker, Fireeater, Voice-Over Artist, Stunt Go-Kart Driver, BOOKING AGENT”. I’m personally most intrigued by the Fireeating side of things… but probably not something you’ll be seeing at this competition. With a voice that can fill most any room (even without a microphone) and an extremely professional attitude, we’re very thrilled to see Paul on board for this year’s competition.

Doug Frost… Doug Frost… gosh.. what can I say nice about Doug? Almost everything. Doug is a punk-rocker at heart, with an insatiable palette and a ton of accreditations. He is one of only three people in the world to be both a Master Sommelier and Master of Wine. I’ve heard his daily tasting regimen is just as intense as his awards. Seriously… we are talking about one of the most impeccable palettes in the world… AND… he’s one of the coolest guys you’ll ever meet (assuming you love geeking out over drink culture). Doug has been the head judge of the competition, and one of the co-founders since its inception. But this isn’t his first foray into beverage competition / education… from his bio, “As a founding partner of a new spirits and cocktail educational organization, BAR(Beverage Alcohol Resource), Frost has created a fantastic resource with his partners: Dale DeGroff, Steve Olson, Paul Pacult and David Wondrich. BAR opened for business in June 2006; Cheers Magazine selected BAR and its founders as Innovators of the Year for 2007. Frost was awarded Beverage Innovator of the Year 2009 by Cheers Magazine. He consults with many retailers, restaurateurs, wineries and distillers in the realms of marketing, merchandising, sales, education and sensory perception. Mr. Frost lives with his wife and two children in Kansas City, where he spends his spare time listening to his massive punk rock, vintage jazz and weird music collection.” We’re more than thrilled Doug’s on board, and can’t begin to say how priceless he is to the competition.

Dave Wondrich. Man, mystery, walking encyclopedia, celebrity. This guy’s got it all. As Esquire Magazine’s resident Cocktail historian, author of multiple books including the indispensible “Imbibe!”, and being one of the biggest cocktail geeks I’ve met, Dave’s involvement in this year’s competition is unreal. As a founding partner of BAR (with Doug Frost), and cocktail historian, Dave is constantly out there aiming to move cocktail culture forward while providing insight and wisdom from its history. Oh… and he’s appeared on the Colbert Report:

Dave’s participation in this competition is amazing. He is a heavy-hitter with history backing him up, and has definitely made the rounds regarding cocktail culture.

— POST COMPETITION WRAP-UP —
We’re more than thrilled to have been a part of the 2009 GKCBC… and there are some AMAZING things in store for 2010’s competition. Congratulations to the winners, and all the finalists who participated. It was a pleasure getting to meet & visit with each of you, and look forward to what’s to come in 2010!

So here we are, just two weeks away from the 3rd Annual Greater Kansas City Bartending Competition…

The recipes have been submitted, finalists have been announced, and now we just have to wait to see who will be deemed the champion… But who will be responsible for determining the fate of these 11 daring mixologists?

Let’s get things started in this first installment, by introducing the first three of our five judges: Katie Van Luchene, Jenny Vergara, and Ryan Maybee…

Katie Van Luchene

Photo by Gary Rohman

A Kansas City native, and passionate one at that… Katie is an award winning author, executive editor of KC Magazine, and no doubt one of this city’s most beloved and respected evangelists.

From her bio on the GKCBC website,

Katie Van Luchene says one of her first sensory memories involves spirits. ‘I remember the sound of adult laughter around my Aunt Dorothy’s downstairs bar, Christmas tunes on the stereo, the aroma of turkey and rolls, the taste of a whiskey macerated cherry from my dad’s Manhattan and the pale green color of Mom’s Grasshopper. I’ll always equate a good cocktail with those times.’

Now, as executive editor of KC Magazine, Katie imbibes in well-crafted drinks at local establishments and calls it her journalistic duty. The magazine features articles on wine and spirits written by guest columnists, including Ryan Maybee, and one of its most hotly contested ‘Annual City’s Best’ awards is for top bartender.

Aside from her regular duties at KC Magazine, Katie has also found the time to put together the Insiders’ Guide to Kansas City (now in its fourth edition!) This irreplaceable guide details many hard to find locales as well as makes readers aware of some lesser-known gems within the city. It was named “Winner of the Mark Twain Award for ‘Best Guidebook of the Year’” from the Midwest Travel Writers Association, and has been of great help to yours truly in hunting down some priceless experiences and tasty libations!

