All images courtesy of Anna Bruce
Life is so full of strange coincidences. When I attended a preview drink for Tequila Fest 2014 - the UK's first tequila and mezcal festival - I didn't realise that the pictures accompanying the invite were taken by the daughter of a good friend. While me and Mat have enjoyed some recent trips to Scotland and France to sample a drink or two, Anna Bruce spent a little longer in Mexico documenting the production of mezcal and tequila.
The photos Anna took have been on show at a number of exhibitions and we've been lucky enough to grab a couple for the blog. They're amazing shots of a process I'm sure not many people are familiar with. Mezcal and tequila are both made from agave, a large, slightly alien looking succulent, closely related to the aloe plants (think aloe vera). Tequila is only made from blue agave, whereas mezcal can be made from any agave - that’s one of the main differences, if you wondered.
The process looks fairly hands-on, I imagine more so than the spirits you find in the UK. Hot, backbreaking work under the Mexican sun. Not really for me! I've always been keen on a trip to Mexico. These photos and the drinks on show at the preview reinforced that. The closest I'm likely to get any time soon is Tequila Fest, London, at the end of November, but perhaps next year Mexico could knock Japan off the top spot as the next destination to visit.
The organisers of Tequila Fest were kind enough to give us a discount on tickets, so you can save about 15% with the code "bucketspades" when you book online.
I hope folks get to visit the festival at least. If you're off to Mexico (or have just been) let us know! We love to hear travel stories, share them @nikspeller. - Nik
The photos Anna took have been on show at a number of exhibitions and we've been lucky enough to grab a couple for the blog. They're amazing shots of a process I'm sure not many people are familiar with. Mezcal and tequila are both made from agave, a large, slightly alien looking succulent, closely related to the aloe plants (think aloe vera). Tequila is only made from blue agave, whereas mezcal can be made from any agave - that’s one of the main differences, if you wondered.
The process looks fairly hands-on, I imagine more so than the spirits you find in the UK. Hot, backbreaking work under the Mexican sun. Not really for me! I've always been keen on a trip to Mexico. These photos and the drinks on show at the preview reinforced that. The closest I'm likely to get any time soon is Tequila Fest, London, at the end of November, but perhaps next year Mexico could knock Japan off the top spot as the next destination to visit.
The organisers of Tequila Fest were kind enough to give us a discount on tickets, so you can save about 15% with the code "bucketspades" when you book online.
I hope folks get to visit the festival at least. If you're off to Mexico (or have just been) let us know! We love to hear travel stories, share them @nikspeller. - Nik
You can find Nik at - Conrad's Beer | Twitter | Instagram
Wow, how fun is this? I've never been to nor heard of a tequila fest, but I'm not surprised. I'd love to go. :] // itsCarmen.com ☼ ☯
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to Mexico since 2012, but would love to go back and have 10-20 margaritas! Definitely a good time!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like great fun, doesn't it? This will be the first in the UK, but they're looking to expand next year across Europe. I'm sure there are some States-side ones too. You guys must drink a bit more tequila than we do... ;-)
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha! Can I come with you? 10-20 margaritas sounds like fun.
ReplyDeleteThese pictures are really beautiful. The plant looks so unusual. I do my best to stay away from Tequila these days as the night always seems to end badly when I drink it! Yikes.
ReplyDeletexx
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They're amazing, aren't they. A really talented photographer. Yeah, the tequila guys are really trying to get folks to sip rather than slam their drinks. It's a far nicer way of drinking it and definitely leads to a better head the next day... ;-)
ReplyDeleteyou have a big heart.thanks for inspiring! btw which fashion designer inspired u most?www.robecart.com
ReplyDeleteStunning photos!
ReplyDeleteAren't they just.
ReplyDeleteI second that!
ReplyDelete