Craft Clash: Austin SpeedRailz Cocktail Competition at Cabana Club – Austin, TX

Presented by Waterloo Gin

Powered by Disgo

Craft Clash is the official craft cocktail showcase of the SpeedRailz Relay season, bringing together Austin’s most creative bartenders for a night of competition, community, and culture.

Competing in two-person teams, bartenders will design and present original cocktails featuring Waterloo Gin as the primary spirit. Each team will take the stage to explain their concept, flavor profile, and inspiration before serving judges live.

This is not a speed round.

This is about creativity, balance, storytelling, and execution.

The Competition FormatTeams of two bartenders per venue

Each team presents one original craft cocktail

Cocktails are judged on:

• Concept & creativity
• Flavor balance and technique
• Use of the featured spirit
• Presentation and storytelling
• Judges score each presentation live

Cash prize awarded to the top-scoring team

This competition sets the tone for the rest of the SpeedRailz Relay season and directly feeds into overall team rankings.

Featured Spirit: Waterloo Gin “Prickly Pear & Rose”

This year’s Craft Clash highlights Waterloo Gin, a Texas-made gin known for its clean botanical profile and versatility behind the bar.

Competitors are challenged to showcase how the spirit can:

• Anchor a thoughtful cocktail concept
• Translate into a menu-ready drink
• Appeal to modern guests and event audiences

Craft Clash gives guests and judges a front-row seat to how bartenders think, build, and communicate their craft.

Community & Discovery Powered by Disgo

Craft Clash is powered by Disgo, a restaurant, bar, and bartender discovery platform designed to surface great hospitality experiences through trusted recommendations.

Guests attending Craft Clash will be able to:

• Discover participating bars and bartenders
• Engage with the competition in real time
• Learn how community feedback and visibility play a role in the SpeedRailz ecosystem

Disgo plays a key role throughout the season by connecting competition performance with real guest engagement.

Who Should Attend

• Bartenders and bar managers
• Beverage directors and operators
• Hospitality professionals and creatives
• Industry supporters and brand partners
• Guests who love great cocktails and storytelling

Whether you’re competing, scouting talent, or just there to experience the energy, Craft Clash is designed to feel immersive and accessible.

Why Craft Clash Matters

Craft Clash is more than a cocktail competition.

It’s where:

• Bartenders practice presenting their ideas publicly
• Venues showcase the depth of their programs
• Brands connect with operators in a real setting
• Community starts forming before the speed rounds even begin

This event kicks off the creative lane of the SpeedRailz Relay and sets the tone for the months ahead.