Barista Battles

Austin's best baristas battle it out in latte art throwdown

Baristas go head-to-head in a battle to see who can create the best work of latte art.

Photo by Maia Assaf

Editor's note: CultureMap is proud to present the latest installment in our partnership with KLRU and the documentary series Arts in Context, currently nominated for 10 Lone Star Emmys. Together, they tell stories about the arts in Austin and the creative people who continue to make our city's art scene thrive as Arts in Context Shorts.

This week, KLRU looks at some unconventional art in "Pour Your Heart Out." Meeting once a month in a head-to-head latte art throwdown, Austin-based baristas and coffee nerds transform our early-morning beverages into temporary pieces of art at TNT ATX. These latte artists travel from across Texas for coffee, competition, camaraderie and community.

During competition, two baristas square off to see who can create the best latte art. Demonstrating before a panel of coffee-loving judges, the winner is selected and then immediately jumps into the next competition. Besides a big ol' badge of barista pride, the winner also receives a cash prize at the end of the evening.

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KLRU-TV, Austin PBS is dedicated to telling stories about our community. KLRU highlights what makes Austin unique – whether music, arts or public issues – by creating and distributing award-winning original content. As a nonprofit educational organization, KLRU also helps prepare children for success and creates lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Fierce Competition

Austin distillery hosting bourbon cocktail showdown with $12,000 in awards

Fierce Whiskers bartender

Photo by Preston O'Shea

Fierce Whiskers is looking for the perfect cocktail to show off its Texas Straight Bourbon.

With something as nuanced as bourbon, it might be impossible to nail down the definitive best way to showcase it. Austin's Fierce Whiskers Distillery is not deterred. It'll task a dozen local bartenders with creating the best cocktail for its Texas Straight Bourbon in the Third Annual Austin Bourbon Battle on October 26.

This is a serious competition with big prizes paid out by the distillery (which has hosting help from partners Liber & Co and Virtue Craft Spirits). A people's choice award will end in a $2,000 prize, and the expert judges will award $10,000 to their favorite creation. Stakes are higher this year; the people's choice prize is now doubled, and the grand prize is the biggest of any year so far. Fierce Whiskers is only four years old, making this third year of event organizing overachievement all the more impressive.

Of course, if the people are going to choose a cocktail, they have to taste it. And if 12 sample-sized sips are just a warm-up, there will also be full portions of "select cocktails" to purchase, according to a press release. Food trucks Tru Luv Empanadas and Midway Dogs will be on hand with snacks, and live music will complete the evening. Rivian Electric Vehicles, which recently opened an Austin showroom, will also be there showing off its latest model and offering test drives and VIP shutter service.

Guests can come to support their favorite bartenders or find somewhere new to hang out next time they've got a hankering for a great bourbon cocktail. The following mixologists will be representing their bars:

Fletcher Wright – UpRoot
Ben Robinette, Brian Bounds – Kinfolk Lounge & Library
Trenten Relles – Meanwhile Brewing
Matthew Owoseni – Stella San Jac
Jarad Crowell – Il Brutto
Zachary Moore – Hillside Farmacy
Trever Fehrenbach – Dumont’s Down Low
Kevan Ash – Roosevelt Room
Rick Routh – Higher Ground
Franceska Akel – Equipment Room
Jessy Rae – Taco Flats
Matthew Le – Nickel City

The judges also have some recognizable names: whiskey writer Gabby Pharms, OMG Squee owner Sarah Lim, and Foliepops owner and Top Chef finalist Kevin D'Andrea.

“The competition continues to get more and more fierce,” said Fierce Whiskers founder Tri Vo in the release. “We’ve seen some incredible creations come out of Bourbon Battle each year and are always blown away by the creativity of each mixologist. It’s a privilege to showcase their creativity to the Austin community and we just hope folks come out to see what they can do!”

The Austin Bourbon Battle will take place at 5333 Fleming Ct. on October 26 from 3-7 pm. Tickets ($40) are available on Tock.

cocktails bartenders competition whiskey bourbon food trucks

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