Cheers Features

Steele Platt opened the first Yard House restaurant in Long Beach, CA, in late 1996. He sold the beer-centric concept—now a 42-unit chain–to Darden Restaurants last year for $585 million. Platt, who will deliver the keynote address at the Cheers Beverage Conference in Dallas on Feb 12, talks with Cheers about his early days in the business, the Yard House story and what makes a restaurant successful.

With its bold mix of power, politics and deal-making, symbolic domes and mighty façades of government, Washington, D.C., grabs national attention every four years when elections roll around. But now that elections are over, let the spotlight linger. Not on statues of statesmen, but on the city’s neighborhoods and places DC insiders know—on the not-so-well-kept secret that Washington (you know how secrets go in this city) has become one of the best destination bar towns in the country. 

Cheers Beverage Conference News

Ahh, Dallas – home of some of the biggest names in F&B, and some of the hottest talent behind the bar. Cheers Beverage Conference 2013 will feature some of The Big D’s finest Bar Stars, along with our Celebrity Mixologists whose reputations are known worldwide.

The star-studded excitement begins on Tuesday, February 12, when renowned Celebrity Mixologists take on the “Mad Men” genre, mixing the classics and their own creative concoctions with panache, personality and poise. This stellar lineup includes:

• Tony Abou-Ganim, The Modern Mixologist
• Kathy Casey, Owner, Kathy Casey Food Studios® – Liquid Kitchen™
• Dale DeGroff, Author and Mixologist, Beverage Alcohol Resource
• Brian Zachau, Managing Partner, LiquidMotion 
• Tad Carducci, Co-founder, Tippling Bros.
 
Then on Wednesday, February 13, Dallas’ Bar Stars will sweep you off your feet at the Cheers “I Love Dallas” Reception, where passionate potables take the stage and our stars from the city’s hottest spots compete in cocktail innovation with a Valentine’s theme. Enjoy the absolutely lovable libations of:
• Michael Martensen, The Cedar Social
• Brian McCullough, The Standard Pour
• Jason Kosmos, The 86 Co.
• Charlie Papaceno, The Windmill
• Featured Mixologist: Adam Seger, Sommelier/Mixologist, iPic Entertainment; Creator, HUM Botanical Spirit, Truffe Amere by Rare Botanical Bitters Company and BarKeep Swedish Herb Bitters
 
There’s so much to love at Cheers – the program, speakers, round robins, Craft Showcase and more. Check out the full agenda and get all the details and register today at CheersConference.com. Don’t forget to reserve your room at the Crown Plaza Downtown Dallas. We’ll see you in Dallas!

 

Cheers Drink Recipes

1 oz. Vanilla vodka

½ oz. Frangelico

½ oz. Buttershots

½ oz. Kahlua

½ oz. Half and half

 

Add ingredients to a shaker with ice. Drizzle chocolate syrup into a martini glass, making a design. Place one cherry at the bottom of the glass and one cherry, with a slice in it, on the rim of the glass. Shake very well, strain and serve.

 

This drink was created by Dez, the mixologist at the Double Hitch Ranch outside Albany, NY.

Cheers Breaking News

Moet Hennessy USA and Marnier-Lapostolle Inc. have announced that Moet Hennessy USA will continue to be the U.S. distributor for Marnier-Lapostolle Inc.’s Grand Marnier liqueur. This extends a long-standing agreement and reinforces the partnership between the two companies.

The spirits industry has long marched to the voice of the consumer, but now it’s starting to heed the bartending elite.

The craft beer revolution kept charging ahead in 2012, when 12% more barrels were shipped than the year before.

Inside the rather risky business of making ice wine.

Cheers Product Watch

Independent Distillers USA recently released two flavored Bourbons, Killer Bee (Bourbon and honey) and Hot Licks (Bourbon and cinnamon). Killer Bee is a combination of Woodstock Kentucky Bourbon and is warm and smoothing, according to the company. Hot Licks is wet, stiff and spicy, also according to the company.

Monterey County’s Blair Estate recently released its first wine, a 2010 Pinot Noir. The wine is available through the company’s website, as well as in on- and off-premise locations. The company is also available at a new tasting room in Carmel-By-The-Sea, opened by Blair Estate and Shale Canyon Winery. The new wine is available for a suggested retail price of $35 per bottle.

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