Geronimo Tequila Bar Receives Tequila "Award T" Certification from Mexican Council

Geronimo Tequila Bar and Southwestern Grill in New Haven and Fairfield, CT recently joined an elite group of approx. 40 restaurants worldwide (Tequila Mockingbird in New Canaan is the only other restaurant in the state the also received the certification) that hold a CRT Award T Certification from the Mexican government’s Tequila Regulatory Council, recognizing their commitment and knowledge of Tequila. 

The Declaration for the Protection of the Appelation of Origin Tequila (DOT) states that only alcoholic beverages made with agave azul (agave tequila weber blue variety) grown in an officially demarcated area, under specifications given by the Official Standard for Tequila, can be labeled and sold as “Tequila.” The Mexican Federal Government closely regulates the production of Tequila. 

The goal of the “Award T” certification is to raise interest and knowledge about tequila – the main requirement for the restaurant to receive this certification was 80% of the staff successfully passing a written test after going through ten hours of training with a representative from the Mexican Consulate discussing tequila guidelines, the history of tequila, cultivation and harvesting of Agave and the production process for making Tequila.  Other requirements included confirming the restaurant only purchases and serves Tequila that is certified by CRT, the menu of drinks/cocktails/food dishes that the restaurant serves using Tequila and the method for disposing used bottles.  To maintain the certification, annual or semi-annual inspections are conducted of the restaurant.

Geronimo houses the largest selection of Tequila on the East Coast with over 400 options, including their own labeled Herradura Double Aged Tequila.  The restaurant’s owners take Tequila very seriously, even having traveled to Mexico to learn more about Tequila and its production process to bring this knowledge back to the team in Connecticut.

About Geronimo

Geronimo Tequila Bar and Southwestern Grill brings the authentic taste of Santa Fe, New Mexico to Connecticut.  With acclaimed Executive Chef Arturo Franco-Camacho at the helm, Geronimo’s cuisine is 100% Southwestern, even sourcing its Chile peppers directly from New Mexico, with the menu including tacos, award-winning chile, quesadillas, Navajo frybread, tamales and more.  In addition to its award-winning cuisine, Geronimo has received several accolades for its cocktails, as the restaurant features the largest selection of Tequila on the East Coast.  With over 400 options including their own labeled Herradura Double Aged Tequila, the bar also offers more than 40 varieties of Mezcal, an extensive wine list and top-shelf liquors.  The restaurant recently became one of 40 establishments in the world to receive its CRT Award T Certification from the Mexican government’s Tequila Regulatory Council, recognizing their commitment and knowledge of Tequila.

With locations at 271 Crown Street in New Haven and 2070 Post Road in Fairfield, both restaurants feature indoor and outdoor dining, indoor fireplaces, private event space and catering services.   Geronimo is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, and offers Brunch on Sunday’s.  For more information, visit http://geronimobarandgrill.com/.  The restaurant can also be found on Facebook (Geronimo Tequila Bar and Southwestern Grill) and Instagram (geronimotequilabar).