Needless to say, Katie has had her fair share of cocktails from a number of different bartenders and establishments around the KC area… She’ll make for quite a skillful judge!

Jenny Vergara

Jenny Vergara - The Making of a Foodie

Jenny Vergara’s got one heckuva set of tastebuds… not to mention she also happens to write for Tastebud Magazine! Columnist for their popular “Table Hopping” piece, as well as successful food blogger as “The Making of a Foodie”, Jenny has definitely established her presence in the culinary world.

However, if that weren’t enough… “she is the force and Founder behind the Test Kitchen, Kansas City’s Underground Supperclub. Test Kitchen is a secret dining society where local chefs and members come together for one-night only culinary events.” Underground Supperclub?!? Secret Dining Society?!?!? How fantastic is that?!

Test Kitchen events are once in a lifetime experience. No really… they’re never the same twice. Typically not for the faint-of-foodie-heart either. Summarized from the Test Kitchen website,

The Test Kitchen is a playground for up and coming Chefs to demonstrate their mad skills … a place for seasoned Chefs to test new menu items or push new culinary boundaries and show-off new techniques … will exist as long as there are curious Chefs who want to experiment with new methods, equipment, ingredients, cuisines and dishes … is not recommended for picky eaters, people with eating disorders, people with serious food allergies or anyone claiming to be vegetarian when they really are only picky eaters in disguise.

Jenny has had the opportunity to dine with some phenomenal chefs, in some very extraordinary settings, with some even stranger pairings, and still lives (and loves) to write about it. A well-defined palate with a penchant for the extraordinary to say the least!

Ryan Maybee

B.A.R. Certified 'Bar Ready' Mixologist - Ryan Maybee

Of course we can’t leave out Mr. Ryan Maybee. Ryan is one of the founders of the Greater Kansas City Bartending Competition, a die-hard local, and one hell of a bartender himself.

Ryan’s accomplishments include being one of the first graduates of the “BAR Ready” level of B.A.R. (Beverage Alcohol Resource – Think “Wine Sommelier” but for Mixology), and currently working towards his Masters of Mixology. This course is extremely intensive, and not only tests your knowledge of classic and modern cocktails, but your knowledge of spirits, the trade itself, history, as well as your efficiency, and hospitality as a bartender. Because what good are you if you can’t keep a guest happy.

He is also a Certified Specialist of Wine and owner/proprietor of Kansas City’s “Manifesto”, a speakeasy styled club serving Gourmet Cocktails. He is also a founder of the recently formed Kansas City Bartenders’ Alliance, a small group of passionate, quality-focused, career-driven bartenders that have teamed up to promote the use of quality ingredients and spirits, as well as proper techniques and furthering education. The KCBA holds monthly meetings at various local bars featuring spirits tastings, guest speakers, and cocktail demonstrations, as well as provides bartenders a forum to interact with distributors, industry professionals, and one another.

Alongside all that… he owns and operates RoundTable KC… a consulting firm specializing in wine, spirits, restaurant and bar operation, staff training, and product development. It’s one heck of an amazing feat he’s able to find the time to put this competition together! Ryan’s professionalism, and level experience will definitely make him a very adept judge.

But that’s not all! Stay tuned… as coming up we’ll be featuring Mr. Doug Frost, our emcee, and our guest judge, Mr. David Wondrich, as well as video interviews with Dave Wondrich, Hendrick’s Brand Ambassador Jim Ryan, and our grand prize winner Arturo A. Vera-Felicie.

So what’s better than making some delicious cocktails for some wonderful guests? How about making cocktails for some local and national culinary celebrities, helping out a great charitable organization, AND potentially winning $1000!

If that sounds like a good deal to you… then perhaps the Greater Kansas City Bartending Competition is in order!

From the Facebook event:

“The 2009 Greater Kansas City Bartending Competition will be held at The Uptown Theater on Sunday, November 22nd at 6pm. Kansas City’s best bartenders will put their skills to the test for celebrity judges Doug Frost, Dave Wondrich, Katie Van Luchene, and Jenny Vergara. We’ve made some changes to the competition this year to get the audience more involved and liven up the competition. Our emcee will be famed artist and owner of Grinder’s, Stretch Rumaner.

The ticket price for this year’s event has been lowered to only $5!!!!! We really want to bring in a large crowd to witness one of the most unique competitions in Kansas City that’s now getting national attention!

As in past years, 100% of the ticket sales will go to benefit the HALO Foundation, a local charity that works with the art community to help feed and clothe children in orphanages around the world. There will be a silent auction featuring many of Kansas City’s best artists.

