Talks & Tastings 2018

To accompany our amazing selection of 700 beers, ciders & perries, MBCF is again hosting a range of special tasting events. Entry to tasting sessions and talks will be by ticket only. Tickets include beer served during the session. Places are limited. Click here to book.

Beer and Cheese – A marriage made in heaven?
Thursday 1pm

The session will include a brief overview of beer and brewing and an interactive discussion of how best to match beer with cheese. You’ll taste five different beers, each paired with an appropriate accompanying cheese. The tasting is hosted by Christine Cryne, who is an independently certified taste trainer. Christine judges at a number of beer (UK and international) competitions including having chaired both CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain and the Winter Beer of Britain. She is an European Beer Consumers Union accredited judge. She is also a member of the British Guild of Beer Writers. This lively session is perfect for beer and cheese lovers, or anyone interested in pairing food with beer
Click here to book.

Beer from the Dark Side. An introduction to milds, porters and stouts
Friday 5.15pm

Are you afraid of the dark when it comes to beer or already a fan and want to know more? In either case, this is the session for you. Sally Lavender, an accredited CAMRA Taster and Taste Trainer and the Chairman of Birmingham Tasting Panel will talk you through a tasting of six different dark beers. Sally, who has a particular interest in hops and dark beers has presented many tutored tastings including at the Great British Beer Festival and the BBC Good Food Show. She could talk about beer all day but has promised to control herself on this occasion!
Click here to book.

Trappist v Abbey – Is the original best?
Friday 7.30pm

Want to learn more about these unique Belgian Beers? John Clarke presents “Trappist Beer v Abbey Ale Taste Off” Which is best, the genuine Trappist beers made by monks, or their secular equivalents? You’ll try two dubbels, two tripels and two quadrupels, discuss the styles and the beers and then have the casting vote – which is best Trappist or Abbey? Tastings will be accompanied by John’s entertaining and expert commentary. 
Click here to book.

Imperial Stouts and Porters – The History, the Brewers and the Beers
Saturday 1pm

John Clarke discusses the history, the brewers and leads a tasting of strong dark beers. These are the big beasts of brewing and you’ll taste six different ones while enjoying John’s easy going, witty and expert commentary.
Click here to book.

Schedule:

Tickets

Tasting event tickets include the beer you will sample during your selected sessions (a minimum of 5 x 1/3 pints).

Note that tickets do not include festival entry which must be purchased separately.