BARTENDER OF THE YEAR RECAP

Nick Ware - Lower Lounge Alabama’s 2021 Bartender of the Year

Bartender Nick Ware of the Lower Lounge in Montgomery has been crowned Alabama’s 2021 Bartender of the Year. The annual competition is held in conjunction with the Stars of the Industry Awards presented by the Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association and Old Forester.

Regional competitions were held across the state during the month of October. The top finalists from Auburn, Birmingham, Huntsville, and Mobile were invited to compete at the state final.

On November 8, the regional winners competed for the title, coveted trophy and a $1,500 grand prize at the Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook.

Competitors were judged on taste, accuracy, showmanship, crowd interaction, and speed. “The cocktail I created for this competition, I feel, represents the flavor palate and the rich history of Montgomery, Alabama. I started with a classic Manhattan cocktail as a base and focused on highlighting the nuances and subtleties of the 1910 Old Fine Whiskey expression from Old Forester’s Whiskey Row Series. My reason for choosing this specific whiskey was the importance of the year 1910 in Montgomery’s history. 1910 was the year that the Wright Brothers, Orville and Wilbur, opened the nation’s first commercial flight school on the land that is now home to Maxwell Air Force Base,” said Nick Ware.

The annual competition is sponsored by Old Forester, United-Johnson Brothers of Alabama, and Sculpture Hospitality.

Host: Westin Hotel Huntsville 1st Place: Kati Wilson Lee - Church Street Purveyor 2nd Place: Joshua Nunn - The Poppy & Parliament 3rd Place: Brent Kennamer - All Shook Up Bar & Beverage Catering

Host: The Hotel at Auburn University 1st Place: Nick Ware - Lower Lounge 2nd Place: Kayla Treat - Vintage Year 3rd Place: Jentry Chestnut - Avondale Bar & Taproom

Host: The Lumbar 1st Place: Carla Irene - Helen 2nd Place: Quinton Chandler - Evelyns Southern Fare 3rd Place: Sarah Watson - Session

Host: The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa 1st Place: Amy Eady - Fly Bar 2nd Place: Jessie McKinney - Sunset Pointe 3rd Place: Katie Ryan Dorgan - Squid Ink Eats