Editor’s note: Jason Schoonover judged the third annual Best Bartender’s competition at the Hormel Historic Home Wednesday night, giving him a unique perspective to tell the story of the fun competition.

Before competing to be crowned champion of the Hormel Historic Home’s third annual Best Bartender competition, the four bartenders in the mix admitted the competition isn’t like a normal day’s work.

“As a bartender it’s very, very intimidating because everybody’s sitting, watching every move you make,” said Sarah (Overocker) Srsen of Sweet’s Hotel, the 2013 winner. “Even though that’s the case at a bar … it’s different. It’s very nerve-wracking.”

The bartenders are taken out of the comfort zone of their usual workplace, asked to craft unique drinks and be judged by a panel of three judges and the public that also gets to sample their drinks.

But by the end of the night and with a table full of samples, the pressure switched to the judges tasked with picking a winner.

When the points were tallied, the winner of Best Bartenders contest at the Hormel Historic Home was Lyle native Dan Slowinski.

As one of three judges, picking a winner felt like splitting hairs as all were worthy of winning. Along with Slowinski and Srsen, Hormel Historic Home Bartenders Lukas Harrington and Samantha Reimers also competed.

HHH Executive Director Holly Johnson described the contest as a fun event meant to showcase venues and bartenders to the public.

“It’s good for everybody all the way around,” Johnson said.

Along with the three judges, the roughly 90 people participating also got to sample the drinks

“The enthusiasm amongst the people coming has been very strong,” she said.

The judges and the drinks

Along with myself, the other two judges were Pam Retterath, the clinical director at Gerard Academy, and Dan Opstad, the assistant manager at Hy-Vee. Retterath was the fun judge, just a blast to judge with.

“It’s fun,” Retterath assured me beforehand, and indeed it was.

Opstad was the connoisseur of the trio. Having worked at bars and in Hy-Vee’s liquor store, he knew his stuff and could pick out ingredients and subtle differences in the drinks.

Picking a winner was no easy task, as each judge boasted different tastes and preferences.

The signature drink — a drink crafted by each bartender — and the best martini were perhaps the two most telling categories.

The signature drink, the first of the night, showed the differences in the bartenders and the differences in the judges’ preferences.

Harrington followed a speakeasy theme and his drinks followed suit. His signature drink was The Whistle, a smokey, Makers Mark-based drink — one I liked more than the other judges. His martini was The Flapper, a Blackberry-based drink garnished with an orange peel and blackberry. It was a knockout — my favorite of the night.

Slowinski’s signature drink was the Goldrush Lemonade, a refreshing drink that tasted like pink lemonade and would be a perfect Fourth of July drink. He then made a drink called Death by Chocolate for his martini, which was a bit like chocolate milk or a chocolate-based White Russian.

Srsen and her supporters from LeRoy followed a Minnesota Wild Theme, as Sweet’s is often packed on game night for Minnesota’s NHL club. Her signature was the Folin Crush, which was named for Christian Folin, a former Austin Bruin now playing for the Minnesota Wild. The UV Sugar Crush-based drink was one of the sweetest of the night.

Her martini — the Bohimi-Timi — was the most unique drink of the night. Made with Elderflower liqueur and hint of mint, this flowery drink reminded me of an herbal tea.

I want Reimers bartending every Halloween party. Reimers, fully embracing a Halloween theme, served a Bloody Pineapple, which featured grenadine, pineapple and vodka garnished with a syringe. It tasted like a new twist on a rum punch or a screwdriver. She also served a carmel apple martini that would be perfect for any Halloween get-together.

Along with the craft drinks, the bartenders competed in several other categories: best bloody Mary, a wine bottle opening and pour, fastest 10-drink order, and a stumper, which required each candidate to make a minder eraser.

90 judges

After Slowinski was crowned champion, one attendee voiced displeasure with the decision, preferring another bartender. I can’t blame her. All four bartenders were worthy of winning. And to be frank, it’s fair to question the judgment of three people that spent two-plus hours sampling alcoholic beverages.

After the contest, Opstad asked who I’d most want as my bartender. I was a bit at a loss. All four served great drinks and all had differing personalities I’d want in a bartender, depending on the evening and the setting. When pressed, I had to pick Harrington — the one who finished last in points — because I loved his speakeasy theme, the showmanship of how he poured his drinks using several cups, and his drinks best fit my tastes. They’re the kind of drinks I’d order.

Looking over Retterath and Opstad’s sheets, we all had vastly different rankings, just like I’m sure each of roughly 90 people in attendance favored different drinks and bartenders.

While all could have won, points from the best pour — an all-or-nothing from a points standpoint — and some of the speed categories tipped a close contest in Slowinski’s favor.

Next year, it’d be great to add more categories other than just a grand champion: drink of the night, people’s choice, best theme, etc.

If you weren’t able to get out Wednesday night, check out each of the bartenders at his or her business.

Slowinski serves at Whiskey Creek in Rochester. Harrington and Reimers serve at the HHH. Srsen serves at Sweets Hotel in LeRoy (which I’m told is hopping during Wild games and serves a killer prime rib on Saturdays).

Go check them out. Judge for yourself. After all, everyone’s taste and preference is different.

At the end of the night, the event was meant to be fun more than it was meant to be a competition. I’ll remember the tasty drinks more than I’ll remember the points or who won.