Continued celebrations of the Johnson & Wales University (JWU) new Center for Beverage Education & Innovation were capped off on Nov. 18 with a student cocktail competition sponsored by Massachusetts-based Bully Boy Distillers. The competition featured local NBC 10 anchor Mario Hilario as the guest judge alongside Andrew Greenleaf, RI Market Manager, Bully Boy Distillers, a JWU alumni; Liam Maloney, Origin Portfolio Manager, Horizon Beverage Co. of Rhode Island; and Max Mendoza, General Manager, Chilangos. Five teams of JWU students faced off creating their cocktails using Bully Boy American Straight Whiskey, among ingredients. Chris Spielhagen took the top honors for his Boston Stone cocktail. The grand prize included a bar kit from Bully Boy, as well as an invitation to shadow the distillers for a day.
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- Bully Boy American Straight Whiskey was one of the featured spirits used in the competition. The brand is distributed in Rhode Island via Horizon Beverage Co. – Origin division.
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- Students Zoe Zuerner and Celia Kinneary making their cocktail, A Date in Thyme.
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- Student Anya Hart preparing her cocktail, Tea in the Arbor, using Bully Boy Boston Rum.
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- Hart putting the final bitters on her cocktail, Tea in the Arbor.
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- Judge Max Mendoza, General Manager, Chilangos assesses one of the cocktails.
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- Judges Andrew Greenleaf, RI Market Manager, Bully Boy Distillers and Mario Hilario, News Anchor, NBC 10.
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- Student Patrick Stewart prepares his Purple Basil Mash cocktail.
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- Stewart’s cocktail, Purple Basil Mash.
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- Chris Spielhagen pours Bully Boy American Straight Whiskey for his winning The Boston Stone cocktail.
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- Liam Maloney, Origin Portfolio Manager, Horizon Beverage Co. of Rhode Island tasting The Boston Stone cocktail.
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- Andrew Greenleaf congratulating all the students for their hard work and creativity.
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- JWU Professors Michael Sabitoni and Tommy Choice announcing the winners.
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- Cocktail competition winner Chris Spielhagen.
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- Student contestants, judges and professors pose for a photo.
Photo courtesy of Mike Cohea/Johnson & Wales University.
