Heineken® crowns the Eddy Jay Jaimin as World’s Best Bartender 2016

Congratulations to Eddy Jay Jaimin, a Sabahan bartender from The Beer Factory Express who represented Malaysia at the Heineken Global Bartender Final, and bagged the Heineken World’s Best Bartender title of 2016. 

Eddy won the grand prize of two tickets to the Heineken Ibiza Final 2016

16 Bartenders across the world competed in the prestigious Heineken Global Bartender Final, held in the company’s home city of Amsterdam, and showcased precision draught beer pouring to a hand-picked judging panel of industry experts. 

In front of a packed audience, the Sabahan defeated 15 other finalists, showing his determination, consistency and wonderful showmanship. He was crowned Heineken® World’s Best Bartender of 2016. He will also serve as an official brand ambassador for Heineken® at events across the world.

Ksenia Khalina, Head of Global Heineken Trade Marketing says, “This fiercely fought competition is part of our Star Serve programme, the aim of which is to safeguard the quality of our draught beer to ensure it is served in a consistent, high-quality manner. Thanks to the Heineken Global Bartender Final, we are giving bartenders an added incentive while raising standards every time a beer is poured.”

Performing the 5-steps of the Star Serve pouring ritual, finalists rinsed, poured, skimmed, checked and served their winning beers. They impressed the judges, by each showing off the Star Factor to help them stand out from the crowd.

Finalists were put through the pole positioning round, followed by the main selection round (knockout round), where Eddy was consistently the top scorer for both. Eddy persevered through the Semi-Final, and defeated the New Zealander in the Final round.  

Following national finals in 16 countries across the world, the ‘best of the best’ met in Amsterdam. The event took place at Stadsschouwburg in Amsterdam, where the finalists showed their Star Factor in front of an expert jury consisting of Eric de Kock – CEO of Dutch Bartender Competition Organisation & Draught Beer Specialist, Ksenia Khalina – Head of Global Heineken Trade Marketing, and Tatiana Mercer – Managing Director and Founder of BarChick. 

New champion Eddy, 26, commented on his win, “It’s one of my greatest achievements to be the 2016 Heineken Global Bartender Champion. I received a lot of support from my colleagues and family in Malaysia and I’m looking forward to sharing my success with them!”

Judge Eric de Kock believes Eddy stood out from the rest because of his natural talent, and commended, “All participants have extraordinary draught skills, but Eddy stood out with a certain flair that separated the good bartenders from the great ones.”

Eddy’s journey started off when GABPS Academy, the professional training arm of Guinness Anchor Berhad (GAB), trained more than 1,200 participants from more than 300 outlets nationwide in 2015. With his outstanding results based on theoretical and practical assessments, he advanced to the Regional Final, defeating the top 30 finalists, and proved he had what it takes to represent Malaysia at the National Finals. GABPS Academy anchors the Heineken Star Serve programme in Malaysia.

Upon receiving the news, Heineken Malaysia’s Marketing Manager, Loh Ee Lin commented, “We are extremely delighted that Eddy has made Malaysia proud, and brought home the World’s Best Bartender title. The Star Serve programme is to make sure that bartenders are trained to treat the beer properly, and to make sure each glass of Heineken is served perfectly. The aim is to deliver a perfectly served Heineken, every time.

.: Peace Out :.