Photo by Julia Tellman “I’ve won journalism awards in Kansas and Virginia, but this is by far the coolest thing I’ve ever won,” Jim Haag said about his new title as maker of the best cocktail in Teton Valley.
The Mystery Mixologist Or: How a Retired Journalist Won for Best Cocktail By Julia Tellman
The staff at the Teton Valley News was as surprised as anyone when the votes were tallied and in the category of Best Cocktail, it wasn’t Knotty Pine, Tetonia Club, or Warbirds in the top spot, or even one of the valley’s illustrious longtime bartenders like Eric Achee or Adam Towle. Instead, it was retired editor and epicurean Jim Haag, who has no affiliation with a local bar but does make a mean sidecar. 46 |
THE BEST OF TETON VALLEY 2021
“Maybe this is a sign that we throw too many parties,” Haag said with a laugh when he was notified of his new title. Ironically, while he was an editor at the Virginian-Pilot newspaper out of Norfolk, VA, Haag oversaw the production of more than a few voter’s choice publications himself. That experience on the other side of the desk wasn’t what won him accolades though. It turns out Haag had a big network of friends who knew how to play the game. After all, everyone is allowed to vote every day Teton Valley News
