L’Ordre Mondial des Gourmet Dégustateurs (Ordre Mondial or OMGD for short) is a society of people with a taste for the finer things in life, specializing in wines, eaux de vie, liqueurs, spirits, brewed and fermented beverages.
Since its inception in September 1963 in Paris, France, the Ordre Mondial has built its membership on professionals in the drinks field as well as non-professional amateurs who appreciate quality wines and spirits, including renowned and respected non-professional gastronomes and gourmets; wine and spirits connoisseurs, producers and distributors; chefs, f&b directors, general managers and owners of leading food and beverage establishments; and publishers and journalists in the field of wines, spirits and gastronomy in over 100 countries around the world.
The Ordre Mondial’s Cebu chapter was formed in January 2003 and has since built a reputation for its fine and fun tastings. Its much-anticipated Beach Barbecue Beer Hop, a repeat performance of its well-received tasting of world-class ales and lagers at the Savannah Park, Plantation Bay Resort and Spa was no exception.
On the drink list were twelve world-class brews from Belgium, England, Germany and Ireland, representing a cross section of ales and lagers that are not easily available in our part of the world. 150 guests in beach wear sampled world-famous labels like Leffe Brune/Bruin, Tripel Karmeliet, Westmalle Trappist Tripel, Lindemans Kriek Cherry Lambic Beer, Erdinger Weissbier, Boddingtons Draught Bitter, John Smith Extra Smooth, McEwan’s Export Original Scottish Export Ale, Spitfire Premium Kentish Ale, Badger Tangle Foot Premium Ale, Murphy’s Draught Irish Stout, and the Philippines’ very own San Miguel Draft Beer. A brief presentation on ales and lagers was consummately given by Brewmaster Woody Wuthrich.
Complementing the ales and lagers was a scrumptious buffet of tapas, hot dishes, barbecue and other delectable treats prepared by Plantation Bay’s Executive Chef Vinz Karlsen and Sous Chef Dario Roxas.
Of course, an Ordre Mondial public tasting is never complete without its renowned entertainment: beer games, the Hardwood Band, Plantation Bay’s hula dancers, exotic belly dancer Honey Connely of Australia, retro dance music at Club Savannah with DJ Gilbert Go, and gorgeous young AD Models sporting the Cruise Collection of fashion designer Dexter Alazas with technical direction by Julius Quipot . . Boy, what a night!
The Ordre Mondial’s mission is the appreciation for oenology and crafted spirits from around the world. Inscribed in its logo are the words: Vins, Eaux-de-Vie, Liqueurs, Spiritueux. The society’s goal is to promote and enhance the enjoyment of wines, water of life, liqueurs, spirits as well as brewed and/or fermented alcoholic beverages. It aims to instill a better understanding and an in-depth knowledge of all these products. Although wine tastings are commonly held, OMGD also conducts dégustations or tastings for cognac, single malt scotch, vodka, tequila and yes, even beer!