The Heineken Regional Bartender Finals 2026 took place on October 16, 2026, at Jambox, Jam PJ in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.
For the first time marking a historic first-time collaboration, 20 top bartenders – 10 from Heineken Malaysia’s Star Academy and 10 from Multi Bintang Indonesia’s Heineken Star Quality Programme competed head-to-head on one regional stage for the ultimate bartending title.
I Wayan Sudiana from Bali, representing Multi Bintang Indonesia, took home the coveted title of Heineken Regional Bartender Finals 2026 Champion, while Lim Tee Hong from La Primeur Austin, Johor was named runner-up.
The grand final judged competitors on technical service precision, the craft of the perfect pour, professional excellence, and emotional intelligence when connecting with guests.
The winners were announced after evaluation by panels of experts and industry leaders, including special guest judge Jason Dennis D’Cruz who won the 2024 Heineken Global Draught Champion.
Heineken Malaysia sales director Roderick van den Brink said that great hospitality relies equally on top-tier products and the expertise of skilled professionals.
“Bringing our finalists together with their peers from Indonesia gives them a chance to exchange ideas, learn from one another and gain recognition for their craft.
“This milestone reflects our shared ambition to elevate hospitality standards across the region while creating meaningful development opportunities for the talented people who bring these experiences to life every day,” he said.
According to the latest Economic Impact Assessment, Malaysia’s beer industry contributes RM7.1 billion annually to the economy, generates RM3.3 billion in tax revenue and supports more than 52,000 jobs nationwide.
Through initiatives like Star Academy and the Heineken Star Quality Programme, both companies are driving individual bartender growth while elevating the long-term competitiveness and professionalism of the F&B ecosystem.
In 2026, Star Academy evolved into a more accessible, on-ground training model, conducting training directly on-site at partner outlets, including smaller cities and outskirt areas such as Miri, Bintulu, Sandakan, Alor Setar and Port Dickson.
The programme reached more than 600 partner outlets nationwide and is expected to upskill a record 2,500 bartenders in 2026, adding to the more than 12,000 bartenders trained since its inception.
Beyond the individual accolades, the event functioned as a collaborative hub aimed at upskilling regional hospitality workers, encouraging knowledge sharing, and raising service standards across Southeast Asia.
