Grading Explanation & Levels


The WFA realised that throughout the world, the standard of bartending differs from country to country. What we have created with the WFA Gradings is a set standard that can be used no matter where by both trainer and bartender at any level with regards to flair moves, basic drinks making recipes & techniques as well as an template for basic bar station set-up.

The aim is to provide a system (very similar to Karate), recognised by bartenders, trainers, managers and propieroters all around the World in order to standardise and raise the level of flair bartending and make the hiring process easier for potential employers and employees. The WFA Grading system will provide a set platform and change the way flair and bartending is perceived throughout the World.

The Gradings will be split into 7 levels.


World Flair Association grading - white

When a new member joins WFA, along with their membership, they are awarded a white WFA grading. This just means they are a member and are on the road to moving up the ranks or they just have a keen interest in bartending and would like some knowledge

With the following colour gradings, four different tests must be done.

World Flair Association grading - yellow

The first is a pour test. With their strong arm, they must pour a single and double shot. A single measure is different worldwide, so for example in the UK it will be 25ml, in the US it will be 1oz, Norway it will be 2cl. This is to be set in each country. To pass this test, the pour must fall in the dotted lines as displayed in an Exactopour.

The second is a speed and procedure test. They must make a Sea Breeze (Double shot Vodka, 150ml Cranberry Juice, Float of Grapefruit, Lime squeeze) in a 12oz Collins glass full of cubed ice. The drink must match the picture. This drink must be made in 20 seconds.

The third is a working flair test. They must now make the Sea Breeze again, but this time using all the moves shown on the Yellow WFA test video and incorporating them into their routine. All moves must be landed with no drops or spills and the drink should match the picture. They can add any number of moves to the routine as long as they also include the ones shown in the video. They have 1 minute 30 seconds to make the drink.

The fourth is an exhibition flair test. This time no drink has to be made, but they have to land all the moves shown in the Yellow WFA test video below, without drops, and incorporate them into their routine. They can add any number of moves to the routine as long as they also include the ones shown in the video. They have 1 minute 30 seconds to complete all moves.

In each test they have three attempts to pass, if they don’t complete one of the tests, they fail their grading.

World Flair Association grading - orange

The first is a pour test. With their strong arm, they must pour a single and double shot and then with their weak arm, they must also pour a single and double shot. A single measure is different worldwide, so for example in the UK it will be 25ml, in the US it will be 1oz, Norway it will be 2cl. This is to be set in each country. To pass this test, the pour must fall in the dotted lines as displayed in an Exactopour.

The second is a speed and procedure test. They must make two drinks, a Sea Breeze (Double shot Vodka, 150ml Cranberry Juice, Float of Grapefruit, Lime squeeze) in a 12oz Collins glass full of cubed ice and then a Mojito (Double shot Rum, 4 pieces of lime, 1 barspoon of sugar, 8 mint leaves, Top with soda) in a 12oz glass full of crushed ice. The drinks must match the pictures. Both drinks must be made in 1 minute.

The third is a working flair test. They must now make the Sea Breeze and Mojito again, but this time using all the moves shown on the Orange WFA test video and incorporating them into their routine. All moves must be landed with no drops or spills and the drinks should match the pictures. They can add any number of moves to the routine as long as they also include the ones shown in the video. They have 2 minutes to make both drinks.

The fourth is an exhibition flair test. This time no drink has to be made, but they have to land all the moves shown in the Orange WFA test video, without drops, and incorporate them into their routine. They can add any number of moves to the routine as long as they also include the ones shown in the video. They have 1 minute 30 seconds to complete all moves.

In each test they have three attempts to pass, if they don’t complete one of the tests, they fail their grading.

World Flair Association grading - green

The first is a pour test. With their strong arm, they must pour a half shot, a single shot, a shot and a half and then a double shot and then with their weak arm, they must do the same. A single measure is different worldwide, so for example in the UK it will be 25ml, in the US it will be 1oz, Norway it will be 2cl. This is to be set in each country. To pass this test, the pour must fall in the dotted lines as displayed in an Exactopour.

The second is a speed and procedure test. They must make three drinks, a Sea Breeze (Double shot Vodka, 150ml Cranberry Juice, Float of Grapefruit, Lime squeeze) in a 12oz Collins glass full of cubed ice and then a Mojito (Double shot Rum, 4 pieces of lime, 1 barspoon of sugar, 8 mint leaves, Top with soda) in a 12oz glass full of crushed ice and thirdly a Cosmopolitan (Single shot Vodka, ½ shot Cointreau, 100ml Cranberry Juice, Juice of ½ lime, Flamed Orange zest) shaken and strained into a chilled Martini glass. The drinks must match the pictures. All drinks must be made in 1 minute 30 seconds.

The third is a working flair test. They must now make the Sea Breeze, Mojito and Cosmopolitan again, but this time using all the moves shown on the Green WFA test video and incorporating them into their routine. All moves must be landed with no drops or spills and the drinks should match the pictures. They can add any number of moves to the routine as long as they also include the ones shown in the video. They have 2 minute 30 seconds to make all drinks.

