We went to A Patriotic Cocktail Competition and Tasting at The National Archives. It was emceed by Derek Brown, the first-ever Chief Spirits Advisor. We snapped him with Tasting Panel Magazine's Meridith May and the winner of the competition, Nick Maziejka, who used Western Spirits' Bird Dog peach and bourbon, Fernet-Vallet, coconut cream syrup, Darnley's View gin, muddled blueberries, and raspberries to make the Red, White and Fun drink.
After the competition, guests enjoyed cocktails and after-hours access to the museum, including guided tours of the exhibit, Spirited Republic: Alcohol in American History. Judges include Duane Sylvestre of Bourbon Steak, JP Fetherston of Mockingbird Hill and David Ferriero, the Archivist of the United States. Here, Level 3 Communications' Stacie Birkmeier, Army's Christina Shively and accountant Michelle Walter.
Spirited Republic explores the federal government’s efforts to change our drinking habits, from whiskey rations to the Whiskey Rebellion to Prohibition and beyond. It is free and open to the public through Jan. 10. Here, Navy's Jack Tozier and his wife, Claire, flank publisher Paula Montgomery.
