David Tena, from the bar Con Jota, beat 19 of his opponents in the competition held this morning in Merida. The runner-up was Javier Sánchez, from the bar-restaurant La Centinela. Both will be at the National Final to compete for the title of Best Beer Puller in Spain, at the Estrella Galicia Beer Pulling Championship.
The Museo Abierto de Mérida (MAM) hosted the V Campeonato Estrella Galicia de Tiraje de Cerveza de Extremadura (V Estrella Galicia Beer Pulling Championship in Extremadura). A total of 30 aspirants competed in different rounds for the title of Best Beer Puller, with an enthusiastic crowd cheering them on.
After the different phases where they had to demonstrate their skill at serving beer, both draught and bottled, and answer a range of different questions about the world of beer, David Tena, from the bar Con Jota, in Badajoz, won the title of Best Beer Puller in Extremadura.
Javier Sánchez, from the bar-restaurant La Centinela, in Montijo, Badajoz was the runner-up. Both will represent Extremadura in the Spanish Championship that will be held in Madrid next year.
Once the contest was over, David stated that he was extremely happy to be the Extremadura champion, “It was very complicated, as the level was really high, and we were all very nervous, but I did it”.
Javier said he was ”very satisfied with my performance in this Championship and very happy to be able to represent Extremadura in the Spanish final”.
There were five finalists in total. The three consolation prizes were given to Esther Martín (8º Arte, Cáceres), Jorge Nuñez (Gastro Moes, Bienvenida) and Manuel de la Gala (Munich bar, Mérida).
The five finalists in this elimination phase won their weight in beer, and a cash prize. The winner received €600, the runner-up €400 and the other three finalists €150. They were all also given a diploma to certify their participation and result.
The participants competed in front of an expert jury, presided over by Xabier Cubillo (Hijos de Rivera beer culture expert), who had to work hard to evaluate the quality, efficiency and speed of service, as well as the aspirants’ knowledge about the characteristics of Estrella Galicia products.
The other members of the jury were Francisco Refolio, who was, until now, the current champion of Extremadura and is head chef at Restaurante el Corregidor; Esther Ferreira, teacher of catering services the Badajoz Catering College (IES San Fernando); and Felicísima Leal, teacher of catering services at the Caceres Catering College (IES Universidad Laboral).
