2018 Heineken Star Serve

2018 Heineken Star Serve winner, Edilon C. Cauilan from The Beer Factory, flanked by
Andrew Woon (Heineken Malaysia Sales Director) and Carmen Chong (Heineken Senior Brand Manager) 

The Beer Factory tops again this year with a new Heineken ‘Star’ Serve champion, Edilon Cauilan from the Raja Uda (Butterworth) branch from a challenge of 7 other contestants from around Malaysia.

As with previous year's winner, the creme of the lot wins an all expense-paid trip to Amsterdam in October, the home of Heineken, and represent Malaysia at the Heineken Global Bartender Final.



Now in its 5th year, Heineken Star Serve campaign had draught masters Jonathan Chong and Thomas Ling teaching the Heineken 5-step Pouring Ritual to more than 600 bartenders across eight cities in Malaysia. The Heineken Star Serve pouring ritual involves five steps: rinse, pour, skim, check and serve. These 5 steps are the secret to delivering a perfect glass of Heineken.

Mastery of the 5 step ritual however, is not the main criteria for winning the competition. The contestants and eventual winner has to exude personality and charisma befitting of a great barkeep.



My hope is for Edilon to emulate Eddy Jay Jaimin, who won the Heineken Global Bartender of the year back in 2016.

Well done and good luck to you Edilon. Do Malaysia proud!



- Jon

Tiger Beer x WWF-Malaysia Endangered Edition Launch

The Endangered Edition collection by Pestle and Mortar Clothing (PMC) is not just another cool streetwear limited edition collection. It is Tiger Beer’s latest CSR campaign on the awareness and Conservation of Malaysian Tigers in collaboration with PMC and WWF.

This makes part of Tiger Beer's 6-year partnership with WWF in its efforts to support doubling the population of wild tigers globally by 2022.

There are 4 designers’ tiger motif t-shirt designs to choose from by four local artists - Sean Lean, Kenji Chai, Julian Oh, and Hugh Koh. All proceeds of these t-shirt sales will go to the WWF Malaysian Tiger conservancy fund.

Only 260 pieces of these limited edition t-shirts have been made, but this number is still more than the number of Malayan tigers left in the wild (estimated at 250).

These t-shirts that are priced at RM100 each and are available at the PMC flagship Bangsar store while stocks last. Online sales for the exclusive Endangered Edition collection will go live on PMC’s online shopping platform, https://www.pestlemortarclothing.com from 21 st August onwards.

For more information on the Endangered Edition collection, visit www.facebook.com/tigerbeermy.

- Jon

Images from Heineken Malaysia.

Rampur Select debuts in Malaysia

The Irish claimed to be the first, the Scots made it famous, the Americans made it different, the Japanese refined it into an art, Taiwan's mad about it.... and now, India is jumping into the foray.

After John Paul and Amrut established names of single malt whisky brands from India, Rampur makes an inroad to our shores as the 3rd and latest brand of single malt whisky from India. This brand has been floating on retail for the last few months now but only last 29th Aug, in a cozy little media launch, I managed to sample a little of this latest pride from India.

Rampur Select is produced by Radico Khaitan. The distillery that sits on the foothills of the Himalayas in a little town called... can you guess it.... Rampur. Radico Khaitan is no stranger to the liquour industry in India. Having been around since 1943, it's known to be the largest spirit producer in India.

On the nose is a crisp whiff light fruity notes. On the palate, you can taste the youth of the liquid, not much body, more fruity notes and ending with some spiciness. Overall, an uncomplicated whisky to enjoy.

It's hailed by Whisky Advocate magazine as no. 5 of its top 20 whiskies of 2017 with 93 points. Bottled non-chilled filtered and at a 43% ABV, it retails here at RM345. You can buy this online at StayThirsty.

For more: http://rampursinglemalt.com/

- Jon

(image: StayThirsty)

Carlsberg Malaysia Launches the Somersby Elderflower Lime

Somersby launched its latest flavour to their line up - the Elderflower Lime.

