The must-attend on-trade drinks show is back

Read on for a small taster of what's on offer – and check out the full programme at Imbibe.com/live​​

CENTRE STAGE​

Highlights on the main stage for 2017 include the hotly contested final of Bartenders v Sommeliers; the ultimate UK bar showdown, Shakes & The City; and the final of Imbibe’s new competition Tapster of the Year.

Hidetsugu Ueno of Bar High Five is flying in from Tokyo for a session on Japanese bartending: Big in Japan, ​while world champion bartender Ryan Chetiyawardana will explore wild flavours in his session Taming Lyans. ​Jake Burger and Craig Harper will also examine A History of Drinks ​in six cocktails.

THE WINEMAKERS’ CELLAR​

Sommeliers can enjoy tasting sessions of Pinot with Radio-Coteau, hosted by winemaker Eric Sussman, and a Marchesi di Grésy Barbaresco Masterclass with Jeffrey Chilcott. Champagne is under the spotlight in a Pol Roger Vertical Tasting and a session on the ageing potential of non-vintage Champagne, Ageing Gracefully​ with Champagne Gosset.

WINE SESSIONS​

Improve your Blind Tasting Skills ​with Samantha Caporn MW or explore the volcanic wines of Italy’s south in Tasting Etna ​with Planeta’s winemaker Patricia Toth. You can also join Derek Mossman Knapp of the Garage Wine Company for a taste of Chile Rewind: 200 years BC. ​Professor Alex Maltman and Laura Ryhs MS will discuss the concept of minerality in wine ​while Hans Anstrom of South Africa's Klein Constantia​ will lead a vertical tasting of the winery’s Vin de Constance.

BEER & CIDER HUB​

Join Imbibe Live Cider Ambassador Tom Oliver to explore The Cider Pyramid​, while Beer Ambassador Mitch Adams shares the secrets of running successful beer events: You can also cast your vote in The IPA Challenge​, Imbibe Live’s beer competition for 2017, orlearn how to detect faulty beers in FlavorActiV’s Fault​ Busters​ session, and Angry Orchard’s Ryan Burk in An American Cidermaker in London​.

COCKTAIL LOUNGE​

Visitors can explore the Aperitivo​ with Naren Young of Dante’s in NYC or the art of Harvesting Blue Agave ​with Casa Herradura. Join Emil Âreng from Sweden's Open/Closed bar to discover Scandi-style cocktails in Northern Lights​, or find out Why Bitter Is Better with ​Simone Caporale and Giuseppe Gallo. Maxxium and The Macallan’s ‘Master of Wood’, Stuart MacPherson, will also be investigating the world of whisky maturation in Craft of the Cask​.

TASTE ZONE​

Discover Rhum Agricole ​with rum ambassador, Ian Burrell, or join beer sommelier Ed Hughes for a beer-and-food-matching masterclass. Explore the Flavours of Japan ​with food from MasterChef winner Tim Anderson and wines paired by Saturday Kitchen presenter Jane Parkinson; or taste Japanese Whiskey ​with Dave Broom.

THE ACADEMY​

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust will be offering taster courses including Food & Wine Pairing ​and An Introduction to Saké, ​while cider experts Tom Oliver and Gabe Cook will make sure you Know Your Cider​. Imbibe Live Wine Ambassador Xavier Rousset MS and Spirit Ambassador Stuart McCluskey will share invaluable advice on launching your own venue in Going it Alone, ​while Imbibe Live Beer Ambassador Mitch Adams will advise on Cross-selling ​beers, wines and spirits in a range of venues.

Register for free here.​​