DUNDEE bartender Bréagha Wolfgang has been named the winner of Fernet Branca’s 2020 Coin Design Challenge.
The UK-wide competition challenged bartenders to design a coin that highlighted ‘what makes the industry great’.
Bréagha, of Draffens in Dundee, triumphed over 170 other entrants to win the 2020 contest. In total 3000 votes were cast in this year’s competition.
The Fernet Branca coins are distributed by brand representatives to select bartenders around the world. Coin holders are encouraged to produce their coin in venues and ‘challenge’ another bartender. If that bartender doesn’t have a coin they have to buy the coin-bearer a drink.
Bréagha’s win is the latest Fernet Branca success for Dundee bars group Macmerry 300. The 2018 competition was won by Turtle Higgins of Draffens sister bar, Bird & Bear.
“My coin design was inspired by reflecting on the tough times and stress we all go through in this industry and how incredible it is that our communities support and lift each other during those times,” said Bréagha.
“The ‘cheers’ around the edge of the coin is about seeing each other as an equal part in life, drinking to new friends and to those we’ve lost along the way which I think defines our industry well.
“Winning this means a whole lot to me; getting given a Fernet coin was such an incredible relief after working so hard for so long and now having my very own coin design – that’s something I will never forget the feeling of.
“I feel very lucky to be a part of this and following another Dundee coin from 2018 is an honour. I am very proud of myself.“
Poppy Croft, UK Fratelli Branca brand manager at Hi-Spirits, the UK distributor of Fernet Branca, said the competition was launched just after the UK entered lockdown “to show solidarity and support to the incredible bartenders in the UK who, at that point, had literally no idea of what was ahead”.
“Seeing the influx of designs was emotional, the level of creativity of the artwork and how they captured the current feeling was so powerful,” said Croft.
“Bréagha’s design really stood out, reflecting the camaraderie of the industry in the face of stark adversity, a truly well-deserved win and I’d also like to congratulate all the runners up for their incredible designs. We hope to raise a Fernet with them all soon!”
