Hello,
I'm opening a bar here in Seattle soon and it time for me to start hunting for bar tools. Unfortunately some of the tools/products are only supplied by a few german companies (WMF and APSsupply) Despite trying to contact them repeatedly, I have been unable to order from either of them. Anyone else have this problem? Has anyone been successful? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
What is it that you're looking to buy?
Consultancy, training and events - www.evo-lution.org
Boker's Bitters and Dandelion & Burdock Bitters - www.bokersbitters.co.uk
The Jerry Thomas Project - www.thejerrythomasproject.blogspot.com
WMF Small Lounge fruit baskets
WMF Hotel boston shakers
WMF Hotel cheater tins
WMF Hotel Dasher tops (cork)
WMF Hotel bitters bottles (10.5oz)
or
APS bitters bottles (10.5oz)
APS Fine strainers
APS mesh soda siphons
APS Hawthorn strainers (silver plated)
some other odds and ends but all of it either comes from WMF or APS
I just sent Zane some contact's I have for WMF-USA and APS.
I was able to get an order some of the German products through WMF-USA in the past, although it wasn't necessarily easy, I'm not sure why they have different products distributed in Germany than they do here. I haven't ordered through APS yet, but a few bars in New York are.
Another European outfit that I've ordered from in the past is "Rist International" (http://www.rist.at/shop/kat_187/barartikel_getraenkeservice/index.html?page_content=shop), although the experience was far from enjoyable. I ordered several hundred dollars worth of stuff, and they just tossed them in a box without much padding, and many of the bitters bottles were broken upon arrival. I think they were trying to avoid repeat orders.
I absolutely LOVE the bitters bottles that are available in the Japanese Barware section of CocktailKingdom.com. While they produce a "lighter" dash then other bitters bottles, they are a lot more accurate from start to finish. Plus you don't have any premature eja... er... dashing that some bottles give. You can invert the bottle completely over the mixing glass without anything coming out, then just a sharp shake produced a clean measured dash. You just use two dashes from these in place of one dash from other bottles.
I haven't seen APS easily available in the US yet (although they do carry items I wish I could get my hands on, so I'm still working on it.)
I may be able to help you with the WMF stuff. They have a North American division but their wholesale minimums are pretty steep. I need to place a reorder for my store so perhaps I can merge what you need with it.
Contact me directly via email @ adam at thebostonshaker dot com and let me know what you're looking for and how many hopefully we can work it out!
Cheers!
a.
Hi Zane,
WMF is not easy to work with. We carry their highest quality (AKA "hotel") line at CocktailKingdom.com. The WMF PArisian Shaker is very heavy and very amazing.
However, inventory is always a problem with WMF. And, they discontinue products often for no obvious reason. We have a huge shipment coming from WMF in a few weeks that will have taken more than 3 months from order to arrival.
Greg
have you tried the Amsterdam office? details here: www.apssupply.com - am happy to assist if needed, APS are good people...
Hey Philip,
I would prefer to do business with APS. WMF is... difficult. The problem is, they don't offer any way to order off their web site. I was going to call them but I'm worried about relying on a company that may take months to get me my order. I know your in the same city, any idea how long an order to the US (Seattle) would take?