As some of the brightest names in the spirits world gather this week in New Orleans for the annual Tales of the Cocktail, the premier cocktail festival, they will be joined by Will Hollingsworth of the Spotted Owl.
“We’re going to be doing an extended pop-up at SoBou, a restaurant that is part of the Commander’s Palace family in the French Quarter, during Tales of the Cocktail next week,” Hollingsworth explains. “It’s a big honor for us to be asked to stand alongside such a restaurant group as Commander’s Palace, and the whole thing is bizarre and terrifying.”
While the Spotted Owl is out of commission for the better part of this week, it will reopen under the Masthead Brewery flag this coming weekend. The unique arrangement was hatched, no doubt, over beers and Fernet by Hollingsworth and Masthead GM Jeff Draeger.
“A few months ago, Will Hollingsworth approached me about Masthead taking over the Spotted Owl for the weekend while he takes his entire staff to New Orleans for the Tales of the Cocktail competition,” Draeger explains. “Without hesitation I immediately accepted as this is an awesome opportunity for not only Masthead, but our staff, myself included. The Spotted Owl has a national reputation as a premier cocktail bar, and we both know how selective Will is about everything.”
From Friday through Sunday, Masthead will be steering the ship, pouring their beers, and mixing the Owl’s cocktails. The Masthead staff has been training at the Owl in preparation. Beer fans can expect a full lineup of fresh beer, including the downtown brewery's IPA, Wit, Witness Me Double IPA, Malt Liquor and the new limited release Underverse Rye Barrel Aged Imperial Stout.
On Sunday, the good folks from Comeback City BBQ will be serving up some good and smoky grub.
It will be business as usual at Masthead Brewery throughout the takeover event.
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