#Workshop - May 16th @ 7 pm EDT: Beer Selection

Contributor: Vaccinium Vaccinium
Workshop – Monday, May 16th @ 7pm: Beer Selection

“Drinking beer doesn't make you fat, it makes you lean....
Against bars, tables, chairs, poles….”

And yet beer is not simply for getting intoxicated. Fine beer deserves to be savored and cherished every bit as much as a fine wine or an expertly distilled spirit. But do you know how to choose the beer that will best suit you? Do you know how to read signs and menus at brewpubs and labels on beer bottles to give you a good idea of what the beers are likely to look and taste like? If you answered no to either of these questions and really like beer, this workshop could be of great interest and help to you.

During this workshop I will present information on beers styles, how to decipher the various terminology used to describe beer, and how to pair your beer with food. So, grab a beer or two (seriously, bringing a beer to drink will help me teach you during the workshop) and come join us for the Beer Selection Workshop on Monday, May 16th at 7 PM EDT.

Oh, yeah, if drinking and learning about beer isn’t enough to get you to the workshop, I’ll be giving away two $25 Eden Fantasys gift cards as well. Drinking beer, talking beer, chance at winning gift cards…why *wouldn’t* you show up?
05/09/2011
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Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
Any recommended beer?

Does Woodchuck count?

If I grab a couple Guiness, does it count as dinner?
05/09/2011
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
Haha, I love Woodchuck! Never really got into Guiness tho. Can't wait to read what you've got to say either way!
05/09/2011
Contributor: Vaccinium Vaccinium
Quote:
Originally posted by El-Jaro
Any recommended beer?

Does Woodchuck count?

If I grab a couple Guiness, does it count as dinner?
Grab any beer you like. You'll discover soon enough in the workshop whether it is any good.

Ciders are not technically beer, but they, like mead, can be considered beer depending on how you define it. I'm hedging a bit because I know less about the specifics of how to properly enjoy ciders and meads than I do ales and lagers. Once you get to the workshop, you'll see why that is so important.

Actually, there have been thousands of people over the centuries who have only drank beer during fasting periods, and they are able to get enough nutrients out of them to survive. It's not something you'll want to do regularly, of course, but there's nothing wrong with an occasional liquid meal.
05/09/2011
Contributor: sexyintexas sexyintexas
I cannot wait for this workshop. I love buying new beers, recently in California I bought Full Moon Winter Ale....ugh! Good Lord that stuff is nasty! Any tips on buying good ones will be greatly appriciated.
05/11/2011
Contributor: Vaccinium Vaccinium
Quote:
Originally posted by sexyintexas
I cannot wait for this workshop. I love buying new beers, recently in California I bought Full Moon Winter Ale....ugh! Good Lord that stuff is nasty! Any tips on buying good ones will be greatly appriciated.
I'm glad you're looking forward to it!

Although I've never had that particular Blue Moon product, I'm not a fan of Blue Moon Brewing. The beers are generally too malty for my tastes.
05/11/2011
Contributor: BBW Talks Toys BBW Talks Toys
I love a good amber beer with pizza... Something about the super rich flavor of both just compliment each other really we... I'm sure you'll explain why.
05/11/2011
Contributor: Vaccinium Vaccinium
Quote:
Originally posted by BBW Talks Toys
I love a good amber beer with pizza... Something about the super rich flavor of both just compliment each other really we... I'm sure you'll explain why.
There's a finite amount I can squeeze into this workshop. As such, I won't be going into food pairing in great detail. But yes, something middle of the road in terms of richness (pizza being in the middle relative to something light like fish or salads or heavy like a stew or a rich red meat dish) would match well with an amber-colored beer.
05/11/2011
Contributor: Vaccinium Vaccinium
I just wanted to remind everyone to buy their favorite beer (or at least a beer they've never had before) for this workshop. It will help me teach you - seriously.
05/12/2011
Contributor: Kake aka PoeticErotica Kake aka PoeticErotica
Quote:
Originally posted by Vaccinium
I just wanted to remind everyone to buy their favorite beer (or at least a beer they've never had before) for this workshop. It will help me teach you - seriously.
Good call! Hmm... soo many choices! I'm thinking I'll have to go with Victory's Storm King Ale or Dogfish Head's 90 min. IPA though. I'm really into the high gravity beers at the moment. Of course, this is assuming I have beer money. Otherwise, I'll be crying into my champagne flute of High Life while the rest of y'all drink something that's actually palatable.
05/12/2011
Contributor: Vaccinium Vaccinium
This happens in a little over 24 hours, everyone. I hope you got the beer(s) you want to drink during the workshop already.
05/15/2011
Contributor: M121212 M121212
Oooh... hey I went to a craft beer tasting on Thursday night. There were about 7 different female brewers from around BC there. They tasted so good! My favourite was this beer made with mango and passion fruit. It was really light and very tasty. They had only made the one cask of it for this event. My other favourite was this stout from Crannog. I love those guys. They grow the hops for their beer right outside the door of the brewery! I was there on behalf of my chocolate shop, and we brought salted caramel truffles to pair with the stout which was quite molassesy. I'm still thinking about that flavour today. So good!!

