2nd Annual Star Serve Bartender Final Concludes with the Grand Launch of Heineken Extra Cold

Heineken recently crowned Errol Barbosa, Philippines’ best bartender during the 2nd Annual Heineken Star Serve Bartender Finals held last July 28, at Black Market, Makati City. To celebrate the momentous occasion, they capped off the event by launching the newest Heineken Extra Cold.

Heineken Star Serve Bartender Final is Heineken’s annual bartending program held in different countries around the world. Winners will get the chance to represent his/her country as they compete in the world-renowned Heineken Global Bartender Final in Amsterdam. Unlike other bartending competitions, the determining factor in this contest is all about creating quality draft beer consistently with precision.

This year is the second Star Serve Bartender Final for the Philippines. The judges for the night were AB Heineken Philippines sales director Jan-Willem Paans, AB Heineken Philippines head of trade marketing Hannes Verhoeven, and the first-ever winner of Star Serve Final in the country,Christian Uy.

The competition started off with 14 contestants, recruited from different bars in the metro. The task is to achieve the five ritual in pouring the perfect Heineken serve–1) Rinse 2) Pour 3) Skim 4) Check 5) Serve. Bartenders have to show the judges that they can craft the perfect beer while displaying an act of showmanship with flair and pizazz.

The last two men standing demonstrated their skills as they entertained the audience in crafting the signature Heineken draft beer. Errol de Guzman from Belle and Dragon came victorious and is now Heineken Philippines’ representative to go to Amsterdam and compete in the Heineken Global Bartender Final later this 2018.

Errol said that he had to train vigorously in perfecting the five-step ritual, adding gimmicks to make the serving fun. “I am very thankful, especially to God,” said Errol. “For the global final, I have to work on developing the five-step ritual and the music [that I will use].”

To celebrate the overall success of the Star Serve Bartender Final, Heineken threw an afterparty where attendees experienced the grand launch of the Heineken Extra Cold.

Heineken Extra Cold is their newest venture. It is served in sub-zero temperatures using state-of-the-art technology to give an experience like no other. According to Paans, it beats the heat the best way possible; given the tropical climate in the Philippines, drinking this beer is perfect. 

People experienced and enjoyed the free-flowing of its frothy and crisp taste as they danced to the beats and grooves spun by the DJs of the night. The evening was made cooler by Sam YG, Issa Pressman, Rocco Nacino, and many other celebrities who were spotted in the crowd.

There are much to look forward to–Errol’s journey in Amsterdam to compete head to head against competitors from different countries and Heineken Extra Cold on your next order of beer by the bar. For more information follow these hashtags on Instagram and Facebook: #heinekenextracold #freezeyourcity