Weighing in at at a respectable 4.5% abv, the alcohol content for Somersby is not for lightweights. As a comparison, Carlsberg’s Smooth Draught, while tasting light and smooth, tips only a little higher at 4.8%.

But what the heck is an Elderflower and how does it taste? It's a white-coloured flower of the Elderberry tree (found in the US and Europe) that imparts a flowery herbally taste - some have describe it as having a lychee-ish taste.

Managing Director Lars Lehmann & the management team of Carlsberg Malaysia
for the launch of Somersby Elderflower Lime at Morganfield’s Da Men Mall USJ.

I personally find the Elderflower Lime served in a tall glass packed with ice very  refreshing and thirst quenching with a slight bubbly tingle on the tongue.

Instead of a dessert wine like a Moscato that may bleed your pocket, the Somersby Elderflower Lime and even the rest of its sister products (Apple cider, Pear cider, Blackberry cider,  Sparkling rose) would be an awesome alternative.

It's available in both bottle (330ml) and can (320ml) at major hypermarkets and supermarkets nationwide.



Carlsberg Malaysia's running a few promos in conjunction with the launch of this new variant, check them out:
- the Somersby Kombi mobile bars will be roving around in September to local tourist spots, night markets, supermarkets and hypermarkets around Peninsular Malaysia offering consumers a chance to sample Somersby Apple, Blackberry, Sparkling Rosé and the new Elderflower Lime.
- Get a can of Somersby Elderflower Lime FREE with every purchase of a 4-can or 4-bottle pack at participating hypermarkets, supermarkets and convenient stores from 27 August to 30 September. This deal is also available for the 6-can pack Carlsberg or Carlsberg Smooth Draught.
- Special food promotion at 100 participating F&B outlets from 1 September to 31 October where the Somersby Elderflower Lime will be offered at a discount.
- Also check out Morganfield’s for the mouth-watering Baby Back Ribs promotion perfectly
paired with the Somersby Elderflower Lime.
- Visit www.winetalk.com.my to get the Somersby Mystery Box set worth RM50 comprising all 4 flavours at only RM35!

For details, follow Somersby Malaysia on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SomersbyMY.

- Jon

(Images: Carlsberg Malaysia)

New: PJ’s Bar & Grill at New World Petaling Jaya

Name me a place in PJ you can go enjoy view the city sights?

Mont Kiara jogging hill doesnt count - that's technically in KL. Gasing Hill? Perhaps, but the view ain’t that spectacular. Also, it's not the safest to be in the day time, let alone at night.

I'll let you in on a soon-to-be-not-a-secret-place: PJ’s Bar & Grill located at the 30th floor of the newly minted New World Hotel that's just behind Paradigm Mall.

With a viewing deck and the hotel’s infinity pool, PJ’s Bar & Grill is the largest and highest rooftop bar in Petaling Jaya that offers a 360° view of the city.

The bar has Guinness and Tiger on tap, a choice of wines and spirits as well as a few signature cocktails. The food menu covers an extensive array of  tapas-style bites, mains, and the open grill serving up the city’s freshest ‘Catch of the Day, alongside its Western and Eastern grilled selections. The kitchen is led by Executive Chef - Alexander Chong, with over 20 years of culinary experience, specialising in Western and Chinese cuisine.

There's even a private Cigar Lounge in the restaurant to puff upon their choice of cigars sourced from Cuba and the Dominican Republic or savour a night cap from PJ’s Bar & Grill’s wine and liquor list.

PJ’s Bar & Grill is opened daily from 11.30am to 12.00 am. For dining enquiries or reservations at PJ’s Bar & Grill, call (603) 7682 0000, e-mail marketing.petalingjaya@newworldhotels.com
or visit petalingjaya.newworldhotels.com.

Make sure FA jio you when she steals away for a pint after work.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Fireangel (@fireangel80) on Jul 26, 2018 at 6:33am PDT

- Jon

Marini’s on 57 - Introducing the new kid in the bar.

If you are standing in the middle of KLCC shopping or perhaps is in the vicinity thereabouts at 5pm and suddenly thought, "Fuck, i need a drink. NOW!" - Where would you go? Or where would you go for a classy date, get him(or her) decently sloshed with nosh?

