Wazzup Pilipinas!
We are sending our good luck to Raniel Dy, from Draft The Fort; Eduardo Mayani II, of Draft Alabang; and Jordan Bernarte, from Draft Greenbelt—winners of the pioneer Stella Artois Draught Masters Philippines set to conquer Regional Draught Masters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Stella Artois Draught Masters is a competition of both expert bartenders and Stella Artois fans to try their hand at Stella Artois’ time-honoured 9-step pouring ritual. Stella Artois launched the very first Stella Draught Masters Philippines on February 25, at the Draft Gastropub in Greenbelt 2. There were initially eight participants who exhibited their skills during the competition, but only three of them will represent the country.
A send-off party was held on May 13, that's a Friday night ...wow, it's Friday the 13th filled with music, food, Stella Artois beer, and friendly pouring competition among fans and the bartenders, held at Draft The Fort Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. Thank you to Stella Artois, Booze Online and Draft Gastropub for hosting a send off for the three - Raniel, Eduardo and Jordan, who are excited to represent the country in June 2016.
To make the event a lot more interesting, attendees of the party were given a chance to test the skills of the local Draught Masters by personally taking part in the 9-Step ritual. There were elimination rounds where fans must compete with each other in the 9-step pouring ritual. The Stella Artois Draught Masters will judge who between two contestants did well, and the emerging winner will then challenge any of the Draught Masters on the next round. I am proud to say that I was only a few seconds slow as compared to the time of the Draught Master.
But I believe the organizers were just too kind that those who made it up to the second challenge brought home six bottles of Stella Artois beers along with a Chalice, all boxed together beautifully in a neat package. Thank you again to Stella Artois, Draft Gastropub and Booze Online fro another set of beer.
It's not my first time at Draft Gastropub so my expectations were high since I know they have great dishes which were served to us before the program....and of course, the Stella Artois beer made the night truly sensational. Stella Artois beers has been called the "champagne of all beers" because of its sophisticated taste that will satisfy you in every way.
It was way back in 1708 when Sebastian Artois became the head brewer at the Den Horen brewery (the horn symbol on the modern bottle still harkens back to this) in Leuven, Belgium. He then launched a festive pilsner lager beer in 1926 which became available all-year round.
Every beer enthusiast is now turning their attention to the idea of perfectly and properly poured beer, as there is such a thing called a classic 9-Step pouring ritual involving a Chalice that will create the perfect drinking experience for beer drinkers.
Who would have thought that even beer pouring could involve an artistic and scientific process to get the most perfect chalice of beer.
“This is a time-honored, nine-step ritual that hopes to give Stella Artois fans around the world the same experience they would get if they enjoyed a pint in Belgium. Backed by hundreds of years of brewing experience, there’s only one way to pour a Chalice of Stella Artois,” explains, Mr. Raj Sadwhani, President and CEO of Booze Online Inc., Stella Artois' official and exclusive distributor.
What is the 9-Step ritual?
1. The Purification
This is where the Chalice is cleaned and rinsed with cold water which allows the glass to reach the same tempature as the beer and ensures the lacing when the beer is drunk.
2. The Sacrifice
You open the tap in a single swift motion to let the first drop flow away before placing the Chalice with the logo facing forward under the tap at 45 degrees.
3. The Liquid Alchemy
You now hold the Chalice by the stem at 45 degree angle without the nozzle tap touching the Chalice.
4. The Head
This is where you position the Chalice with the logo facing forward to the top whilst straightening the chalice gradually without touching the Chalice with the tap nozzle,
5. The Removal
When the Chalice is almost filled with beer, you need to ensure that the beer is overflowing slightly over the Chalice and in the same movement smoothly remove the Chalice from under the tap without touching the Chalice.
6. The Beheading
This is where the beer is allowed to overflow slightly and a head cutter is used to smooth the foamy brim at 45 degrees and close the tap in one smooth movement.
7. The Judgement
You have to ensure that there is a perfect amount of foam in the Chalice, no more than two fingers, the beer has to be in correct proportion of beer and foam.
8. The Cleansing
See to it that the bottom and sides of the Chalice are cleaned by moving the Chalice in water using a circular motion and getting of the excess water using a white towel, before it is finally presented to the drinker.
9. The Bestowal
With the Stella Artois drip catcher on the stem of the Chalice with the logo, place a clean coaster with the logo facing outward.
It’s a tradition that highlights the skill and craftmanship of the masters, and reinforces the brand’s efforts to give everyone a chance to experinece the heritage behind each bottle of Stella Artois.
Thank you to Raymon Chester Cabrera of Booze Online for the opportunity to witness the sendoff party and again, good luck to the three Stella Artois Draught Masters Philippines participants. I'm sure this trio would bring back home another recognition for the country.
What is the 9-Step ritual?
1. The Purification
This is where the Chalice is cleaned and rinsed with cold water which allows the glass to reach the same tempature as the beer and ensures the lacing when the beer is drunk.
2. The Sacrifice
You open the tap in a single swift motion to let the first drop flow away before placing the Chalice with the logo facing forward under the tap at 45 degrees.
3. The Liquid Alchemy
You now hold the Chalice by the stem at 45 degree angle without the nozzle tap touching the Chalice.
4. The Head
This is where you position the Chalice with the logo facing forward to the top whilst straightening the chalice gradually without touching the Chalice with the tap nozzle,
5. The Removal
When the Chalice is almost filled with beer, you need to ensure that the beer is overflowing slightly over the Chalice and in the same movement smoothly remove the Chalice from under the tap without touching the Chalice.
6. The Beheading
This is where the beer is allowed to overflow slightly and a head cutter is used to smooth the foamy brim at 45 degrees and close the tap in one smooth movement.
7. The Judgement
You have to ensure that there is a perfect amount of foam in the Chalice, no more than two fingers, the beer has to be in correct proportion of beer and foam.
8. The Cleansing
See to it that the bottom and sides of the Chalice are cleaned by moving the Chalice in water using a circular motion and getting of the excess water using a white towel, before it is finally presented to the drinker.
9. The Bestowal
With the Stella Artois drip catcher on the stem of the Chalice with the logo, place a clean coaster with the logo facing outward.
"This is our way of searching and honoring the perfect craftsmanship among men and women who are very talented in giving a perfect twist to the traditional way of serving our beers and we are honored to have the opportunity to introduce the importance of this pouring ritual here,” shares Philip Tan, Area Manager - Anheuser-Busch InBev, the company behind the global beer brand Stella Artois.
It’s a tradition that highlights the skill and craftmanship of the masters, and reinforces the brand’s efforts to give everyone a chance to experinece the heritage behind each bottle of Stella Artois.
Thank you to Raymon Chester Cabrera of Booze Online for the opportunity to witness the sendoff party and again, good luck to the three Stella Artois Draught Masters Philippines participants. I'm sure this trio would bring back home another recognition for the country.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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