Whanganui's Red Lion Inn aiming to be named best Heineken bar

Red Lion Inn bar staff (from left) Laura O'Keeffe, Tessa Hunt (manager) and Mary Price are vying to be named best bartender in New Zealand.

Whanganui's Red Lion Inn is a finalist in the 2018 best Heineken bar competition and three staff are in the running to be named best bartender.

Manager Tessa Hunt said it was the first time the Red Lion had been eligible for the competition.

"We've had Heineken on tap for about eight months so this is the first time we've been able to enter," Hunt said.

"The bar is a finalist nationwide and three bar staff are in the individual competition. It's a pretty big deal."

Hunt and staff Laura O'Keeffe and Mary Price competed on Thursday, May 31, for a place in the national final. The five steps to pouring the perfect beer are rinse, pour, skim, check and serve.

Unlock all articles by subscribing to this international offer

All-Access + BusinessDesk Weekly

Herald Premium, Viva Premium, The Listener & BusinessDesk

Pay just

$10

$2

per week

See all offers

Already a subscriber? Sign in here

Or

Judges are visiting eligible bars throughout New Zealand and will pick the best 16 beer pourers to compete in the final in Auckland in July.

"The top 16 will have a head-to-head battle in the Heineken pouring competition," Hunt said.

The national winner goes on to compete for the international title.

Hunt has worked at the Red Lion for 18 months while Price has been there for 12 months and O'Keefe for six months.