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@michele colomb, an Enthusiast member of the USBG, is a writer, photojournalist, and avid traveler who calls Willamette Valley, home.
"I have always been curious about far away places and the people who live there. All cultures tend to gather around the table to share food, drink, stories, and most important, kinship. My goal is to encourage women to solo travel, always be curious, and travel sans baggage. Journey through life as you would an airport. Travel, like life, is best experienced with minimal baggage."
In this blog, Michele describes her most recent trip to New Orleans, LA, where she participated in a number of educational cocktail seminars and events at Tales of the Cocktail 2022, alongside fellow USBG members.
The moment I read the announcement that Tales of the Cocktail (Tales) would be in person in 2022 I immediately booked a flight and texted my USBG besties! After two years of a virtual format, due to covid-19, Tales celebrated its 20th Anniversary at their new host hotel, the Ritz Carlton French Qtr. July 25th to 29th, 2022. While I could go on about the seminars, tastings, and events (there will be some of that) what I really got out of Tales this time were the connections and small acts of kindness I think we all needed.
I’ve attended Tales since 2017, but with two of those years attending from the comfort of my couch, it meant a lot to be back in the city most known for letting the good times roll. There is something special about New Orleans and how residents look out for each other. Same could be said for USBG members. Before I even arrived, there were members offering a helpful hand. Through the creation of a Facebook group by USBGNY member, @Tricia Rossiene, there was nonstop communication and advice to help navigate the potentially overwhelming Tales schedule and an offer to people needing support with housing. Financial barriers are a big obstacle for those wanting to attend Tales. I personally had not budgeted for an extra night caused by a flight change and having an offer of a safe space by fellow USBG members meant the world to me.
I strongly believe in the connection between people, food, and beverage. Traveling is the best opportunity to merge all three, and the Tales app, Whova, offered the best platform. I organized a dinner through the app for pre-Tales early arrivers. A flight delay meant I’d be late to dinner and another USBG member, @Todd Roy, from Cincinnati stepped in and offered to let me store my bag at his hotel and share an Uber. We made it in time and were seated outside in the beautiful garden at a French-Japanese New Orleans restaurant, N7. Food and conversation flowed amongst mainly strangers as I tried to adjust to the unfamiliar muggy air. Attending was @Kari Korenchen from Omaha, the first of many people I was looking forward to hugging! Kari and I met at Tales on Tour in Edinburgh, Scotland. We have stayed in touch and even roomed together at Portland Cocktail Week. After our memorable meal, we went to The Saturn Bar for Horses in Heat, an open-minded fundraiser debut of horse-masked costumed characters planning to participate in the traditional Horse Head Races come November.
Not sure my words could do justice for how amazing this was, but I kept thinking to myself, “Damn, I missed this city!”
Don’t just take my word for it! I gathered the thoughts of a few USBG members:
@Erik Puryear from Austin shared his best moment: “I see a community coming together once a year to not only have fun, but to learn, network, and make new friendship that can last a lifetime. The first day alone, was so eventful. I changed my flight just so I could get in line to add another Fernet Coin to my collection. As I waited in line for almost two hours, for the very limited number of coins, I started to talk to the people in line. People were from all over, some from Canada, Ohio, and New York. A few were Tales newbies, and I offered some friendly safety advice and links to some great private events that they had not heard about. Right before the coins were about to be given out they were doing wristband checks and for some reason mine was not setup right, and was told to exit the line 'till I had it remedied. Unfortunately, I did not manage to have it fixed before they started to hand out the coins. I was heartbroken and upset that I was going to miss out after all the effort I put into acquiring the Fernet coin. As I looked on in disbelief, I hear someone call my name. I look over and see the people I was standing in line with for over two hours. They tell me that they figured I probably would not make it back in time, so they got a coin for me. I was flabbergasted! That is what Tales is all about.”
Speaking of Newbies, my new friend @Todd Roy shared, “This was my experience of my 25-year career in the industry. My only regret is not going to Tales sooner. I got to meet incredible people from all over the world who are all as passionate about the industry as I am. I got to meet several of my bartending idols (@shannon mustipher, and @Jack McGarry) and got to start some incredible new friendships that I hope last a lifetime. My favorite seminar was Advocacy and Beyond. The four people running it were incredible. It was awesome to learn about the ways they are working to make things better for people in our industry, and we had an incredible discussion about ways that we can use the power our industry has to make all of our lives better. My favorite events I attended were the WSG party at the WWII museum and Chartreuse event at the pharmacy museum. I already am looking forward to next year and getting to hang out again with the new friends I made this year.”
@Marco Montaguano, Chicago USBG chapter member, attended Tales by volunteering. This is a great option for those traveling on a budget. By volunteering a set number of hours you earn a wristband to attend. “I was working as a bartender helping some brands, but the highlight for me was the Chartreuse swamp tour, Parry’s, with old friends. It felt amazing be able to share and meet new friends/ old friends as well.”