The fourth is an exhibition flair test. This time no drink has to be made, but they have to land all the moves shown in the Green WFA test video, without drops, and incorporate them into their routine. They can add any number of moves to the routine as long as they also include the ones shown in the video. They have 1 minute 30 seconds to complete all moves.

In each test they have three attempts to pass, if they don’t complete one of the tests, they fail their grading.

World Flair Association grading - blue

The first is a pour test. With both arms, they must pour a half shot, a single shot, a shot and a half and then a double shot, this must be done simultaneously, but with the one arm starting on a half shot and one arm starting on a double shot. Pours must be done in one go, bounce pouring as they go. A single measure is different worldwide, so for example in the UK it will be 25ml, in the US it will be 1oz, Norway it will be 2cl. This is to be set in each country. To pass this test, the pour must fall in the dotted lines as displayed in an Exactopour.

The second is a speed and procedure test. They must make four drinks, a Sea Breeze (Double shot Vodka, 150ml Cranberry Juice, Float of Grapefruit, Lime squeeze) in a 12oz Collins glass full of cubed ice, a Mojito (Double shot Rum, 4 pieces of lime, 1 barspoon of sugar, 8 mint leaves, Top with soda) in a 12oz glass full of crushed ice, a Cosmopolitan (Single shot Vodka, ½ shot Cointreau, 100ml Cranberry Juice, Juice of ½ lime, Flamed Orange zest) shaken and strained into a chilled Martini glass and a blended Strawberry Daquiri (1 shot rum, ½ shot Creme de Fraise, 100ml Stawberry Puree, ½ shot Fresh Lime, ½ shot sugar syrup) into a Hurricane glass with a sugar rim. The drinks must match the pictures. All drinks must be made in 2 minutes.

The third is a working flair test. They must now make the Sea Breeze, Mojito, Cosmopolitan and Strawberry Daiquiri again, but this time using all the moves shown on the Blue WFA test video and incorporating them into their routine. All moves must be landed with no drops or spills and the drinks should match the picture. They can add any number of moves to the routine as long as they also include the ones shown in the video. They have 3 minutes 30 seconds to make all drinks.

The fourth is an exhibition flair test. This time no drink has to be made, but they have to land all the moves shown in the Blue WFA test video, without drops, and incorporate them into their routine. They can add any number of moves to the routine as long as they also include the ones shown in the video. They have 1 minute 30 seconds to complete all moves.

In each test they have three attempts to pass, if they don’t complete one of the tests, they fail their grading.

World Flair Association grading - purple

The only way you can become a purple WFA is if you place in the top 6 in any WFA Grand Slam competition.





World Flair Association grading - black

The only way you can become a black WFA is if you place in the top 3 in any WFA Grand Slam competition.



Competitions

RockStar World Open

RockStar World Open

02.08.2010 - 02.08.2010

Coinciding with the Ultimate Flair Challenge the RockStar World Open will take place on Monday 2nd August.

Yokohama Flair Open 2010

Yokohama Flair Open 2010

04.08.2010 - 04.08.2010

Cocktail Bar Marceau in Yokohama will be hosting the Yokohama Flair Open 2010 on Wednesday the 4th August in what is the oldest cocktail bar in Japan.....

Maloneys Flair Comp - Southport, United Kingdom

Maloneys Flair Comp - Southport, United Kingdom

09.08.2010 - 09.08.2010

Maloneys Bar in Southport is proud to announce their next competition taking place on Monday the 9th August '10.....

Graffiti Bar Flair Comp

Graffiti Bar Flair Comp

11.08.2010 - 11.08.2010

Graffiti Bar in Earlsfield London will be hosting their next event on Wednesday the 12th August 2010. 

Shake Flair Bartending Championship - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Shake Flair Bartending Championship - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

15.08.2010 - 15.08.2010

Shake Flair Bartending Championships will take place in the party capital of the world Rio de Janeiro in Brazil on the 15th August 2010...

Roadhouse World Flair - World Open - London, United Kingdom

Roadhouse World Flair - World Open - London, United Kingdom

22.08.2010 - 22.08.2010

Roadhouse World Flair - World Open offers a chance to all International competitors to show what they are made off.

Underground Flair League 2010 - Heat 4 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Underground Flair League 2010 - Heat 4 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands

24.08.2010 - 24.08.2010

UFL 2010 is proud to announce their 4th Heat taking place in Amsterdam, Holland and if you haven't had to chance to enter any of the previous events we suggest you make a plan and attend either as competitor or spectator.

Barfest 6 - Neuquen, Argentina

Barfest 6 - Neuquen, Argentina

19.09.2010 - 19.09.2010

The 6th edition of Barferst will take place in Argentina on Sunday 19th September 2010....

Daejeon International Bartender Championships - Daejeon, South Korea

Daejeon International Bartender Championships - Daejeon, South Korea

16.10.2010 - 17.10.2010

Daejeon International Bartender Championship will take place on the 16th and 17th October 2010 in the city of Deajeon, South Korea....

Underground Flair League 2010 - Heat 5 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Underground Flair League 2010 - Heat 5 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands

19.10.2010 - 19.10.2010

UFL is proud to present Heat 5 of 5 taking place in the beautifull city of Amsterdam, Holland.