(June 23, 2011, San Francisco, CA) – San Francisco based importer Anchor Distilling Company has announced a full schedule of events for the Tales of the Cocktail festival next month. From Wednesday, July 20 through Friday, July 22, Anchor Distilling Company will showcase their diverse portfolio of brands in a variety of tasting rooms, seminars, and cocktail parties. In addition, Old Raj Gin is the featured gin in the Official Cocktail of Tales, the Rangoon Gin Fizz. The Official Cocktail will be served at Toast to Tales of the Cocktail 2011, Wednesday July 20, 2pm, 300 Block of Royal Street. Eric Simpkins the winner and creator of the cocktail will be in attendance.

On Wednesday, July 20, Anchor Distilling Company has banded together with America's leading Pisco brands to present the PISCO PAVILION from 10:30-12 p.m. featuring Don Cesar Pisco. The event will offer guests the unique, fun opportunity to taste a broad range of superb Piscos and meet with Pisco experts and enthusiasts. From Pisco lovers to curious new drinkers, there's something for everyone at the PISCO PAVILION.

Anchor Distilling Company will also be on hand at the 2nd Annual Cocktail Fresh Market from 5:30–7 p.m., featuring Luxardo, Pagès, No. 3 Gin, King’s Ginger Liqueur, and Chinaco. At Cocktail Fresh Market participating brands take a stand against soda guns, challenging bartenders to mix up delicious libations with only fresh, local produce and herbs as they dish out tips for a fresher approach to mixology.

On Thursday, Anchor Distilling Company will underwrite the Mysteries of Wood Maturation: From Cognac to Kentucky seminar from 10-11:30 a.m. with Dale DeGroff, Jean-Francois Chauvet from the Vicard cooperage in Cognac, Alain Royer, master Cognac blender and supplier for Anchor Distilling Company, Doug Frost, and Francesco Lafranconi. This seminar will be a detailed exploration of the art of cooperage, exploring differences between French oak, American oak, and beyond, as well as the different affects these woods have on the spirits they house.

Also on Thursday from 3-4:30 p.m. Anchor Distilling Company will underwrite Swizzling Around the World, Here and Now with Genevieve Gin, an in-depth look at the history and legacy of the swizzle in cultures around the world moderated by Stanislav Vadrna.

Thursday afternoon from 4:30–6 p.m. Anchor Distilling Company will participate in the Negroni with a Twist Party where guests will be invited to witness the world’s largest Negroni Cocktail ever made and experience variations of this classic cocktail which will include some of the finest Italian brands such as Luxardo, while mixing and mingling with internationally-awarded Italian mixologists.

Thursday evening Anchor Distilling Company will host the Spirited Dinner “A European Feast” at Feast New Orleans, featuring Pagès, Gonzalez Byass, Chateau du Breuil, Granier Mon Pastis, No. 3 Gin, Luxardo, English Harbour Rum, Curacao, and King’s Ginger Liqueur. The event will be a special five-course feast, pairing chef James Knight’s rustic European fare with the contemporary classic cocktails of Jackson Cannon from Eastern Standard Boston.

On Friday afternoon Anchor Distilling Company will host The Boston Cocktail Experience from 2:30–4 p.m. featuring Jackson Cannon of Eastern Standard and Island Creek Oyster Bar with John Gertsen and Misty Kalkofen of Drink, and Ben Sandrof. Some of Boston's best talent will showcase the Anchor portfolio, consisting of the finest collection of spirits from around the world.

Friday evening Anchor Distilling Company will participate in Meet the Craft Distillers from 5:30–7 p.m. featuring the Anchor Distilling portfolio. Guests are invited to meet 28 of the world’s top craft distillers as they sample their handiwork and discuss the artisan and sometimes old-fashioned techniques that make their spirits much “bigger” than the number of barrels they produce.

Complete details below. For more information on these events or on any of the featured brands please contact Rachel Merrill at 858-458-9172 ext. 116 or via email, rmerrill@anchorsf.com.

The Pisco Pavilion
Focus Brand: Don Cesar
Time: 10:30 AM to 12 PM
Date: Wednesday the 20th of July, 2011
Venue: The Royal Room C and D, Hotel Monteleone

Amid the cocktail renaissance bubbling up throughout the US, a clear, mixable spirit with a 400 year legacy called Pisco is a rapidly rising new star, with imports more than doubling this past year. Made from fresh wine distilled to proof through a copper still, Peruvian Pisco contains no additives, flavorings, or water, just the pure essence of the grape. Mixologists across the country are embracing Pisco for its remarkable mixability and many new brands are emerging, poised for the Pisco boom.

