'Battle of the Bartenders' events part of Albany arts fest

The official festival poster

If you're the sort of consumer who likes to root for your favorite bartenders to excel, there are two upcoming "Battle of the Bartenders" events that may interest. Both are part of the expansive Albany Chefs' Food & Wine Festival that has become arguably the Capital Region's premier such event.

 On Friday, January 13, from 5 to 7 p.m., six local bartenders will compete in a Manhattan cocktail challenge using bourbon from event sponsor Woodford Reserve to create three unique cocktails to be reviewed by the judges.

On Saturday, January 14, six local bartenders will compete in a Bloody Mary Manhattan cocktail challenge using Stoli Vodka, an event sponsor, to craft three  unique cocktails to be reviewed by the judges.

In both instances, the bartender with the highest percentage of fan votes will earn 30 additional points for his or her total score.

Among competitors announced so far: for the Bloody Mary, Emannuel Treski of Speakeasy 518, Evan O'Brien of Next Level at The Ruck, and Larz Davi of Campagna; for the Manhattan, The Ruck's O'Brien, Justin Secor-Rubenstein of Wellington’s, and Mackenzie Zajac of Café Madison.

The venue for all these events is the Hilton Albany, 40 Lodge Street just off the State Street hill downtown. Ticket information for the full schedule of events of the January 12-14 event are available online.

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