Bartender Brian Zachau finally got the monkey off his back. The 32-year-old Twin Cities man has been a bottle-flipping flair bartender for years, finishing in second place four times at TGI Friday's World Bartender Championship. He traveled to Dallas this past weekend for one last shot.
"I had prepared myself to move out of the way of the winner, so I wouldn't be in the background of the winner's photo," he said.
But that wasn't to be. Zachau finally took the top prize, beating out bartenders from around the globe. He won $10,000 and the distinction of being the first U.S. competitor to be crowned champion in 13 years. Zachau's home base is the Maple Grove TGI Friday's.
"After chasing a goal for a decade and being so close so many times, it really took some time to sink in," he said.
One thing's for sure: Zachau won't be back next year to defend his title. One first-place win was enough.
More Joke Joints Apparently, comedy doesn't sleep in the suburbs. The owners of Bloomington's Joke Joint have opened another club, this one in Lilydale. Located in the same western-themed strip mall as the Moose Country bar/restaurant, the second Joke Joint is booking comics Thursday through Saturday. The two-level space, with a great balcony, was once Diamond Jim's Supper Club. "It has a bordello feel to it -- kind of naughty," said owner Ken Reed. This weekend, the very funny Darryl Lenox will bring his conversational, quick-witted humor to the new room. Expect Lenox to be super-polished -- Minneapolis' Stand Up! Records is recording his sets for Lenox's first comedy album.
8 and 10:30 p.m. Fri. and 7:30 and 10 p.m. Sat. 801 Sibley Memorial Hwy., Lilydale. $14. 612-327-0185. www.jokejointcomedyclub.com.
Northeast gets its own beer Since it's such a rare event, the release of a new beer by Grain Belt calls for a parade or something. Geez, it's been seven years since Premium Light was added to the classic Minnesota brand. But look at this: a new beer. In an homage to its northeast Minneapolis roots, Grain Belt has named its new brew Nordeast. Keeping with the theme, the American Amber lager will debut in northeast bars on Wednesday, with a wide release the following day. Keegan's Irish Pub will be the first to have it on draft, starting at 11 a.m. Wednesday (other Northeast bars includes Mayslack's, Legends, Grumpy's NE, 331 Club, NE Social Club and the Vegas Lounge and more).