In an unprecedented spirit of cooperation, America's leading Pisco brands have banded together to bring you the PISCO PAVILION, a unique and fun opportunity to taste a broad range of superb Piscos and meet with Pisco experts and enthusiasts. Whether you are already a Pisco lover or a curious new drinker there's something for everyone at the PISCO PAVILION:

- Taste a wide variety of Piscos
- Understand how it is made
- Explore the different grape varietals and their flavor profiles
- Discover why it is considered the purest of all spirits
- Find out why Pisco is poised to provide an alternative to vodka, rum and gin as the "go to" clear spirit
- Learn techniques for mixing tantalizing Pisco cocktails far beyond Pisco Punches and Pisco Sours
- Rub elbows with noted Pisco personalities and experts, and more! All in one room!

Five copies of "The Pisco Book" will be given out to those who pass The Pisco Challenge!

Cocktail Fresh Market
Focus Brands: Luxardo, Pagès, No. 3 Gin, King’s Ginger Liqueur, Chinaco
Time: 5:30 PM to 7 PM
Date: Wednesday the 20th of July, 2011
Venue: The Queen Anne Ballroom, Hotel Monteleone

At Tales of the Cocktail 2011, we’re taking a stand against guns. Soda guns that is. Join us as at the 2nd Annual Cocktail Fresh Market as we holster our side arms and celebrate the fresh ingredients that make the world’s best cocktails. With ingredients from our local farmers market, fresh herbs, and much more, you’ll be able to sample some of the weekend’s freshest cocktails, and take home some thoughts on how to add a little freshness to your own mixing. Come try 18 of the freshest spirits!

Mysteries of Wood Maturation from Cognac to Kentucky
Time: 10 AM to 11:30 AM
Date: Thursday the 21st of July, 2011
Venue: La Nouvelle Orleans Ballroom, Hotel Monteleone
Moderators: Dale DeGroff
Panelists: Alain Royer, Doug Frost, Francesco Lafranconi

Discover (or rediscover) how a barrel is made brought to you by one of the key French cooperages. This passionate cooper will allow you to understand how much care, art and skill is necessary to build the perfect barrel for every spirit in the world. We will bridge the differences between French oaks from different regions to American oak and others from the 45th parallel around the world. What do they bring to the specific spirits they will be used for? How are they differently prepared: toasted or charred? Dale DeGroff, Jean-François Chauvet from the Vicard cooperage in Cognac, Doug Frost, Francesco Lafranconi and Alain Royer will introduce you to the stage of maturing spirits from the moment they flow out of the still. This is where the story begins.

Swizzling Around the World, Here and Now
Focus Brand: Genevieve Gin
Time: 3 PM to 4:30 PM
Date: Thursday the 21st of July, 2011
Venue: La Nouvelle Orleans Ballroom, Hotel Monteleone
Moderators: Stanislav Vadrna

This seminar will be an in-depth look at the history and legacy of the swizzle. Attendees will partake in the unique swizzle ritual and learn to understand the spirit of this simple but impressive technique and bar tool. Moderator Stanislav Vadrna will guide guests through the history of this style of drink, important people and places connected with swizzles throughout the ages, and much more.

The Negroni with a Twist Party
Focus Brand: Luxardo
Time: 4:30 PM to 6 PM
Date: Thursday the 21st of July, 2011
Venue: Acadia Suite, The Royal Sonesta Hotel

Guests are invited to witness and taste the world’s largest Negroni Cocktail ever made during Tales of the Cocktail 2011 on Thursday, July 21, from 4:30 to 6:00 pm in the Acadia Suite at the Royal Sonesta. The Negroni with a Twist Party is set in the beautiful context of this event, with the goal of promoting and celebrating Italy’s most famous cocktail, the Negroni, featuring recipe Campari, Beefeater 24 London Dry Gin, and Martini & Rossi Sweet Vermouth. Guests will also experience variations of this classic cocktail including some of the finest Italian brands like Luxardo, Aperol and Mionetto Prosecco.
Invited by Master of Ceremony Mr. Francesco Lafranconi, internationally-awarded Italian mixologists will be on hand to share their mixology expertise with the world’s most thirsty-for-knowledge audience. This historical team of experts (never together before!) will intrigue guests’ senses with unique twists inspired by this true Classic. The party will provide the opportunity for all guests to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the unity of Italy. For both the general public and VIPs in attendance, this will be an amazing chance to celebrate a small piece of the history and cultural identity of the nation of Italy.

