Think Gin preview

Drinks International and Off Licence News’ inaugural Think Gin debuts at Merchant House in London on Monday February 9. Here’s our guide to what visitors can expect.

To register email freddie@flavourmedia.co.uk

Debates

09.45 - 11.00: The Essential Guide to Gin in the off-trade 2015, hosted by Off Licence News.

This session will set the scene with some key stats on the Gin category. We will hear the panel’s thoughts on big brand versus craft gins with advice on balancing a range between the two and what works best in different outlets.  The panel will also look to cover innovation in the category and marketing (particularly social and packaging design) to gain customer loyalty.

Contributors will include Anne Jones (Waitrose), Alex Wrethman (Charlottes Bistro / Gin School), Matthew Mcfadyen (The Good Spirits Company), Nick Fleming (Harrods), Nicholas Cook (The Gin Guild), Emma Stokes (AKA Gin Monkey), Richard Ellis (Hedonism), Allen Daly (Gerry’s of Soho), Tim Dunlop (Hammonds of Knutsford) and Nick Griffin (Mypleisure).

14.00 - 15.15: Where Next for Gin? Hosted by Drinks International, home of the World’s 50 Best Bars

This session looks to analyse the gin renaissance, look to future trends and cast an eye to further afield markets, examining whether international trends will be replicated here in the UK.  The panel will be looking at styles, profitability and product innovation, as the key factors to consider when putting together a gin list for your bar.  

Contributors to this session will include Tristan Stephenson (Fluid Movement), Anistatia Miller (Cocktail historian), Joey Medrington (London Cocktail Club), Sion Edwards (Warner Edwards), Jared Brown (master distiller, Sipsmith) and Hamish Smith (Drinks International).

Workshops -Live tutored tastings with leading bartenders

11.45 -12.15: Does the Tonic matter?  Hosted by David Hoggan (Calabrese House)

This session will dispel the myth that that one tonic fits all.  With the growing range of gins on the market each with their own distinctive botanical blends, David Hoggan will take you through a gin and tonic matching session to show how different tonics can bring out the flavour of different gins.

Calabrese House is a premium, independent cocktail bar operator and beverage consultancy company, headed by Gerry Calabrese. The senior team at Calabrese House has over 40 years of experience in the sector and has won a multitude of awards.

16.00 - 16.30: Comparative Botanicals, hosted by the London Bar Consultants 

The London Bar Consultants, Nate Brown and Lewis Hayes, will take you through a botanical journey, making individual distillates and blending them to highlight the characteristics that can give a brand its individual personality.  This will be an interactive session and will allow the audience to learn how to identify with and promote the gins in their own ranges.

Nate Brown and Lewis Hayes, founders of The London Bar Consultants, have over 20 years combined experience in the hospitality trade.  They have used their expertise to launch numerous gin brands, and proudly own and operate Merchant House, home to the largest selection of super premium gins and rums in the world.

Networking

Created for senior trade from all sectors and especially those involved with the purchasing of gin, Think Gin offers an environment to network with peers in the trade and pick up useful tips from some of the best in the business.

Social

There is phone reception and WIFI in the venue, the code for which will provided on the day.  

Follow the Think Gin event page on Facebook, on Twitter @thinkgin, using #ThinkGin. 

The sponsors of Think Gin 2015 are:

Warner Edwards

Monkey 47

Martin Millers Gin / Reformed Spirits Company

Elephant Gin

Mason’s Yorkshire GIn

Ely Gin Company

Pinkster

Blackwood Gin

Maverick Drinks

Brockman’s

Fentimans tonic

Bottle Green Drinks