DeKuyper® Launches MixMastersUSA.com While Searching for the Next "It"Cocktail

Dan Cohen                                                                              

Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc.                                            

847-948-8888                                                                        

dan.cohen@beamglobal.com                                                   

 

Lauren Dyke

Qorvis Communications

202-683-3204

ldyke@qorvis.com

 

 

 

Deerfield, Ill. – September 15, 2009 – DeKuyper®, the best-selling line of cordials and liqueurs in the U.S., has announced the launch of MixMastersUSA.com, a first-of-its-kind Web site designed and created by bartenders for bartenders. The trailblazing online community allows bartenders to create profiles, “follow” one another and download widgets and applications that focus on relevant, up-to-date information on bartending and the spirits industry. 

 

MixMastersUSA.com and DeKuyper will also host regional on-premise challenges where professional trade bartenders from 12 cities across the county will submit their own original recipes using DeKuyper products. MixMasters Challenge contestants will be judged by a panel of local experts based on taste, appearance, name creativity, simplicity and originality. The winners from the local contests will go on to participate in the National MixMasters Challenge being held in New Orleans, La on Nov. 5, 2009. For the prize of $10,000, National Challenge participants will be judged on their cocktail-making skills and creativity.  

 

“The MixMasters Challenges solidify the DeKuyper commitment to the on-premise and engage bartenders in an innovative way,” said Anne Cyron, senior director, cordials and rums, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. “We are excited to see - and taste - the unique and creative cocktails that will result from the challenges.”

 

Featured site tools include the “Drink Shrink,” “Cocktails by Condition” and “Cocktail Central.” The “Drink Shrink” tool allows bartenders to finally be the ones asking for advice instead of the ones giving it. Users can submit any question relating to bartending, including industry trends, recipe ideas and customer service, to the “Drink Shrink” and give responses thumbs up or thumbs down. “Cocktails by Condition” is a weather widget that allows users to get a local weather forecast as well as a suggested cocktail to match. “Cocktail Central” tools allows bartenders to upload recipes into their “Black Book” for personal storage or to share with other users. “Black Books” will be accessible via mobile phone later this year. 

 

“DeKuyper has a long history of listening to bartenders and creating products that enhance their craft,” continued Cyron. “MixMastersUSA.com is an online extension of this philosophy and will bring a new level of sophistication and understanding of cocktail trends to those who are on our industry’s front lines – bartenders.”

 

For more information on the DeKuyper portfolio and great cocktail suggestions, visit www.DekuyperUSA.com. For bartenders interested in joining the MixMaster’s online community and participating in the regional challenges, visit MixMastersUSA.com. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.  Must be 21 years of age or older.  Void where prohibited.  Subject to complete official rules available at www.mixmastersusa.com.  Contest ends Nov. 5, 2009.

 

DeKuyper is the #1-selling line of domestic cordials featuring nearly 60 mixable and versatile flavors of cordials, liqueurs, crèmes, brandies and schnapps. Some DeKuyper flavors have inspired the creation of cocktails and are now synonymous with those drinks.  For example, in the mid-80s DeKuyper® Peachtree® Schnapps inspired the creation of the Fuzzy Navel, and in the mid-90s DeKuyper® Pucker® Sour Apple Schnapps inspired the creation of the Appletini.  DeKuyper was founded in Holland in 1695 by Johannes DeKuyper & Son and has been the brand to turn to for fresh and original liqueurs for more than 300 years.

 

Inspiring conversations around the world, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. is building brands people want to talk about. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for our brands, including Jim Beam® Bourbon, Sauza® Tequila, Canadian Club® Whisky, Courvoisier® Cognac, Maker's Mark® Bourbon, Laphroaig® Scotch Whisky, Cruzan® Rum, EFFEN® Vodka, Larios® Gin, Whisky DYC®, Teacher's® Scotch Whisky, DeKuyper® Cordials and Liqueurs and Knob Creek® Bourbon. Beam Global Spirits & Wine is part of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE:FO), a leading consumer brands company recently named one of the World’s Most Admired Companies by Fortune magazine. For more information on Beam Global Spirits & Wine, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, visit www.beamglobal.com and www.drinksmart.com.

 

DeKuyper® Cordials & Liqueurs, 15%-50% Alc./Vol.

©2009 John DeKuyper & Son, Cincinnati, Ohio

 

 

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