Spirited Dinner – A European Feast
Focus Brands: Pagès, Gonzalez Byass, Chateau du Breuil, Granier Mon Pastis, No. 3 Gin, Luxardo, English Harbour Rum, Curacao, and King’s Ginger Liqueur
Time: 8 PM to 10:30 PM
Date: Thursday the 21st of July, 2011
Venue: Feast New Orleans
Chef: James Silk
Mixologist: Jackson Cannon

Join us on Thursday, July 21st at Feast New Orleans for a special five-course dinner, pairing chef James Knight’s rustic European fare with the contemporary classic cocktails of Jackson Cannon from Eastern Standard Boston. The flavors of Italy, France, Spain and England will be explored and expressed and you will have the opportunity to learn the history and heritage of The Anchor Distilling Company portfolio directly from artisan European spirits producers, Matteo Luxardo (Luxardo), Alain Royer (Pages Vedrenne), Felipe Gonzalez (Gonzalez Byass), and David King (Berry Bros. & Rudd).

Aperitivo Verano - Soberano Brandy, fresh muddled raspberry, Verveine du Velay, Champagne
Chilled Almond Soup with Grapes (Spain)
Scallops St. Jacques: Scallops with a Mushroom Brandy Cream Sauce (France)
Belle Normandie – Chateau du Breuil Calvados, Granier de Mon Pastis, Jackson's Vermouth Rouge
Parsley and Pancetta Salad with Grapefruit and Parmesan (Italy)
L'alto Stalone – No. 3 Gin, Luxardo Maraschino, fresh squeezed grapefruit, Abano float
Braised Pork Cheeks with Garlic Rutabaga and Kale (England)
Storm Port Old Fashioned - English Harbour 5 year Rum, Curacao de Curacao, Luxardo Fernet, orange oil
English Bread and Butter Pudding (England)
Flip Royal - King's Ginger Liqueur, rooibos infusion, whole egg, charged water, shaved spices
Price: $80
For Reservations please call: 504-304-6318

Anchor Distilling Company Presents: The Boston Cocktail Experience with Jackson Cannon
Time: 2:30 PM to 4 PM
Date: Friday the 22nd of July, 2011
Venue: The Royal Room C and D, Hotel Monteleone

Come learn about the diverse and artisanal line of spirits and liqueurs brought to you by Anchor Distilling Company shaken and stirred by Boston's top mixologists. Jackson Cannon of Eastern Standard and Island Creek Oyster Bar will host, along with John Gertsen and Misty Kalkofen of Drink, and Ben Sandrof. Some of Boston's best talent will showcase the Anchor portfolio, consisting of the finest collection of spirits from around the world. All are from family companies (many of which are multigenerational) and are sought by enthusiasts for their superior handcrafted artisanal qualities. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn the history and heritage of The Anchor Distilling Company portfolio directly from artisan spirits producers, Matteo Luxardo (Luxardo), Alain Royer (Pagès Vedrenne), Felipe Gonzalez (Gonzalez Byass), David King (Berry Bros. & Rudd), and Henry Preiss (Founder, Preiss Imports). Join us as we bring all that Boston has to offer to New Orleans.

Meet the Craft Distillers
Focus Brand: Anchor Distilling
Time: 5:30 PM to 7 PM
Date: Friday the 22nd of July, 2011
Venue: La Nouvelle Orleans Ballroom, Hotel Monteleone

In the last decade, the number of small distillers in the U.S. grew from a few dozen to more than two hundred today, now making an array of products from white spirits such as vodka and gin to wide varieties of liqueurs, aged whiskeys and brandies. Tales of the Cocktail was founded on entrepreneurial spirit and in 2011 will give our attendees a special opportunity to meet the artisans of our country’s craft distillers. Each of these craft distillers is producing alcoholic beverage spirits in annual quantities of fewer than 50,000 proof gallons using a pot still. The impact craft distillers have on the world of cocktails can’t be measured in the gallons of spirits they make. Their small batches of vodkas, gins, whiskeys, brandies, liqueurs and more add a whole different flavor to cocktails served around the world. Come meet 28 of the world’s top craft distillers as they sample their handiwork and discuss the artisan and sometimes old-fashioned techniques that make their spirits much bigger than the number of barrels they produce.