We are less than two weeks away from all the stirring, swirling, shaking and gyrating that will liven up our great city when the 2012 San Diego Spirits Festival returns. Taking place on Saturday, August 25th and Sunday, August 26th, this preeminent West Coast cocktail, culinary and cultural event is where the world of craft spirits, high profile liquors and fine foods converge to make a splash on our sunny San Diego bay.
Event organizer and founder Liz Edwards has high expectations for the festival this year. Since its launch here in San Diego in 2009, the venues have changed, the competitions have intensified, and the surprises have gotten bigger and better.
"The San Diego Spirit Festival is a highly anticipated event that gives local mixologists a platform to showcase their latest creations and demonstrate the passion for our craft," said Mike Yen, last year's winning mixologist at the festival. "I love what Liz Edwards has done to help cultivate and spread awareness of our growing cocktail culture."
San Diego is California’s second largest city, and is experiencing an exciting cocktail revolution. Now in its fourth year, the San Diego Spirits Festival attracts high-profile members of the spirits and culinary trade, affluent consumers and local bar and restaurateurs who are passionate about San Diego and the West coast’s burgeoning cocktail and culinary scene.The Spirits Festival will kick off August 20 with Cocktail Week. From August 20 to August 24, visitors can sample select creations at participating San Diego locations.
On Saturday, August 25, the grand tasting room opens up to all VIP and trade ticket holders at noon, and to the public at 1pm. At 2pm, the Ultimate Bartender Battle will pit top mixologists from all over the city against each other in the semifinals. The winners will continue to compete on Sunday.
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Over 3,000 people are expected to attend the Festival this year. So if you are a luxury spirits connoisseur, a foodie, a local or national bartender, or a restaurateurs, come enjoy San Diego's exciting local cocktail and culinary scene. Tickets can be purchased online and are available for $80/day and grants the participant unlimited tastings. There are also a limited number of VIP tickets, which grant holders access to both day's events, unlimited tastings, entry to the VIP party, a swag bag, and lots more surprises including early entrance on Saturday the 25th at 12pm.
The official charities for the San Diego Spirits Festival are Women Executives in the Beverage Industry, Chefs de Cuisine Association of San Diego, and K.E.Y.S - Keeping the Eyes on Your Safety.
For more information, make sure to check out the Spirit Festival's brand new website at www.SanDiegoSpiritsFestival.com, and for specific questions, please call 858-551-1605 or email [email protected].
