The newly formed Indian American Package Store Association of Connecticut (IAPSACT) hosted a cricket tournament and social event for its members and trade guests at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Club in East Hartford on Aug. 28. The IAPSACT was created by a group of Connecticut package store retailers, with the goal of providing “a united voice,” networking, social engagement, advocacy and resource sharing for package store owners of Indian descent, who make up an estimated 60% of the 1,200 permittees in the state. The networking and fundraising event was also a showcase of beer, spirits and ready-to-drink beverages from a variety of supporting suppliers and distributors. The friendly tournament was enjoyed among eight teams on a knockout basis, with Team Long Drink, led by Nish Patel, Owner, Metro Wine & Spirits, named the day’s winner. Numerous wholesalers, suppliers and brands sponsored the event.
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- Newly formed Indian American Package Store Association of Connecticut (IAPSACT) members and event guests gathered at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Club in East Hartford on Aug. 28.
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- IAPSACT members enjoyed a day of cricket matches on Aug. 28.
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- Jen Walsh, Brendan Casey, Joey D’Ambrosca and Kevin Mahon, CDI showcasing High Noon Hard Seltzers.
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- All IAPSACT Board Members: Nish Patel, Metro Wine & Spirits; Abhin Sheth, Spokesperson, Advisory Committee; and Pradyuman Patel, Owner, Rebimbas Wine & Liquor.
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- Sales Representative Matt Cantwell, SoNo 1420 American Craft Distillers, with Le Lemon Vodka, Blaze Cinnamon Flavored Whiskey, 1420 Rye, 1420 BBN and Vo Vodka among spirits.
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- Shanice Stribling showcasing On The Rocks Cocktails in Espresso Martini, Manhattan and Cosmopolitan among them.
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- Laura Roberts showcasing Crown Royal Whisky Lemonade and Pam Sima highlighting Cîroc Pineapple Passion Vodka Spritz.
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- Barbara Leiva highlighting Ketel One Botanicals Vodka Spritz and Ruth Cutrone showcasing Tanqueray London Dry Gin & Tonic.
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- Greg Radawich and Keenan Pilon, New England Brewing Co.
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- Sarah Sercia, On-Premise Portfolio Specialist, St. Killian Importing highlighting 123 Organic Tequila Blanco and Max Cummings, Craft Beer Guild Distributing of CT showcasing Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc and Carlsberg Danish Pilsner.
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- Brand Ambassador Jessica Strickland, ’Merican Mule Craft Cocktails and ’Merican Mule Light.
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- Jared Neubig, Fishers Island Lemonade.
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- Sydney Capezzone and Channa Comer, The Finnish Long Drink.
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- John Doyle and Tom Manley, New Park Brewing.
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- Ben Kriskey, Narragansett Beer highlighting Narragansett Fest Märzen Lager and Gourd Reaper Pumpkin Ale.
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- Kaitlyn Hamby showcasing Brody’s Crafted Cocktails in Minted Mule, French 75, Air Mail, Black Orchid and Touch of Grey.
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- Fran Bustamante, Creek Water 100 Proof American Whiskey.
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- Dylan Spevacek, Drink Mechanics; Sarah Sercia, St. Killian Importing with Granja Nomada Mezcal; and Aaron Stepka, Owner, Drink Mechanics. The mezcal is an ingredient in the Connecticut-based canned cocktail line’s Christopher Oaxacan.
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- Rocio Zuniga and Andres Farfan, Partáy highlighting Partáy Craft Cocktails in Prickly Pineapple Margarita, Grapefruit Paloma, Key Lime Margarita and Passionfruit Margarita flavors.
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- Colin Johnston and John Raymos, Truly Hard Seltzer highlighting Truly Tropical Pineapple and Classic Lime Margarita Hard Seltzer.
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- Robert Nuzzello, RIPE Bar Juice, showcasing Margarita, Passionfruit and a range of flavors from its Connecticut-produced 100% natural, cold-pressed bar juices.
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- Shailesh Moody, Biz Supplies; Maulik Vyas, Tilted Bottles; Vincent Melita, MD&S Distributors; and Pradyuman Patel, Rembibas Wine & Liquor, showcasing Root Out Whiskey, Esser Wines and Wylder’s.
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- Winning Team Long Drink: Mehul Shah, Owner, Cromwell Square Liquors; Abhin Sheth, Northeast Beverage and Spokesperson, Advisory Committee, IAPSACT; Nish Patel, Owner, Metro Wine & Spirits and Board Member, Working Committee, IAPSACT; Steve Slota, Retail Division Manager, Connecticut Distributors Inc.; Girish Patel, Valley Discount Wine & Liquor and Director, Executive Committee, IAPSACT; and Hitesh Patel, Madison Wine Exchange and Board Member, Working Committee, IAPSACT.
Photos by Michael Leung.
