Yesterday we went to the press night for the Tequila & Mezcal Fest 2016 and that can only mean one thing: the festival itself is just around the corner. Which is excellent news!
We had a fantastic evening at Lupita East, who hosted the evening, meeting some of the brand ambassadors, sampling their wares and being witness to an epic battle of the brands to mix the best margarita. I am sure there was a winner, but after sipping so many tequilas and mezcals, and a couple of glasses of the excellent Patron Punch and of course trying all the different margaritas, things got a bit fuzzy. Sorry! Let’s just say, they were all excellent. Each and every one of them. (If I find out who won, I’ll let you know!)
But enough about last night, here’s what you need to know about Tequila & Mezcal Fest 2016:
Tequila & Mezcal Fest, the UK’s only festival dedicated exclusively to showcasing the spirits of the agave, returns for a third year on 17th and 18th September 2016.
Bigger than before (last year nearly 3000 visitors attended), this year’s event takes place in the Boiler House at the iconic Truman Brewery in East London’s Brick Lane. The venue will be transformed into a little slice of Mexico, where tequila and mescal enthusiast can meet the makers and taste the products, eat the best Mexican food London has to offer, buy Mexican crafts and groceries and listen to the best Mariachi music this side of the Atlantic.
Patrón Tequila will be returning to Tequila Fest in 2016 as a main sponsor, offering visitors the chance to taste their traditionally handcrafted 100% Weber Blue Agave tequilas including an exclusive opportunity to try (and buy) the ‘Margarita of The Year 2016’, as the Rosa Picante makes its first guest appearance outside of Mexico and North America.
Fentimans will be the official mixer sponsor of Tequila & Mezcal Fest 2016. A perfect match to Mexico’s most famous firewater, the brand will showcase two signature cocktails at the festival, one with Peloton de la Muerte Mezcal and the second one with headlining spirit Patron.
Some of the UK’s finest brand ambassadors and bartenders will be on hand to hold seminars and masterclasses on the art of Mexican cocktail making, such as the classic Margarita. Brands include Patron, Olmeca, Casco Viejo, Herradura, Ocho, Fortaleza, El Jolgorio Mezcal, Nuestra Soledad Mezcal, Mezcales de Leyenda, Amores Mezcal.
Foodies are catered for by some of the capital’s best and most authentic Mexican restaurants: Lupita, Camion, Cafe Pacifico, Condesa, Wahaca are serving up some of their famous signature dishes and Barrio Bars is on hand to serve the best tequila and mezcal cocktails.
To contribute to the Mexican atmosphere there will be entertainment from a mariachi band and folklore dancers, an Aztec ceremony performance, an art exhibition by Honorio Robledo and a photographic exhibition dedicated to the agave process.
Tequila & Mezcal Fest aims to educate consumers on how to drink and enjoy Mexico’s greatest export, especially those who still think it is just a shot you drink to get drunk – there will be no salt and lime, slammers and definitely no tiny novelty sombreros.
To make the day as enjoyable as possible for everybody and to ensure there’s enough agave love to go around, both Saturday and Sunday will be broken up into two sessions, afternoon and evening.
All you have to do now is to decide when to go, buy your ticket and enjoy!
Oh, and tell all your friends!
Session times:
Saturday Afternoon: from 12noon to 4:30pm
Saturday Evening: from 5pm to 9:30pm
Sunday Afternoon: from 11:30am to 4pm
Sunday evening from 4:30 to 9pm
Tickets:
Early bird £15 or £20 at the door
http://www.tequilafest.co.uk/buy-now-london/
Place: The Boiler House at the Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London
Website: http://www.tequilafest.co.uk/tequilafest_home/
London-Olios 