Name: Blair Frodelius

Hometown: Syracuse, NY

Nationality: USA

Birthday: June 27th

Sign: Cancer

Where are you a bartender: Out and about Central New York

Favorite Cocktail: Sazerac

Favorite Beer: Abita Jockamo IPA

Favorite Shot: Jameson’s followed with half a shot of half sour pickle juice

Favorite Bar In The World To Have A Drink: Carousel Bar in New Orleans

Links: www.goodspiritsnews.com

PAMA LIQUEUR ANNOUNCES THE WINNER OF THE BEYOND THE GLASS BARTENDER SEARCH

Milwaukee’s Mathias Simonis Demonstrates the Essential Qualities that Exemplify the Profession – Beyond a Great Cocktail Recipe

BARDSTOWN, KY – PAMA Liqueur, produced by Heaven Hill Distilleries, today announces the winner of its Beyond The Glass Bartender Search. Created in partnership with the U.S. Bartender’s Guild (USBG), Beyond The Glass sought a bartender who exemplifies the qualities that make the profession great – beyond creating delectable drinks. The winner, Mathias Simonis of Distil Bar in Milwaukee, WI, earned the $4,500 Grand Prize.

The online talent search, which ran September 12 through October 31, asked bartenders to nominate themselves by submitting a video through PAMAPros.com to showcase their:

• Personal Style – how they dress, shake, stir and serve
• Garnishing Skills – how they create the powerful finishing touch to a cocktail
• Commitment to their Community – how they contribute to the local bartending profession and how they use their bartending skills for the benefit of good causes.

In addition to showing exceptional garnishing skills and polished style, Simonis demonstrated how he uses his craft and profession for the good of others – through charity work (for breast cancer, leukemia/lymphoma and the Humane Society) and as the president of the Wisconsin chapter of the USBG. “Our profession has been so good to us!” said Simonis in his entry. “Because of this it’s our duty to give back to our peers and colleagues in the industry by working together, and striving to make our profession as respected and professional as it once was, and to also give back to those who aren’t as fortunate.”

In addition to the grand prize, 10 runners-up received their annual dues to the USBG paid for a year.

To view the winning entry and learn more about Simonis and the runners-up, go to www.pamapro.com/beyondtheglass

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Name: Mathias Simonis

Hometown: Milwaukee, WI

Nationality: ’Merican

Birthday: April 12

Sign: Aries

Where are you a bartender: Distil Bar, Milwaukee, WI

How many years bartending: 13

Favorite drink: Bijou

Favorite beer: You can find it in Bin 414…the champagne of beers- Miller High Life

Favorite shot: The one you’re buying

Best bar in the world to have a drink: There are entirely too many to name! But if I had to choose some favorites it would be Employees Only in NYC when I want to have a top notch drink and have a lot of action going on! PDT in NYC is my favorite stop when I want a quiet evening and the whole “cocktail” experience. But my go-to is my favorite hometown bar, Champions Pub!!

Links: www.pamapro.com/beyondtheglass

Name: Steven

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA.

Nationality: English/Polish

Birthday: August 20

Sign: Leo

Where are you a bartender: Room at Twelve, Atlanta, GA.

How many years bartending: 16 years

Favorite drink: Sidecar

Favorite beer: Blue Moon

Favorite shot: Tequila Anjeo chilled

Best bar in the world to have a drink: Any place that focuses on handcrafted cocktails and fresh ingredients

Links: www.thecocktailchefatlanta.com

Name: Nicole

Hometown: Washington D.C.

Nationality: Puerto Rico

Birthday: June 22nd

Sign: Cancer

Where do you bartend: Evolve Restaurant and Lounge and Adams Morgan in Washington D.C.

Years bartending: 6

Favorite drink: Ciroc Coconut Vodka on the rocks or a crispy dry white wine

Favorite beer: Miller Lite and Sunset Wheat

Favorite shot: Jameson Whiskey

Best bar in the world to have a drink: My bar of course!

Name: Luis Garcia

Hometown: Lisbon

Nationality: Portuguese

Birthday: February 11th

Sign: Scorpio

Where Are You a Bartender: Different places in Lisbon

How Many Years Bartending: 10 years behind bars

Favorite Cocktail: Martinez

Favorite Beer: Asahi

Favorite Shot: Tequila

Favorite Bar In The World To Have A Drink: LAB, London

Links: www.cnn.com/20111/Travel