Where we learn How to Taste a Beer!
We had a great turnout for the “How to Taste a Beer” event last monday night!
This was our first chance to collaborate with the Phinney Neighborhood Association around their Winter Beer Taste, and it could not have gone better! We had a great turnout with a predominance of Flying Bike member-owners (including our newest member #676!) and a couple of other PNA members that joined in as as well. The "students" there represented a great mix of ages, beer experience and even a sprinking of homebrewers, as well.
Our instructor, Robyn Schumacher of Stoup Brewing, first oriented us with some slides on what the different flavoring components are to beers, and where they come from (base malts, adjuncts, hops, yeast and other additions). She also covered how variations in the brewing process can affect the look, smell and taste of a beer. She then provide a professional overview of how to really “taste” a beer using all the senses (smell, sight, taste and feel).
Then the real fun began: Over the course of the next 90 minutes, Robyn led us through a tasting of 6 distinct styles of beer. She started off with a German Pilsner, and we proceeded through the spectrum of beers from that through Stoup's IPA, to an Imperial Red, a Brown, Stoup's own Porter and finished up with a Pumpkin beer.
By the end of the night the consensus was that everyone enjoyed learning more how to appreciate beers, and just enjoying beers with the chance to talk about them with others. And we all appreciated the expertise that Robyn contributed to the class.
All in all, it was a great kick-off event for the PNA Beer Taste that happens this coming Saturday (Nov 9th).
A huge Thank You! to Robyn and Stoup, who donated her time & expertise, as well as a couple of their fine beers for tasting. And a big shout out to Chuck Shin of Chuck’s 85th for helping sponsor this great evening with the remainder of the beers, and some schwag.
And congrats to Flying Bike member Steffen Froehlich for winning a FlyingBike growler in the raffle!
For more information:
Click here for more information on the PNA's Winter Beer Taste
Click here for more information on our upcoming "How to Brew a Beer" class. Also sponsored with the PNA.
