Bill Norris Joins Alamo Drafthouse as Beverage Director

Barman Bill Norris announced via Twitter last month that he was leaving Haddingtons, and now his new gig has been revealed: he is joining those crazy kids at the Alamo Drafthouse as their Beverage Director.

According to the press release below, Norris "will be developing a beverage program and will play a huge role in the development of Alamo's liquor program." Looks like we'll be seeing more Drafthouse locations with cocktail programs.

Drafthouse owner Tim League says Norris will "help us make sure that every liquid consumed at the Alamo and The Highball is delicious." A tall order! Norris himself tells Eater he's pumped about working with the Drafthouse's "beer nerds":

I'm thrilled to join the Drafthouse and Highball team. Right now, I'm getting my feet wet by learning how the system works. Over the coming months, we'll be rolling out new drink options, while keeping up the terrific program established by the awesome resident beer nerds.

Here's the press release:

ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE ANNOUNCES BILL NORRIS AS THE NEW BEVERAGE DIRECTOR

Austin, TX--- Thursday, July 14, 2011--- Alamo Drafthouse is pleased to announce Bill Norris has joined the Alamo team as Beverage Director. For seventeen years, Bill has poured drinks in venues from the Jersey Shore to London to New York to Austin, winning numerous awards and cocktail competitions along the way, including the Texas Regional Champion in the 2008 Cocktail World Cup, a member of the 2nd Place Team in the 2008 Cocktail World Cup Final in Queenstown, New Zealand along with Austin Chronicle Reader’s Poll winner for “Best Mixologist. In 2009, 2010 & 2011, he was a finalist in the United States Bartender’s Guild National Cocktail Competition. Bill was part of the opening staff at the now well-known FINO where he helped establish the restaurant as one of the best places to enjoy the art of the modern cocktail in Austin. Most recently, Bill was responsible for creating the nationally recognized bar program at Haddingtons. For the Alamo Drafthouse Bill will be developing a beverage program and will play a huge role in the development of Alamo’s liquor program. In these initiatives Bill will be working with all Alamo Drafthouse locations as well as The Highball to ensure patrons have access to the most innovative and distinctive cocktails available.

"I've been a huge fan of Bill Norris since he was crafting cocktails at FINO. He's been my hands-down favorite bartender ever since. Bill is passionate about what he does and is the perfect person to help us make sure that every liquid consumed at the Alamo and The Highball is delicious,” said Tim League.

· All Bill Norris Coverage on Eater Austin [-EATX-]
· All Alamo Drafthouse Coverage on Eater Austin [-EATX-]

Bill Norris. [Photo: Annie Ray / Alamo Drafthouse]