With so much going on I often suggest people create a calendar or literally a spreadsheet of all they want to see and do at Tales. This was felt by Orange County USBG member, @Michael Montez, who attended at the suggestion of his fellow chapter members. He shared, “The most I have taken away from this event is that there is not enough time to get to every event I wanted to attend. I thoroughly enjoyed the Aperitivo Hour with Nicola Olianas seminar. I appreciate when companies talk about family and bringing each other in to bond and relax. The best moments I had was bar hopping with the Fernet Branca team. They kept the groups included in the activities and looked out for one another.”
I agree. You can never go wrong hanging out with the Fernet team, especially when they end the night at Erin Rose for a frozen Irish coffee topped with a Fernet menta float.
President & Chairman of the USBG National Charity Foundation, @Kyle McHugh summed up what many of us felt, being there: “It felt so good to finally be back in New Orleans for the 20th anniversary of Tales of the Cocktail - all together with friends and colleagues from all over the world." For Samson & Surrey, who McHugh is the Director of Brand Advocacy, it was the busiest Tales, to date. “We did 26 activations over the span of five days, supporting our amazing NOLA partner accounts during the slow season and showcasing our amazing brands with Tales attendees and locals, alike,” McHugh beamed. I will add they had the best spin on a pool party by renting U-haul trucks lining them with plastic and filling them with water. Their brand, Few whiskey, also hosted a delicious dinner at Toups Meatery, pork belly corn dogs, need I say more?
“It’s always great to celebrate the amazing talent and wonderful people in our industry, and Tales always does a very special job of this,” added McHugh. “Was particularly happy to see my dear friend and colleague, @Lynn House, take home the Best US Brand Ambassador award this year, and local son and friend, @Chris Hannah, earn the US Bartender of the Year prize, along with his beloved Jewel of the South being crowned Best US Restaurant Bar.”
My highlights were focused on the agave and other Mexican spirits. I even started my Tales with National Tequila Day at a hosted event with Patrón Tequila. As a freelance writer, Mexican spirits have become my focus, and I’m always learning as I go (and sip). There were several seminars focused on Mexican spirits, the history of corn and agave, plus a plethora of tasing opportunities thanks to Casa Lumbre Spirits... Best Tales tasting moment was the opportunity to try new spirits, something that often occurs at Tales. Mijenta tequila and very new Las Californias Gin were my two best sips. I also was treated to the yet-to-be released, 7 Luguas Siete Decadas Anniversary blanco tequila and San Bartolo Mezcal Artesanal.
Get involved, even if not officially. I organized the 1st Swag Swap on the last day for people to share, trade, and give away from the many branded items gifted that now don’t fit in your suitcase. It’s been suggested I make this official (potential sponsors needed - lol). My experience was epic, because we all joined together, connected by a love of the service industry, to make the Tales of the Cocktails 20th anniversary a celebration to remember.
#TOTC2022 #TOTC #sitecontributorAnother busy group was Preiss Imports, who had several pop ups around the quarter as well as tables at the Indie Spirits tasting event. I beat the rain and attended their local cigar event, where as much as I wanted to try my hand at rolling a cigar I left it to the expert at the Cigar Factory and sipped a new-to-me Filipino Gin ARC Archipelago. The Oregon team of Strongwater Beverages (SWB) was on hand to help pour all the delicious options from this small importer’s constantly growing portfolio. The SWB team also assisted Fidencio Spirits at their tables and event. They rep some of my favorite mezcals, including Derrumbes.
Also well represented at Tales this year through seminars, tastings, and parties was the growing category of non-alcoholic spirits. Lyres offered a fun aquatic party for those wondering what it would be like to be a synchronized swimmer. Official sponsor, Perrier, not only kept us hydrated, but fed too. They had a running tab at nearby Killer Po-boys for anyone with a Tales' volunteer.
There were plenty of pool parties and creative after-parties. Did I mention a few branded tattoos were had? Some branded events had lines a bit too long for the heat, with well equipped brand ambassadors on hand walking the line and offering snow cones, fans, water, and high fives. The little touches added at several branded events made it all amazing, and making friends in line was common. The weather didn’t always cooperate, but no one seemed to care. Tales is really about what you put into it. I always suggest attending as many seminars and tastings as possible.
Get involved, even if not officially. I organized the 1st Swag Swap on the last day for people to share, trade, and give away from the many branded items gifted that now don’t fit in your suitcase. It’s been suggested I make this official (potential sponsors needed - lol). My experience was epic, because we all joined together, connected by a love of the service industry, to make the Tales of the Cocktails 20th anniversary a celebration to remember.
#TOTC2022 #TOTC #sitecontributor