Unionville’s Taprock Beer Bar & Refuge, in collaboration with Campari America, hosted a bartending competition highlighting Espolòn Tequila, Campari Milano and Aperol on Oct. 12. During The Big Payback Bartending Competition, hosted by event organizers Khalid Williams of Taprock and Rachel Markoja of Little River Restoratives, area bartenders created cocktails in teams using the featured spirits and ingredients showcasing Campari brands, including Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon Whiskey, Appleton Estate Signature Jamaica Rum, Espolòn Blanco Tequila, Campari, Aperol, Averna Amaro, Cynar and Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur. The competition was unique in that all contestants received a cash prize upon entry, part of Campari America’s community efforts to help the trade impacted by reduction in wages or job access during the COVID-19 pandemic. All competitors also received Campari merchandise as prizes. “It was called ‘The Big Payback’ as a way to pay homage to all of the hard-working bartenders and bringing us together for the first time after a very tough year for the industry,” said Markoja.