We try not to drink on an empty stomach - Marini's food menu is pretty to look at and pretty tasty too.

Don’t look horizontally - look up. One of the best watering holes and acclaimed steakhouse is on the 57th floor of Petronas tower 3.

Brand new cocktails by Roland - a bit of old, a bit of new, a bit of local.

We we recently hosted to sample Marini’s new cocktail creations by the new head bartender, Ronald (his predecessor, Junior, has moved on to the new W hotel). So, the new sheriff in charge has made a stamp of his brand of drinks onto the menu. We sampled 6 of his new signature cocktails and I must say, Raymond didn't disappoint.

Roland sprinkling some gold dust onto his  Pandan Loves Truffles. That chilled gold goblet was so heavy, I felt like a roman emperor drinking from it.

Marini's on 57 sits on a level with one of the best skyline views of KL. Like I said, if you are planning a classy date, I highly recommend it - but either get there early or make a reservation as it gets packed after office hours.

For more:
https://marinis57.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pg/marinis57/

Cheers!
- Jon

Lone Wolf Gin Comes to Malaysia!

A few of us had a sneak preview of this lovely gin, which has recently pounced its way into the Malaysian gin market - making us their first market in Asia to enter. Yeay!

MyBeer (of Taps Beer Bar fame), who is likely one of the largest importers of craft beer in Malaysia brings this in. Why is a craft beer importer bringing this in? Because: they bring in BrewDog and BrewDog makes this gin.

With so many gins in the market, what sets this new product apart is with the brewers at BrewDog’s distilling their grain spirit from scratch (50% wheat, 50% barley) - unlike some gin brands that outsources their grain spirits.

The botanicals include juniper, Thai lemongrass, Kaffir lime leaf, coriander, pink peppercorn, almond, fresh lemon peel, mace, fresh red grapefruit peel, and Scottish pine needles.

Bottled at 44% ABV, the higher than industry standard 40% ABV packs just a right punch to allow its botanical to shine especially when gin is married with it and even upon dilution with melting ice.

Creamy with citrus on the nose and spiciness in the end, this gin is delicious.

Lone Wolf will be made available on retail .... soon. We're keeping an eye out for the Lone Wolf tonic as well, which is formulated to pair with their gin like ketchup on fries. There's even a canned G&T at 8.8% ABV - which FA approves:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Fireangel (@fireangel80) on May 26, 2018 at 4:15am PDT

There are other planned canned booziness too but we'll have sit tight and watch out for it.

- Jon

An Evening with Hawkers Beer at Taps Beer Bar

Image: MyTipsyTurvy

Australian-born Hawkers beer is actually a standard offering from Taps. a group of us got to spend an evening with founder Mazen Hajjar to taste more of his ‘fucking good beer” (his words) with him and to get schooled on what makes a beer good.

Hawkers' name was inspired by the early immigrant colonial street vendors in Australia that saw trade expand in cities across the country. Craft beer distilleries did nothave budgets for marketing or channels of distribution, thus can't fight the big boy companies for sales volume. Many also through trade word of mouth and door to door sales.

Fireangel thinks he's kinda cute. Image: Taps Beer Bar

According to Mazen, the best food to pair with Hawkers beer is with… hawker food. Well, think of it this way. The biggest volume of sales by the big beer boys come from our kopitiams. Hands down, any good beer just tastes superb with some good street chow.

According to Mazen, “If a person says s/he does not like beer, that’s only because they’ve been introduced to the wrong fucking beer to start off with".  Which is why, if you visit Hawkers' website, https://hawkers.beer/, you'll see that they have quite a variety of beers. From the light lagers to the heavy stouts and limited edition barrel aged, there is a beer for everyone and every occasion.

Image: Taps Beer Bar

More of Hawkers beer will be featured at Taps Beer bar in future, but for now, the ones that are already available have been fucking good. Pardon my Ozzie.

- Jon

Taste Almost 50 types of Whisky And Spirits at Whisky PLUS!

Whiskyphiles, block 28 July 2018 on your calendars for the upcoming WhiskyPLUS 2018.

