Chilled 100 Spirits Awards Judge Austin Foster Shares Thoughts on Spirits Awards Today

South Dakota bartender Austin Foster has worked behind the bar for over fifteen years. We are honored to host Austin as one of the Chilled 100 Spirits Awards Judges this year.

 

 

Austin Foster is an IT geek turned cocktail slinger, who has been working in and around the beverage industry for 15+ years. During this time, he has had the opportunity to work with some of the most influential beverage professionals and participate in some of the industry’s most respected educational programs and spirit events. With a strong focus on education and community, he spends a good portion of his time volunteering for charity events and sharing as much spirit knowledge as possible with as many that will listen. His expertise includes rum, expert in Irish, Scotch, and American whiskies, Pisco, and Agave Spirits. He is WSET (Level 3 Spirits), EWA Grants Scotch Whisky Diploma, Canadian Whiskey Certified, American Whiskey/Moonshine University Certified, Rum and Agave Certified, Proficient in Brandies.

The Chilled 100 Spirits Awards Deadline has been extended to May 31st. Enter HERE

We asked Austin why brands should enter The Chilled 100 Spirits Awards:

 

 

Why are Spirits Awards useful to bartenders?

Knowing that the spirit has been evaluated by experts in the industry helps narrow the focus when selecting from the vast amount in the market today. As a trusted source of information, it also helps bartenders potentially select spirits that otherwise may not be in use in an area.

 

What are the benefits to spirits brands that enter?

A brand’s ability to get their product in front of experts in the industry to be evaluated blindly is critical because the playing field is level. The benefits range from having unbiased feedback on where the product stands amongst others to greater exposure of the product to the industry at large.

 

What should other bartenders know about the Bartender Seal of Approval?

With the Bartender Seal of Approval, bartenders can have confidence that a peer in the industry has evaluated the spirit for use behind the bar.

 

What should spirit brands know about the Bartender Seal of Approval?

For brands awarded the Bartender Seal of Approval, they can with confidence going into on premise locations with a seal backed by industry experts.