Behind the scenes of your favorite cocktail bar is a force operating to make sure you receive the best tasting adult beverage(s) in Philadelphia. This organization is the Pennsylvania Chapter of the United States Bartender's Guild. The chapter was launched in the summer of 2009 and has since been actively promoting and educating Philadelphia's awesome cocktail culture. I recently sat down with Pheobe Esmon, president of the chapter, at Village Whiskey near Rittenhouse Square to discuss what the local chapter was up to.

As we sat down at the bar, I was presented with an experimental drink that Village Whiskey was considering putting on the menu called "Kentucky Breakfast." Among other things, it consisted of a raw egg, Cointreau (you know...orange juice), a bit of Stout beer (Coffee), Old Grand-Dad Bourbon, and some type of rendered pork fat (bacon/sausage). Needless to say, it was delicious even if I was a bit skeptical at first.

Once I got over my curiosity with the Kentucky Breakfast, I resumed pretending that I knew something about interviewing people. Luckily, Pheobe was more than willing to offer what information she had about her USBG chapter, so I didn't have to pull any Colbert Punches©.

The USBG is primarily operating as an educational and networking operation right now, offering workshops and networking events to inform their members about cutting edge mixology techniques along with bread and butter classic practices. The most important thing the chapter offers is an opportunity to build a community of beverage professionals in this city that will promote high quality drinks. As a consumer, we benefit because the more establishments that offer great quality and expertise, the less it will cost to obtain these delicious drinks; PLUS the level of innovation will invariably go up as friendly competition commences.

So, bottom line, PA's USBG chapter is a very good thing for all of us. Next time you're at your favorite bar, ask your bartender if he or she is a member.

You can discover more about the USBG at their website:

http://www.usbg.org