What is it:
A whisky and spirits tasting event, organised by the TEG Media Group. Whispers tell me that this could be Malaysia's answer to Whisky Live Singapore!

What can you expect:
About 50 brands of whiskies and spirits to try including: the Arran, Balblair, Bruichladdich, Benromach, Bunnahabhain, Bushmills, Chivas, Deanston, Glenfarclas, Glenfiddich, Hazelburn, Kilchoman, Ledaig, Longrow, Maison Du Whisky, Mars, Monkey Shoulder, Nikka, Octomore, Paul John, Port Charlotte, the Glenlivet, SMWS, Ancnoc... and these are just the whisky brands. Check out the full list here: http://www.whiskyplus.my./#brands

Format:
There are 2 sessions to choose from (12pm - 4pm & 5pm - 10pm) and number of tickets for each session is limited for crowd control so hurry!

Pricing:
Ther are 2 ticket types are available -  Gold (Standard) or Black (VIP).

1) Gold passes vary from RM135 - RM188, depending if you're bulk buying (cheaper) and if it's the 1st vs 2nd (the longer and therefore pricier) session.

The Gold ticket gets you:
- access to the main tasting floor, with unlimited sampling of whiskies and other spirits
- light bites provided by the hotel
- a Glencairn-style whisky tasting glass to bring home
- complimentary F&B vouchers for Hilton KL restaurants
- a free cocktail by guest bartenders

2) Black passes go for RM268 and RM298 (in additional to the gold ticket access, you get other exclusives like the cigar lounge access, VIP premier tasting room, and an upgraded goodie bag) (sold out!)

BONUS! If you are a Dram Full - Malaysia member (why aren't you already?? tsk tsk), you get discounts ranging from RM10 to RM40, depending on the session and the type of pass chosen. CLICK HERE.

More: 
- Purchase-by-the-dram whiskies at the Collector’s Corner to sample private collectors’ rare and expensive bottles.
- Discounted promo codes for MULA e-hailing rides home

- Selected bottles for sale at discounted prices.

For more details on #WhiskyPlusKL2018 and ticket purchase, visit www.whiskyplus.my.

Don't say I bojio!

P/s: I am running a Facebook giveaway contest for a pair of tickets worth RM270!

How to participate?

1. Share this post on your Facebook.
2. Include this in your post "l want to go for #WhiskyPlusKL2018 with (tag your friend) because...."
3. Comment below so I know you're participating. Make sure your FB profile is public otherwise I can't keep track. If I can't see your profile, you're automatically disqualified okay! :)
4. Get the highest number of likes on your post.
5. Win 2 tickets!

Contest ends this friday, 5pm. good luck!

Go go go: https://www.facebook.com/ang3ltini

Guiness Malaysia’s Perfect Pour Masters 2018 - Finale

Take a Guinness pint glass.
Hold it at a 45° angle.
Toggle stout lever until pour reaches the golden harp.
Stop.
Upright the glass and let it sit for about 119.5 mins until the cloud of gas (aka the surge) settles and the liquid calms to a ruby red (it looks black on the naked eye, but try holding it up against a bright white light and you'll see it!).
Top up the stout till the frothy head reaches the rim of the glass.
Stop.

This is Guinness's perfect serve, also called the ‘two part’ pour.

It takes more than 2 minutes for a perfect pint to be poured and the best of establishments make you wait for your pint. If your stout comes out too soon, especially in a busy establishment, you can be sure that it's not done the right way, and you should send it back.... or never go there again :p

 Bartenders at Guinness outlets are trained to get the perfect pour right with Guinness Malaysia through the Heineken Malaysia Star Academy. The trainers travel across the country to do this and over the past month, they have shortlisted 8 of the best perfect pint pourers from hundreds of trainees from Central, North, South and East Malaysia.

The 2018 finalists. (Image: Guinness)

4 winners were announced as winners on 21 June at the finale held in Publika were awarded with a tour to the home of Guinness in Dublin, Ireland.

