Drink & Learn at MBCF
Drink & Learn at MBCF
Tutored Tastings and beer appreciation course give visitors an educational experience
Manchester Beer & Cider Festival has confirmed its range of special tasting events allowing visitors to learn more about their favourite drinks. In a first for the festival, visitors will also be able to gain a recognised qualification in the love of beer!
Visitors on Thursday 19th January can book to train for their Certificate in Beer Appreciation, fully accredited qualification from People 1st, a part of the Hospitality Guild. The three and a half hour course will be led by Master Trainer, European Beer Consumer Union accredited judge and Member of the Guild of Beer Writers Christine Cryne.
Other events in the programme will give an insight into the history of what is an often mis-construed and mislabelled beer style – the India Pale Ale. In Whatever Happened to IPA will discuss the origins of this style, its fall from popularity to its current American inspired status as the must have beer style – fuelled by a wide selection of examples of the style.
Cider and perry fans won’t miss out with Thursday evening seeing local expert Charlotte Bulmer (no relation) lead a session exploring the massive variety of flavours which can arise from the fermented juices of humble apples and pears.
Two events explore different aspects of continental brewing. In Going Dutch, beer traveller and writer John Clarke will show his audience that the Netherlands has so much more to offer the moden beer drinker than Heinekin as he discusses six craft brewed Dutch beers of varied and contrasting styles. Meanwhile, some of the heritage of Dutch and Belgian brewing will be discussed in “Holy Orders” – a tasting event which will look at the history of Monastic brewing before leading drinkers through six different beers, all brewed by the Trappist Order of monks in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Tickets for all sessions are now on sale at mancbeerfest.uk/about/events2017
The tasting events will be complemented by a number of pop-up Meet The Brewer sessions throughout the festival – visitors should keep an eye of Facebook & Twitter for details.
The final day of the festival will conclude with the Great Manchester Beer Debate where a panel of industry experts will give their opinions on a controversial subject before the floor is thrown open to you, the festival visitor. Organisers are being tight lipped about the subject to be debated and who will be on the panel, but all will be revealed in December.