The bartenders competing for the Grand Prize of $1000 and national publicity, will be required to create their own original cocktail as well as showcase a knowledge level and skill level with regards to classic cocktails. Think “Iron Chef” but for the bar.

This event is fast becoming a Kansas City classic, so support the local arts and restaurant community by cheering on the best bartenders in KC!

Cheers!”

So what is it that makes this so awesome? (outside of the grand prize of course) For those of you who haven’t heard the name “Dave Wondrich”… time to get your googlin’ fingers ready! Dave’s a VERY well-known cocktail expert, the resident cocktail historian for Esquire magazine, author of many books including the infamous “Imbibe!”, and very recently appeared on The Colbert Report… (see embedded video)

But that’s not all! Doug Frost, Jenny Vergara, Katie Van Luchene, and Ryan Maybee are also equally formidable judges…

Doug, along with Mr. Wondrich, helped to start B.A.R. or Beverage Alcohol Resource… Think “Wine Sommelier” but for Mixology! Doug himself is both a Master Sommelier as well as a Master of Wine, one of only three people in the world to earn both these distinctions! He is also an author and has written about wine, beer, and spirits for multiple publications… including (but not limited to) the New York Times, San Francisco Chrnoicle, Sante Magazine, and the Kansas City Star. Possibly one of the most well-defined palates in the world!

Then of course there is the lovely Jenny Vergara (aka… Makingofafoodie)… She is the founder of Kansas City’s first “Underground Supper Club” known as “The Test Kitchen“. She is also a columnist for Tastebud Magazine, and authors the very popular “The Making of a Foodie” blog… Jenny’s got a fantastic personality, and one hell of a palate to boot!

Katie Van Luchene has joined the ranks as one of the judges. Katie is the editor of KC Magazine, and at times it seems there are multiple “Katies” running around Kansas City, as she seems to make an appearance at every charitable event, gala, and big party in town.

Last, but certainly not least… Mr Ryan Maybee rounds out the judging table… Ryan is one of the first graduates of the “BAR Ready” level of B.A.R., and is currently working towards his Masters of Mixology. He is also a Certified Specialist of Wine and owner/proprietor of Kansas City’s “Manifesto”, a speakeasy styled club serving Gourmet Cocktails. Alongside all that… he owns and operates RoundTable KC… a consulting firm specializing in wine, spirits, restaurant and bar operation, staff training, and product development.

The sponsors for this year’s competition include: Hendrick’s Gin, Mountain Valley Spring Water, Chopin Vodka, Grand Marnier, 10 Cane Rum, RoundTable Marketing & Consulting and Tastebud Magazine.

Click here to download the official PDF / Entry Form: For more about the competition, including Rules, Regulations, Prizes, and How to Enter!

Brandon is the founder of From Sip to Drink, a self-proclaimed “drink enthusiast”, bartender, and media producer. He currently resides in the Kansas City metro area.

For those who may not know… Today, September 29, 2009 is officially National Coffee Day.

All across the country, different organizations have been rallying together to stir up, or rather brew up, some form of celebratory goodness for National Coffee Day; participating locations offering everything from a free cup of coffee (some McDonald’s), to others releasing a new line of instant coffees (“VIA” from Starbucks).

And while not everyone may appreciate coffee at an “aficionado” level, it can’t be denied that its presence in our society has become ubiquitous across the entire nation. Who can’t recall the jingles so often burned into our brains: “The best part of waking up…” or remember Juan Valdez, the brandsake of Columbian Coffee; or hasn’t seen a Starbucks in a bookstore, on a streetcorner, on television, in a magazine, in an airport, etc etc etc…

For some, it may be the only thing (or at least the main one) getting you up and around in the morning. For others, it’s a sacred ritual waiting for every last drip to brew. Coffee can definitely be an artform… and baristas / growers / roasters therefore become the artists.

And although the day is nearing its end, I finally find myself able to sit down and celebrate. Because it’s never too late to enjoy a good cup of java.

I’ve traversed my way to “The Roasterie Cafe” in Brookside; a small neighborhood cafe near the Kansas City metro area brewing up locally roasted coffee from the larger “The Roasterie” Label. So what is it that makes this particular spot, and this particular cup of coffee special?

The Roasterie has “The Clover”.

While this technology isn’t necessarily “new” by any means, and since its launch has been picked up by Starbucks, The Roasterie has one of only a few machines (that I am aware of) around the nation. Even Starbucks only has it in a select few locations. So what makes this machine so special? I could go into detail describing the process by which it works, albeit awkwardly (I recommend Googling it if you’re interested), but I think I could sum it up by saying it brews a tasty and very “nuanced” cup of coffee.