Sales Director Mr Andrew Woon, Marketing Director Mr Jiri Rakosnik & Finance Director Mr Szilard Voros with the 4 winners: Alwin Goh,  Henry Lai, Julio Jeremy, Kenny Loo (Image: Guinness)

So the next time you are at any of these establishments, you have every right to expect your Guinness to be served in a perfect pour.

A post shared by Fireangel (@fireangel80) on Jun 21, 2018 at 4:18am PDT

FA says hi!

For more: www.facebook.com/GuinnessMalaysia.

- Jon

Tiger ROARS at the World Cup 2018

Tiger Beer will be hosting a whole slew of viewing parties this whole month at participating outlets.

A post shared by Fireangel (@fireangel80) on Jun 14, 2018 at 6:21am PDT

Expect large screen TVs, ice cold beer promotions, games and prizes to be won at their viewing parties.

While you're at it, grab a picture with the ‘Tiger Beer ROAR Machine’ and score a goal to win free beer!

If you're going to be consuming (responsibly)/buying loads of Tiger beer anyway, download the TigerMy app, earn points and redeem exclusive memorabilia such as jerseys, photo frames, football boots and balls which are autographed by legendary football stars.



Log on to http://tigerbeer.com.my/roarwithtiger/ for locations of their roving viewing parties and beer promos.

Or you could look up for them on FB for more info: https://www.facebook.com/TigerBeerMY/

Don't say I bojio!

- Jon

Except for the instagram image, all images by Tiger Beer.

Carlsberg's Probably The Best Football Beer Contest for World Cup 2018

If you're a Carlsberg and World Cup 2018 fan, you stand to win a tonne of prizes. Let me count the ways:

Managing Director of Carlsberg Malaysia, Lars Lehmann, wants you to win lots of stuff from Carlsberg!

1)  At coffeeshops, foodcourts and F&B outlets
Collect the Carlsberg green bottle caps or the Smooth Draught POP Big bottle caps (remember to insist on them at the outlet!) and you might just win yourself limited edition jerseys, football umbrellas, and more beer

2)  At home
Receive the limited edition can or bottle cooler sleeve when you purchase your football-themed Carlsberg or Carlsberg Smooth Draught from super/hypermarkets and convenience stores.

Play their online game and win an all-expense paid trip to watch a Liverpool FC match LIVE in the UK with a friend at Anfield Stadium!

3) Online at www.probablythebest.com.my/football

Play “Probably The Best Football Beer Game" and use your football knowledge to predict the scores to win an all-expense paid trip to watch a Liverpool FC match LIVE in the UK with a friend.

Win all the World Cup 2018 merchandise (girls not included)! 

4) At any of the 3000 viewing parties nationwide

Participate in any of their games at the viewing party (like the “Probably The Best Foot Pong”, nd Football Trivia Challenge) and you could win an exclusive “Probably The Best Football Kit” consisting of jersey, umbrella, limited-edition Carlsberg and Smooth Draught with bottle and can cooler sleeves. There’ll be Bonus Codes giveaways to earn extra points for the online game and successful participants can also stand a chance to walk home with either a Hisense 39” LED TV or a Vivo V71 Smartphone.

Play and win lots of stuff at viewing parties!

5) "Buy and Win" & “Swipe and Win” at hypermarkets
Buy a carton of Carlsberg or Carlsberg Smooth Draught, deliver your best kick and walk away with football merchandise and score exclusive party passes.

If you're a hoarder, you could also collect the limited-edition cans and bottles featuring flags of Brazil, Germany, Spain, England, France and Portugal. 

Don't say I bojio!

- Jon

(All images provided by Carlsberg)

DIY Layered Shots

Have you heard about the Sand Mandala? Well, it's this ritual where Tibetan monks create an intricately designed sand art. Then once it's completed, they would just sweep it away. Those weeks and weeks of meticulous hardwork gone in a single sweep.

That's pretty much what layering is. You spend time agonizing over each layer of spirit to ensure that the layers mix into each other, only to have it downed in less than a second.

So then, why bother layering your shots? Because it's bloody pretty, that's why.

