The greatest of competitions are being held this weekend. It’s the Penguins vs. Sharks, the Warriors vs. the Cavaliers, and the Giants vs. Dodgers. And there is the fifth-annual Tahoe Blue Vodka Bloody Mary Contest.
The no-garnish barred drinking event is at South Shore’s popular locals’ bar, Steamers Bar and Grill, from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
“This is the only Bloody Mary competition in the Lake Tahoe Basin, and we have hand selected the 12 best bartenders from around the lake,” said Mike Peron of FNCTN, promoters for the event. “From what they’ve shared with us so far about their recipes, our guests are going to be blown away.”
Ghost peppers, lobster tails, homemade bacon straws and cheeseburger sliders were some of the concoctions’ accoutrements at last year’s event.
Live music will be featured outdoors with the Connor Party. The band includes two brothers, Jeff and Adam Connor, hailing from the Finger Lakes of New York. They play upbeat Americana, combining acoustic folk and storytelling with jazz-infused electric guitar.
There also be a raffle with prizes that benefits the League to Save Lake Tahoe. The event is free and open to all ages. Tastings are $10 for folks 21 and older.
There is a $500 cash purse on the line, $250 for the People’s Choice and $250 for the Celebrity Judges’ Choice.
Matty Hellman, a bartender at Carson Valley Inn in Minden, is looking forward to this year’s Bloody Mary faceoff. He recently organized a similar, well-attended contest at Nevada Ugly in the Carson Valley a will serve as a judge at the Steamers event. Last year, he won a People’s Choice award at a Tahoe Blue Vodka cocktail-making contest at the Lake Tahoe bar and grill. Hellman assured that a good time will be had by all on Sunday.
Steamers is just east of “The Y” in South Lake Tahoe, at 2236 Lake Tahoe Boulevard.
- Bartender Lineup
- Coldwater Brewery – Jacob & Whitney
Mt. Rose Mixers – Tiffany & Josh
Basecamp Pizza – Jillian Raney
Ninkasi Brewery – Aimi X
Crystal Bay Club – Tyler Taylor
Turn 3 – Sarah Moss
Brothers Bar – George
Gunbarrel Tavern – Christine Riddle
The Loft Tahoe – Jammer
California Burger Co. – Becca Starkey
BuckaRoos –Chris Patrick
McPs Taphouse – Brie Stehlic
The Connor Party will be on the back patio at Steamers.
