​Bartender’s Battle: Shake Rattle and Roll

As the sun sets on the Cocktail Showdown we soon find ourselves in the eve of the third annual Bartender’s Battle. Eight of Fargo Moorhead’s finest mixologists will be presented with a fully stocked bar with the finest and freshest ingredients. Here they mix, head to head -- tournament style in front of an audience and four judges. Think “Chopped” but live and booze infused.

The eight participants were the highest rated contenders during our cocktail showdown. During the showdown four judges hit the town and were presented a drink and a shot at once a week for nine weeks at three participating locations. They were rated on a scale of 1-10 in three categories: presentation, taste, and creativity. It was essentially a nine week quest to find the best in the bar business and resulted in a friendly competition, in which nearly 30 bars in the area participated.

In previous years The Hub was home to the Bartender’s Battle, this year the battle has been relocated to The Crystal Ballroom at The Ramada. There will be a Vegas theme in 2016 and no detail has gone unnoticed. Patrons can look forward to roulette wheels, craps tables and showgirls ala Blue Belle Burlesque. There will also be an Elvis Presley costume contest.

If you are stuck on what to wear, think Vegas class, sass, and everything in between. Whether you choose to practice your showgirl strut, suit up like Sinatra and the Rat Pack, or dress to impress to hit the strip.

This year’s contenders are Andrew Hardy of Usher’s House, Steve Dahl of the Cork and Cleaver, Kyle Berglund of Rustica Restaurant, Jared Winmill of Rustica Tavern, Alison Buecksler of Dempsey’s, Matthew Lewellen of HoDo Lounge, Elijah Larson of Proof Artisan Distillers, and Anthony Dub from The Green Mill.

Andrew Hardy of Usher’s House

HPR: Can you tell us about your bartending experience?

AH: My Bartending experience, well, I started bartending at O'Leary's in Moorhead. I was actually the kitchen manager there for about 3 years before I started working the door and bar backing. I picked up some random bartending shifts and it took off from there. I worked at the Sidestreet for about 4.5 years and then I took over running Usher's House bar and Front of House.

HPR: Can you tell us your favorite part about the bar industry and what keeps you in the industry?

AH: My favorite part about the industry is just that itself. The industry. The people I meet, the friends I've made and the name I am trying to forge for myself. I stay in this industry because I love it. I have a passion for the knowledge and the care of the drinks. It allows me to be creative and has become my love and art.

HPR: What is your favorite mixology trend?

AH: I don't really honestly know any of the real mixology trends out there right now. Oddly enough maybe, I have found that a trend of mine is hearing what people don't like to drink, and trying to open their eyes to why it's actually a beautiful liquor. I like to make a cocktail based in what people maybe aren't comfortable with, and spin it, so it's not the standard gin and tonic 

HPR: What is your drink of choice?

AH: My drink of choice is an Old Fashioned...but to be fair anything with Rye is going down my gullet without discrimination.

HPR: What is your favorite mixer?

AH: My favorite mixer is probably Ginger Beer. I will say though, I have found more joy lately in just using liquors, minus an actual mixer.

Steve Dahl at Cork N Cleaver

HPR: Can you tell us about your bartending experience?

AH  I've been working behind the Bar for 15yrs. I've worked in high volume bars, to fine dining boutique restaurants.

HPR: Can you tell us your favorite part about the bar industry and what keeps you in the industry?

AH: I love the people, patrons, regulars, and coworkers. The people who sit at my bar, and my coworkers, have become my friends. We are like one very big, very odd, happy family.

What is your favorite mixology trend?

I think infused Gin is my favorite, they can add unique twists to old classics. I also like to see a new generation, enjoying more refined whiskey, single malts and single barrel.

What is your drink of choice?

Depending on my desired outcome... but Captain & Diet, Jack & Coke

Favorite Mixer?

Ice

Kyle Berglund of Rustica Restaurant

Can you tell us about your bartending experience?

2.5 years John Alexander's, Day 1 Rustica

Can you tell us your favorite part about the bar industry and what keeps you in the industry?

The people involved and the relationships you make.

What is your favorite mixology trend?

Smoke

What is your drink of choice?

Currently, Angels Envy Rye

What is your favorite mixer?

Licor 43

Jared Winmill at Rustica Tavern

Can you tell us about your bartending experience?

I have had a little experience bartending before my time with Rustica, and wanted to bartend since a young age. My father is a beer sales rep and I grew up around the industry. I used to hang around kirby's on Saturday mornings with my brother, so it's kind of funny how I now work in the same building.

I’ve only been bartending full time since last april when the tavern opened up. I started at Rustica a couple months after they opened doing a little bit of everything until the tavern opened up. My boss/general manager Mason has helped me hone my bartending craft in a short amount of time.

Can you tell us your favorite part about the industry is and what keeps you in the industry?

It’s all about the people. My customers and especially regulars keep keep me going. Meeting and getting to hang out/craft drinks for some of Fargo-Moorhead’s greatest people keeps me going, and their support helps carry me on.

What is your favorite mixology trend?

I like the general trend of going back to the classics, and putting a thoughtful modern/personal twist on it to make it your own.

Favorite drink?

An old fashioned -- Nice whiskey , orange, bitters and good cherries is just a perfect mix for me.

What is your favorite mixer?

Citrus

Alison Buecksler at Dempsey’s

Can you tell us about your bartending experience?

I started bartending 7 years ago, I worked at a sports bar restaurant and the day I turned 21 they threw me behind the bar. I stuck around for about a year, then moved over to Dempseys. This is where I learned everything I needed to know about bartending.

Learning how to manage and pour in a high volume bar was tricky but now I couldn't imagine working anywhere else. Ive also had some experience working in Sturgis as well, but that's on a whole new level!

Can you tell us your favorite part about the industry is and what keeps you in the industry? 

My favorite part of working in this industry is working with a genuine staff, serving great customers, and the connections you gain. Going to work is different when working in a bar, the staff becomes your family and it’s a place to have fun and be creative.

I would never want to leave a job like this because you meet so many people inside and outside of Fargo, get to build friendships with regulars, and you learn something new everyday. Everybody knows that Fargo is a thirsty town so you know the money will always be there.

What is your favorite mixology trend?

Trends change all too often, I like to stick to seasonal trends. Creative hot drinks in the winter,and sweet refreshing drinks in the summer.

What is your drink of choice?

My go to drink is a Snakebite beer, Cider beer with a Guinness float complimented with a shot of Jameson and pickle back.

What is your favorite mixer?

Jameson it makes everyone and everything better

Matthew Lewellen at HoDo Lounge

Can you tell us about your bartending experience?

I grew up in restaurants in bars, I’ve spent half of my life working in restaurants. I started barbacking in Southern California at an Asian Fusion/Rum Bar. But I gained the bulk of my experience at The Hodo.

Can you tell us your favorite part about the industry is and what keeps you in the industry?

I like to make people happy. I like to see a smile on a guest’s face when they are enjoying themselves. The most precious thing a person has is time and if they choose to spend their time with me… I know I am doing my job right.

What is your favorite mixology trend?

Molecular Mixology

What is your drink of choice?

The Brooklyn

What is your favorite mixer?

Aloe

Anthony Dub at Green Mill