A total of 30 aspirants from the different parts of Cantabria participated this morning in the Cantabria Estrella Galicia Beer Pulling Championship which took place in the Hotel Bahía in Santander.
After different stages in which they had to demonstrate their skills when serving beer, both draught and bottled, and answer questions about the world of beer, Borja Gutiérrez Aguirre, from the Clandestino Gin&Soul in Los Corrales de Buelna, has been declared Best Beer Puller in Cantabria. Rubén González Castañeda, from Café Vinilo de Cabezón de la Sal, has been named runner-up. Both will represent the region in the National Championship which will take place in 2016.
The three consolation prizes were won by Timoteo Moral, from Cervecería Casimira in Santander, Rafael Alcalde, from El Emboque de Boo in Piélagos, and Fernando Gutiérrez, from Casa Setién in Santander.
The jury evaluated the work carried out by the participants highly and the high level of execution. The atmosphere during the competition was very exciting and the public present encouraged the participants throughout.
The Cantabria Estrella Galicia Beer Pulling Championship is a regional phase that will allow the Champion and runner-up to opt for the national title to be held early in 2016.
The jury, which was made up of professionals from the world of beer, catering and restaurant sectors, had to work hard to evaluate the quality and excellence of the aspirants’ service, as well as their knowledge about beer. It was made up by Xabier Cubillo de la Hoz, Market Quality Expert at Hijos de Rivera (Chairman of the Jury), Fernando Iglesias Quiroga, Market Quality Manager at Hijos de Rivera, Jorge López, sommelier and content editor of the “Soy Gourmet” guide and Alfonso Fraile, President of the Sommeliers Association in Cantabria, and teacher and maître at the Hotel Escuela Las Carolinas.
The five finalists were given their weight in beer, and a cash prize of €600 for the winner and €400 for the runner-up. There were also three consolation prizes of €150. All the finalists were given a diploma accrediting their participation, and the champion and runner-up go straight through to the National Championship, with paid travel and expenses.
Acknowledging barmen’s good service
Estrella Galicia has decided to put to the test the professionals’ skills and quality of service throughout Spain with the aim of rewarding the effort and talent of barmen when serving the product at its optimum point for the consumer to enjoy.
The aim of this championship is to promote beer culture, the values of beer as a product of excellence within the food and beverage industry, and acknowledge the work carried out by bartenders as a fundamental link in the distribution chain of Estrella Galicia products. Professionalism in catering establishments is fundamental to offer end consumers the full range of possibilities a premium beer such as Estrella Galicia has to offer.
