Monkey Shoulder’s Ultimate Bartender Championship returns to Indonesia in 2024, showcasing the nation’s top bartending talent through a series of thrilling, high-energy challenges that put creativity and skill to the test.
Monkey Shoulder’s Ultimate Bartender Championship (UBC) returns bigger than ever, showcasing Indonesia’s top bartending talent. As one of the largest bartending competitions globally, the 2024 Indonesian edition raised the stakes, expanding to five cities: Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya, Bandung and Semarang.
Designed to break the mould of conventional competitions, UBC adds a fun, high-energy twist to bartending with scotch. Participants take part in various challenges that put essential bartending skills to the test. From quick-fire quizzes on industry knowledge to the Perfect Serve Challenge, where they must create a Monkey Sour cocktail judged on speed, balance, and customer satisfaction, UBC highlights both skill and entertainment.
This year, 360 mixologists competed over three weeks, with five emerging as city champions. Putu Agus Setiawan claimed the title of National Winner of UBC 2024. Along with bragging rights, the top two finishers from each city also received gifts, such as a bottle of Monkey Shoulder and a two-night bartending course called Monkey Camp, taught by Monkey Shoulder Brand Ambassadors. Putu Agus Setiawan, as the national champion, also received a UBC ring and will represent Indonesia in the international finals in Taipei, Taiwan, in 2025.
What sets UBC apart is its unique set of challenges, such as the Pouring Challenge, Nosing Challenge and Table Service Challenge, all designed to test the precision, speed, and creativity of each bartender. The final showdown is the Round Building Challenge, where finalists race against the clock to make multiple drinks with accuracy and flair.
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