In Praise of Beer
Six beers, one tutor, your staff — a lot of fun
Beer is the best long drink in the world; the most refreshing drink in the world; the most companionable; the most versatile; the most thought provoking…and if that isn’t enough to drive you to drink, beer is also the best selling long drink in the world.
Beer has been around since Adam and Eve. The Ancient Egyptians loved nothing better than to polish off a pint (or whatever their measure was), while the equally ancient Sumerians lifted their beakers to a female goddess of beer called Ninkhasi. Ancient Britons, Romans, Vikings, Lombardians, Flems, Tudor monarchs, monks, knights, preachers and politicians — all have enjoyed a glass/ram’s horn/beaker/beaker of beer down the ages. Now it’s our turn.
Wine tastings are so passé: everyone knows that beer is the new wine. Forget any ideas of boring bitter or fizzy lager – there is a beer for every occasion, every season and every palate. Beer is a great aperitif, a superb post-prandial tipple and can be matched to every kind of food.
Renowned beer expert, Adrian Tierney-Jones is now offering exclusive tutored tastings where the world’s best beers will be drunk, savoured, explained and enjoyed.
Whether you want to impress your clients, pull together your sales team, or simply have fun with your colleagues, beer tasting offers the perfect package. We recommend you start with the Starter tasting if you’re new to the field – but really it’s entirely up to you. We can tailor packages to suit your needs or tastes. Your staff or clients could be learning how to appreciate everything from cool and crisp British bitters; spicy, quenching Belgium wheat beers; a rich and dark stout from Sri Lanka; a spirited wood-aged ale from the cultured streets of Edinburgh; a smoked lager from the Franconian medieval town of Bamberg; a tart and quenching lambic from the mean streets of Brussels; a golden lager, bursting with floral notes, from the Czech Republic or a hoppy, punchy IPA from Chicago. The list goes on and on. Want to be part of the beer revolution? Want to try something totally different?
Contact us at tierneyjones@btinternet.com or on 01398 324314 to learn more.
These are beer tastings with a difference.
They are themed. They encourage the participation of the tasters. Everyone’s opinion is valid. If you want something different for your staff or clients, then these beer tastings may be just what you're looking for.
The aim
It’s about communication, listening, thinking about a common drink in a new light, tasting, sharing the experience, making a judgment, being confident about your views, feeling at the end of the session that something new has been learnt. Above all, having a lot of fun.
The starter tasting: 'Beer is the new wine'
Can beer really be as complex and challenging as wine? You bet. We recommend this as your first tasting if you are new to beer (real beer that is). All beer is served from bottles. We provide glasses, tasting notes and (if required) food. All you need provide is the people. The venue is up to you - either at your own premises or choice of venue - or we can provide the venue.
You will:
* be introduced to the huge variety of beer styles available - from basic bitters to arcane spicy and even fruity beers.
* learn how to taste beer (yes, it does involve lots of sniffing and swirling around the glass - but, unlike wine tastings, beer connoisseurs tend to swallow!).
* taste six carefully chosen beers, picked to provide a wide range of tastes and styles.
* be taught how to differentiate between various beer styles.
* start to understand why you like the beers you do. Rest assured, there is a beer for absolutely everyone.
* be given the confidence to go out and try more beers - developing your palate and developing your own beer repertoire.
* be given clear tasting notes and an information pack to take away.
Some of the beers you could taste
British
Don’t 'get' British beer? Here are some of the greatest ales of England, all ready to be tasted
Adnams Bitter — classic hoppy beer from Suffolk
Fuller’s 1845 — rich and dark London strong ale
Young’s London Special — extra hoppy IPA with plenty of zing
Oakham JHB — lusciously fruity golden beer from East Anglia
Meantime London Porter — revival of the classic porter style
European
Still think European beer means lager, try these
Abbaye des Rocs — Belgium
Schernkerla Rauchbier — Germany
Etalon Weiss — Ukraine
Orval — Belgium
Annoeullin’s L’Angelus — France
Budvar Dark — Czech Republic
Worldwide
An introduction to the wide world of beer - a globe-trotting, taste-whetting slice of exotica
Goose Island IPA — USA
Lion Stout — Sri Lanka
Sierra Nevada Bigfoot — USA
Little Creatures — Australia
Casta Dorada Golden Ale — Mexico
Lagers
Lager is just not lager, there are Helles, Pilseners, Vienna Lagers, Bocks, Dortmunds, dark lagers
Jever Pils — Germany
Brooklyn Lager — USA
Skinner’s Cornish Lager — Cornwall
Moortgat Bel Pils — Belgium
Kronenberg Bleu — France
Andechs Spezial Hell — Germany
Dark and deadly
Rich, smooth, dark and deadly — there’s more to life than Guinness
O’Hanlon’s Port Stout
St Peter’s Cream Stout
Sarah Hughes Ruby Mild
Teignworth Russian Empress Porter
Guinness FES — Nigeria
Casta Morena Dark Ale — Mexico
Other tastings can include 'beer and food' and rare beers. We can tailor a package to your requirements - please just ask.
(this list is subject to availability and may change according to the availability of various beers - we will always inform you before the tasting of any substitutions).
Practicalities
All beer and glasses are supplied, alongside tasting notes and written information. If required, a buffet can be organised, though this will cost extra. Minimum numbers are 15, maximum 50. Adrian Tierney-Jones can conduct the tasting at your place of work - or organise an alternative venue if preferred.
Please contact us with your requirements so we can give you an estimate or quote.
IN PRAISE OF BEER
tierneyjones@btinternet.com or 01398 324314
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