Imbibe Live 2012 – show preview
We preview the annual exhibition for on-trade specific drinks to be held at Olympia on 3 to 4 July
Imbibe Live is an annual exhibition for anyone who sources, buys or serves drinks and other related products within the licensed on-trade and is keen to improve their offering and knowledge.
The exhibition focuses on the entire world of on-trade specific drinks - from wines, beers and spirits to cocktails, soft drinks, mixers, tea, coffee, waters and other associated products.
Imbibe Live 2011 welcomed more than 7,000 top on-trade buyers, managers, owners and key pourers from around the UK. Visitors were introduced to 1,000-plus drinks brands and attended more than 40 different tastings, demonstrations and seminars.
This year on 3 and 4 July at a new venue, Olympia, visitors will have the opportunity to visit a dynamic exhibition, full of inspirational ideas, networking opportunities and a tasting and education programme.
To check out the full programme, visit www.imbibe.com/live
1. JAMAICA RUM
Preview Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum showcases Appleton Estate 50-Year-Old Jamaica Independence Reserve. The limited edition golden rum will be released in August 2012 to mark 50 years of Jamaican independence. Encased in a hand-crafted crystal decanter, only 800 bottles will be released, making each £3,500 bottle a special addition to any drink connoisseur's collection.
2. ORANGE MUSCAT
Preview Not a red, white or rosé, but an orange. A refreshing twist on what you expect from a warm-weather wine with flavours of nectarine and tangerine, a honeyed finish and a hint of spice. Slightly sweet, it may be enjoyed with savoury meals or desserts.
3. STRONG LAGER
Preview An unfiltered strong lager at 6.5% abv. The tropical fruit aroma greets you with a creamy, smooth mouth-feel and an almost honey-like character before the biscuity, chewy malt backbone coats your palate with a smooth richness.
The finish is elegant and dry, leaving you yearning for more. The lager has an eight-week brewing time with ingredients of barley, yeast, hops and water.
4. COURVOISIER XO
Preview Courvoisier is showcasing its full range including Courvoisier XO. This expression is a very old blend of fine and well-matured cognacs from the exclusive Grande Champagne cru, along with selected aged spirit from the Petite Champagne and distinguished Borderies crus. The perfect balance of intense flavours has been patiently evolved and nurtured for at least two decades.
5. IMPORT STOUT
Preview The number one stout in Sri Lanka with an 85% market share. This genuine import is brewed to 7.5% abv using the finest ingredients and is the only beer brand to be endorsed by the Beer Hunter, Michael Jackson. A great accompaniment to spicy food, Lion has won numerous gold medals at Monde Selection.
6. SPIRIT BRANDS
Preview Co-founders of CASK Liquid Marketing, Richard Herbert and Stuart Ekins, are set to launch a new range of privately owned spirit brands under the company name of Cremorne 1859. The first of these, Colonel Fox's London Dry Gin, was made available this month. Made from a classic London Dry recipe, Colonel Fox's uses six botanicals, including juniper, with a sweet back note of liquorice. The whole process of maceration, distillation, and bottling takes place in London, and the gin is produced in batches of 1,000 bottles.
IN THE ZONES
Liquid Profits Ideas on how to develop your business and tips on the best routes to market. Advice on how to move your business forward and make more money through wet sales.
Taste Zone An eclectic selection of wines, beers and spirits with guidance through flights of rare and unusual drinks. Food and wine matching with experts on hand to advise on pairings and combinations.
Wine World Discover great classics and vibrant new offerings, alongside a programme of educational tastings.
Access to the 2012 Sommelier Wine Awards winners' wines available exclusively to the on-trade and voted for by the UK's top sommeliers.
Shake It! What's hot in bartending right now and for 2012. Try the latest mixology techniques or learn how to mix old classics. Leading industry experts will be available to show you how to implement new ideas into a working bar environment.
Centre Stage Competition finals, demonstrations, tastings, talks and more including the final of Imbibe's Bartenders vs Sommeliers Challenge.
Register for your free ticket atwww.imbibe.com/rsvpor call 0844 412 7948
CALENDAR
TUESDAY 3 JULY
Wine WorldRaiders of the Lost Vine A focus on the gems the Old World has to offer, from Greek Assyrtiko to dark sherries. Presented by Peter McCombie MW.
Liquid ProfitsHow To Keep Your Customers Happy A unique insider track on customer satisfaction surveys with Steven Pike, founder of one of the UK's mystery dining companies.
Training ZoneMolecular Mixology with Shaker BarSchools This one-hour session is a snippet of the day-long course designed for those wishing to explore cutting edge drink preparation.
WEDNESDAY 4 JULY
Taste ZoneVersatile Vodka Expect a luxurious take on vodka food matching with oysters, caviar and much more. Presented by Belvedere's Claire Smith.
Shake It!Old Skool with Peter Dorelli and Salvatore Calabrese The industry legends speak on the golden rules of bartending and how to bring a touch of Savoy-style magic to your establishment.
Wine WorldExtreme Sommelier Competition Looking for the Bear Grylls of the on-trade, our intrepid sommeliers show off their sabrage skills and power-pouring.
Training ZoneVisitors to take away qualifications A new feature for Imbibe Live 2012 is the Training Zone, in association with renowned training companies Shaker Bar Schools and the Academy of Food & Wine Service (AFWS).
Imbibe Live visitors will not only enjoy all the great regular features of the most exciting event in the drinks industry, they can now attend free of charge training sessions and come away from the show with an industry-recognised qualification.
Shaker Bar Schools will be offering a range of training sessions including the Advanced Bartenders course, the International Bartenders course and Molecular Mixology.
Sommellerie with the AFWS will introduce sessions on "What is a Sommelier?", "The Process of Winemaking", "Different Grape Varieties" and "Tasting Skills".
