
The 2019 Civil War Bartending Competition series, hosted by the United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) New Haven and Hartford chapters, along with Eder Bros., Inc., and Allan S. Goodman, wrapped up with a Championship Round at Norwalk’s Evarito’s on September 16. The finale saw the top 10 contestants from previous rounds in the North and South designated matches mix off using Pierde Almas Espadin Mezcal. Alexa Doyer of The Essex took the series win with her cocktail, The Harvest Moon. Jamie Oakes of Millwright’s Restaurant and Tavern placed second and third place went to Dan Shekman of Oak Haven Table & Bar.
- The featured spirit, Pierde Almas Mezcal Artesanal, is made by third-generation maestro mezcalero Gregorio Velasco in San Luis del Rio, Oaxaca, Mexico.
- Vincent Rossetti, Craft Portfolio Manager, Eder Bros. with Pierde Almas Mezcal Artesanal, the final featured spirit.
- Third-place winner Dan Shekman; First-place winner and champion Alexa Doyer; and Second-place winner Jamie Oakes.
- First-place winner Alexa Doyer of The Essex.
- Doyer’s winning cocktail, The Harvest Moon.
- Second-place winner Jamie Oakes of Millwright’s Retaurant and Tavern.
- Oakes’ cocktail, J-to-the-Izzo V-to-the E-N.
- Third-place winner Dan Shekman of Oak Haven Table & Bar.
- Shekman’s cocktail, The Patriarch’s Promise.
- Competitor Kory Loga of Bella’Gio.
- Competitor Roger Bob Andy Allen of El Segundo.
- Abe Rojas and James Maleck, Savoy.
- Competitor Ericka Landry of The Olive Bar.
- Cat McAuliffe, Shell & Bones Oyster Bar.
- Jenna-Lyn Geysen of Zohara.
- Competitor Abe Rojas of Savoy.
- Judges and winners: Vincent Rossetti, Craft Portfolio Manager, Eder Bros.; Andrew Dominick, Food Writer and Photographer; Anthony DeSerio, Consultant, Diageo Reserve; Winning Bartender Alexa Doyer; Jamie Oakes; Dan Shekman; and Caitlin Shortelle, On Premise Manager CT, Diageo.
Photos by Andrew Dominick.