best mixaphiliac? someone needs to get out more.

This image was uploaded with my Ocean, tagged with "Best Sazerac I've ever had. Alembic and NOPA have serious competition here."

I take serious issue with the SF Chronicle piece Who excels at mixology? by Michael Bauer. He lists two wins, Beretta and NOPA -- but screws the pooch by not putting Alembic on the top of the list, not to mention the underground mixology "fight club" here in SF. It's real. It's got mixers getting serious in places such as the Palomar's Fifth Floor bar (pictured) and -- believe it or not -- the surprisingly fucking outrageous balance and creativity in the cocktails found at the Ritz Carlton. The first rule might be not to talk about Mix Club, but all you have to do is get in touch with the Tyler Durden behind the bar.