Back To School with Brian Weber!

A true Bartender is always learning.  It's September - Back to School time - and we focus, more than ever, on education.

It''s the Bartender Journey Podcast Number 180. Listen with the audio player on this page, or subscribe on iTunes, Android or Stitcher Radio.

On this episode of Bartender Journey we talk with Bar Educators Chris Bidmead and Suzanne Freedman, founders of the educational Bar Methods course. Bar Methods is a new program launched this year focusing on bartending fundamentals.

In keeping with the spirit of spirits education, we are happy to announce that for the month of September only, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America is offering a discounted member rate with code "AMANDA" when you sign up at their site smwsa.com. Membership includes private access to the site, a subscription to Unfiltered magazine, invitations and discounts to events around the US and access to exclusive Members' Rooms in Leith, Edinburgh and London!

Bartender Journey Swag Giveaway
Send an email to [email protected] with an example of how you used something you learned from the Bartender Journey podcast either behind the stick (for professional bartenders) or at home (for cocktail enthusiasts). Just a short write up (200 words or less) with "WHAT I LEARNED" in the subject line and if you are the winning entry, we will send you a bourbon* t-shirt (Large) and accompanying notebook.
Entries must be received by September 28th 2016, midnight Eastern Standard Time.  Full rules of the contest here.  Good luck and we look forward to reading your entries!

(Swag credit to to Angel's Envy who hosted a brand event. at this year's Bar Methods.)

Book of the Week:
Southern Spirits: Four Hundred Years of Drinking in the American South with Recipes by Robert Moss.
When you hear “Southern cocktail”,  does the mint julep come to mind? Mix beyond the mint julep and learn cocktail recipes and their history beyond each one. From Robert Moss,  food and drink writer and culinary historian,  this book offers insight of the Southern drinking culture of liquor,  beer and wine and its influence on the American drinking culture.

Cocktail of the Week:
Bufala Negra
This version of the drink is credited to John Greco of Philip Marie in Manhattan.

• 1 ½ ounces Bourbon
• ½ teaspoon Turbinado sugar
• 1 teaspoon good quality Balsamic Vinegar
• 5 Basil Leaves
• 2 ounces Ginger Beer
• Muddle sugar,  vinegar and 4 basil leaves in a cocktail shaker. Add bourbon and ice and shake to dissolve sugar. Strain into old-fashioned glass filled with fresh ice - ideally one large ice cube.  Top with ginger beer and garnish with basil.
• We celebrate National Bourbon Heritage Month  this September with this Bourbon Cocktail.  #30daysofbourbon