It's actually pretty damn simple actually. All you need is a shot glass, a teaspoon and a spirit or 2, your favourite liquer, or 2. So let's just say we're making something called a Quick Fuck (no kidding). You'll need 1 part Baileys, 1 part Kahlua, 1 part Midori.

1. Fill 1/3 of the glass with the Midori first. The first and bottom part of the shot should always be the "heaviest" drink. By heaviest, I mean with the highest content of sugar so that it stays at the bottom. So the theory is that you fill it up with the heaviest first to the lightest. To have an idea which spirit is heavier than which this drinks gravity chart is a decent reference.

2. Grab a spoon.  Front part facing up, touch the side of the spoon to the glass. Steady your hands. With the other hand, grab the Kahlua. Slowly, very very slowly, pour the liquid down the back of the spoon so that it flows to the side of the glass.

3. Do the same (and be EXTRA careful with this) with the Baileys.

TAH DAH.

Now enjoy how pretty it looks. Then proceed to down the shot.

The Chivas Regal Mizunara Comes to Malaysia

The Chivas Regal Mizunara is said to be the "the world’s first Scotch whisky" that is finished in  Japanese Mizunara oak casks. First unveiled exclusively in Japan in 2013, it was afterwards made available in France and Thailand - now it's come to Malaysia.

What goes in there? Selected Chivas Regal whiskies that get finished in  Mizunara oak casks.

If you're a Japanese whisky fan, the mere mention of Mizunara may get your mouth watering.

Mizunara is an oak tree which are indigenous to Japan. It is known to be extremely scarce (evidently, the tree needs to be at least 200 years old before it can be made into a cask) and has a distinctive porous nature.

While the latter makes the wood more difficult to work with, it also allows for imparting "more flavours" of the wood into the whisky at a shorter time - lending a whisky that's aged in it a distinct flavour profile of subtle vanilla, fruity and flower scents with a spicy finish - which you'll also find in the Chivas Regal Mizunara.

Official tasting notes of the Chivas Regal Mizunara:
Nose:    Rich and fruity, with pear and orange notes
Palate:  Smooth and rich with a honey sweetness and a trace of hazelnut
Finish:   Long, with a touch of Mizunara spice
Colour:  Warm amber

Image: PRM

You can experience the Chivas Regal Mizunara which will be available in limited quantities in selected F&B outlets, bars and supermarkets across Malaysia from March 2018. Prices start from the high side of RM3XX onward, from what we've observed.

Pernod Ricard Malaysia Brand Manager Benedict Yong and Sebastien Mouquet, Managing Director of Pernod Ricard Malaysia among the rest of the PRM crew, launching the new bottling at Pernod Ricard Malaysia's HQ bar - Bar des Embiez (Image: PRM)

FA and I enjoyed this so if you manage to get your hands on one, don't forget to jio!

- Jon

Mosto Wine Bar & Restaurant @ ONE KL

Porcinated joy and salutations! I found another porcine-friendly restaurant and bar in KL - or rather, they found me!

Located in Jalan Pinang and just a stone’s throw from KLCC, this nice cozy little hideaway is another brainchild of Cavaliere Modesto Marini’s himself. Now if that name sounds familiar, it's because he is the founder of Marini's and the Marini Group of restaurants.

While Mosto’s Wine and Restaurant Bar is not part of the Marini’s Group but the atmosphere and decor certainly has the same feel. Classy.

Cocktails and tap beers (Heineken Malaysia's triple threat - Guinness, Tiger, Heineken) are on the menu too but Mosto boasts about their extensive wine list. Their wine menu lists wines from all over the globe.

On the menu, Mosto’s signature - Italian themed cuisine and PORK. Pork is served in many ways, from the appetisers to the pastas and main dishes. However, there are also seafood options for those looking for something a little lighter.

Mosto’s is opened for lunch with happy hour wine prices till 9pm and friday happy hours that start from 12pm onwards!

You might like to know that parking is available and free (for now, perhaps as the building as new.).

For more: https://www.facebook.com/mostowinebarkl/ or https://mostowinebarkl.com/

Don’t say I bojio!

- Jon

Images: Mosto Wine Bar & Restaurant