Pilsner Urquell announces master bartender

Chris Bailey has been crowned UK Master Bartender of the Year by Czech brewer Pilsner Urquell.

Over 1,000 barmen around the world applied for the competition and were subsequently whittled down to just 18.

Bailey, barman at The Mall in Clifton village, Bristol, was up against 10 finalists for the UK title, including last year’s winner Chris Milner from Brown’s Bar & Brasserie in Leeds.

Bailey will now join the other winners from around the world at the beer’s original brewery in its birthplace of Pilsen, in the Czech Republic.

He will represent the UK in a series of challenges and interviews to find the Pilsner Urquell International Bartender of the Year.

Over four days, the contenders will be tested on every aspect of the beer from its production to the perfect pour and presentation.

The winner will be crowned at an awards ceremony in Prague and will receive €10,000 in prize money.

Gillian Loudon from Miller Brands said: “The Pilsner Urquell Master Bartender programme grows in popularity with our customers with over 1,000 bartenders registering and we’re delighted with the calibre of finalists this year.

“The standards were exceptionally high and it’s great to see so much passion and professionalism in our industry.

 “Chris will have a truly memorable experience in the Czech Republic and we are confident that he, as a true advocate of the brand, will once again bring home the title of Pilsner Urquell International Master Bartender to the UK.”

Rupert Millar, 28.09.2010