The end result retains much of the delicate notes you would otherwise lose in the traditional brewing process… and it does so by brewing one cup at a time, to specific settings that the barista has preset for that specific cup / roast / blend.

I opted to enjoy a cup of “Coorpol of Brazil”. This is a Light/Vienna Roast with a nice lush and buttery body, with some delicate spice, floral, and dark cherry notes (there’s a savory buttery-ness that shines through once the temp drops too!). The nose is very subdued but has a nice bouquet; more of a tease of what’s to come. If I were to compare it to a wine, which I’m sure seems sacrilegious to some (hey, I don’t deny I’m still a novice w/coffee), I’d say it has the nose and essence of a chardonnay, married with the mouthfeel of a light pinot noir, and the lushness of a ripe shiraz on the palette. It was quite tasty, down to the very last cool sip.

Oh… and if you’re ever by The Roasterie… I can’t help but recommend their pastry selections… I’ve never been disappointed: Quiche, Cookies, Muffins, Breads, and today: strawberry cupcake

So here’s to coffee! From the first sip, down to the last drop, it was a tasty tasty drink!

Happy National Coffee Day!

Brandon is the founder of From Sip to Drink, and a self-proclaimed “drink enthusiast”. He currently resides in the Kansas City metro area.

Mr. Mark Starr, a Kansas City local, is producing some short videos in his basement, reviewing and sharing his personal beer collection…

He’s got some hard to find and very tasty craft brews lined up… and while they haven’t perfected taste-o-vision for the computer (seriously… is someone working on this? I’d totally pay for it), we can at least live vicariously through Mark.

Sit back, relax, and take a peek at what Mark’s brewing up!

The Grand Ole Hopry Session 1 (Three Floyds Alpha King)
Brewery: Three Floyds
Beer: Alpha King
Style: American Pale Ale (APA)
Location: Munster, IN
ABV: 6%
Rating: 93/100

The Grand Ole Hopry Session 2 (Founders Breakfast Stout)
Brewery: Founders
Beer: Breakfast Stout
Style: Oatmeal/Imperial Stout
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
ABV: 8.3%
Rating: 97/100

The Grand Ole Hopry Session 3 (Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron)
Brewery: Dogfish Head
Beer: Palo Santo Marron
Style: American Strong Ale
Location: Milton, DE
ABV: 12%
Rating: 96/100

** UPDATE ** I can’t keep up w/this guy! Mark’s posted another new video… (seriously… that’s 4 videos in ~6 days!) And this one’s like a double-feature… 2 for 1… Keep em coming Mark!

The Grand Ole Hopry Session 4 (Tripel Karmeliet) [Hopslam Bonus]
Brewery: Brouwerij Bosteels
Beer: Tripel Karmeliet
Style: Abbey Tripel
Location: Buggenhout, Belgium
ABV: 8.4%
Rating: 95/100

Please take some time to peruse the site… We’re just getting started, but there’s plenty to come!

We aim to document “Liquid Culture” in and around our communities.

If you would like to become a contributor, or have suggestions for more information. Please, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are community driven and depend upon you!

If you have any questions, or want to know more about what we’re working on, please check out our About page!

Or in this case… a speakeasy styled cocktail lounge located in downtown Kansas City, MO.

One of their signature cocktails, the “Smokin’ Choke” features applewood & peachwood smoke-infused Four Roses Yellow Label bourbon… Care to partake? Here are a couple videos with Ryan, the owner, demonstrating his methods for both smoking the bourbon, as well as making the cocktail. Salud!

(If the videos are taking too long to load, unclick the “HD” option in the player)

What’s it all mean?!?
We’ll be posting contributor videos, blogs, photos, and more. This also means that it only works “with a little help from my friends”. So if you would like to become a contributor contact us at content [at] fromsiptodrink [dot] com

So what happens if no one else contributes?
Well… then I suppose this will become my own personal drink forum.

So who are you, and why did you make this website?
I’m a bartender & all around drink enthusiast w/a degree in media production living in Kansas City.

Okay… I guess that makes sense… So what kinds of things will I find on this site?
Videos showcasing new techniques / experiments, interviews with local bartenders, brewers, baristas, etc… Highlights on new spirits / products coming into market. Photos from events as well as brief information about them. Anything and everything drink related that I and everyone I know can come up with.