Spiced rum maker Sailor Jerry proclaimed Mon., Dec. 8 National Bartender Appreciation Day. To celebrate the occasion, the tattoo lifestyle and liquor brand held an event San Diego that involved a pig roast at the Paradise Point resort with national brand ambassadors Paul Monahan and Daniel “Gravy” Thomas. It also included a “Pins and Pinups” bowling tournament with teams of bartenders nationwide.
Sailor Jerry, which is owned by William Grant, has been leading up to the event for months by throwing bartender parties at bowling alleys around the country. The friendly tournaments held in 26 cities featured Sailor Jerry cocktails and prizes, as well as a chance to be contenders for the big competition and a shot at the grand prize of an all-expenses trip to Hawaii.
Prizes, bragging rights and cool bowling shirts notwithstanding, the gathering is truly about appreciating the bartenders, Thomas says. “There’s no lecture, no product tasting, no bartending competition—it’s just about having fun,” says Thomas, who, like Monahan, sported a Sailor Jerry onesie during the tournament. The evening also included a free concert by the country-punk rock band Lucero.
Still, the bowling competition at Mira Mesa Lanes was fierce on Dec. 8, but the winning team of Gerardo Leyva, Ivan Leyva and Andres Munoz (pictured above with two Sailor Jerry pinups) had an advantage over the others: They are bartenders at Gage Bowl in Huntington Park, CA. The three will head off to Honolulu where the itinerary includes a visit to Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins’s original tattoo shop, surfing lessons on Waikiki Beach and plenty of rum cocktails.
Here’s one of the cocktails served at the event.
Sailor Jerry Hellfire
1 1/2 oz. Sailor Jerry rum
1/2 oz. Lime juice
Pilsner beer
3 dashes of tabasco sauce
Shake Sailor Jerry with lime and hot sauce, and strain into a beer glass full of ice. Top with beer and squeeze and drop a lime wedge garnish. You can also top with ½ desired beer and ½ ginger beer for an extra kick.