Brian Van Flandern Joins Southern Glazer’s

Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits of Nevada announced today the appointment of Brian Van Flandern as the new executive director of mixology, spirit education and special events.

The award-winning author and mixologist brings the beverage distribution company over 25 years of expertise in mixology and spirits.

Prior to joining Southern Glazer’s, Van Flandern was president and founder of his mixology consulting firm, Creative Cocktail Consultants. He focused on spirits education, creating cocktail lists and training bartenders in the art of mixology, spirits education and Michelin three-star hospitality dining and beverage standards. He also designed and implemented successful cocktail programs for luxury properties and prestigious clientele, such as famous chefs Thomas Keller, Geoffrey Zakarian and more.

“Brian Van Flandern’s reputation proceeds him and we are humbled to have him as our newest addition,” says Ian Staller, EVP and GM of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits of Nevada. “His thorough knowledge of the industry will truly allow our company to continue to grow our beverage education programs and inspire the next leading mixologists in Las Vegas.”

Throughout his extensive career, Van Flandern has been awarded numerous honors, including “America’s Top Mixologist” by The Food Network, “One of the Top Ten Hotel Bartenders in the World” by Travel + Leisure Magazine and “Top Ten Cocktail Books of the Year” at Tales of the Cocktail for his second book, Craft Cocktails.

Among these distinguished accomplishments, he was also appointed by Diageo, the world’s largest producer of spirits, as their first-ever global brand ambassador and is a certified Spirits Professional by the United States Bartending Guild, of which he is a founding board member for their New York Chapter, which is now the largest chapter in the country.

No stranger to the spotlight, Van Flandern has been featured on Spike TV’s “Bar Rescue,” The Food Network’s “The Barefoot Contessa,” CBS’s “The Early Show” and The Cooking Channel’s “Foodography,” as well as “The Wall Street Journal Live” and “Market Maker” on Bloomberg Channel. He has also been included in The Wall Street Journal and Food Arts Magazine for his innovative cocktail recipes. Van Flandern has written four books, with his fifth book, Whiskey Cocktails, set for release in fall 2018.

In addition to his books, his libation recipes can be found in fine restaurants, resorts and cruise lines in over forty countries worldwide.

As part of his responsibilities in his new role, Van Flandern will oversee Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits Academy, where industry professionals can learn from master mixologists, spirits experts, master sommeliers and cicerones. The program focuses on elevating the local beverage program while inspiring and educating bartenders and mixologists across the valley.