I won't be able to make this workshop but I hope you guys have a lot of fun & good sips!
05/15/2011
Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
What about Mickey's?
05/16/2011
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
Unfortunately I won't be able to be drinking during the workshop, but I'm still really looking forward to it!
05/16/2011
Contributor: BBW Talks Toys BBW Talks Toys
I drank my last beer last night. I, too, will be sober.
05/16/2011
Contributor: Vaccinium Vaccinium
Quote:
Originally posted by El-Jaro
What about Mickey's?
That would technically be beer.

Technically.
05/16/2011
Contributor: Bonesdance Bonesdance
Quote:
Originally posted by El-Jaro
Any recommended beer?

Does Woodchuck count?

If I grab a couple Guiness, does it count as dinner?
It's a common misconception that Guinness is among the most filling, calorie-rich beers. In fact, the standard Guinness Draught is an Irish Dry Stout, only clocks in at 4.1% ABV, and barely has any more calories than Bud Light. The "dry" in Irish Dry Stout refers to the relatively low amount of residual sugar in the beer, and when you combine low residual sugar with low alcohol you get a very thin, low-calorie beer.

The myth of the thick pint of Guinness is made possible by the beer's dark color, which comes from roasted barley and has no real effect on body or strength, and by the brewers' smart decision to serve the beer with an artificial mixture of nitro- and carbonation instead of standard carbonation; a nitro beer feels silkier and fuller than it really is. Oh, and clever marketing ("Guinness for strength!") hasn't hurt either.

Now, if you're talking about the 7.5% Guinness Foreign Export Stout, then I'd be more inclined to agree.

Cheers!
05/16/2011
Contributor: sexyintexas sexyintexas
Im counting the minutes!
05/16/2011
Contributor: Vaccinium Vaccinium
Quote:
Originally posted by Bonesdance
It's a common misconception that Guinness is among the most filling, calorie-rich beers. In fact, the standard Guinness Draught is an Irish Dry Stout, only clocks in at 4.1% ABV, and barely has any more calories than Bud Light. The ... more
Yeah, I can drink Guinness like it's water.

I actually picked up a export stout from a local brewery today that I'll be drinking during the workshop.
05/16/2011
Contributor: Vaccinium Vaccinium
Two hours!
05/16/2011
Contributor: darthkitt3n darthkitt3n
It stinks that I have to go to work and miss this
05/16/2011
Contributor: Vaccinium Vaccinium
Quote:
Originally posted by darthkitt3n
It stinks that I have to go to work and miss this
Sorry! You can always wade through the thread when you get off work, but I realize that's not an ideal situation either.
05/16/2011
Contributor: babyboii1619 babyboii1619
Started drinking over the weekend just to get ready for this workshop.. not too much longer now. ... whats your guys' beer of choice if one??
05/16/2011
Contributor: Bonesdance Bonesdance
Quote:
Originally posted by babyboii1619
Started drinking over the weekend just to get ready for this workshop.. not too much longer now. ... whats your guys' beer of choice if one??
It's impossible for me to narrow down the world of beer into a single "beer of choice," just because there's a ton of variety and I want different things at different times.

The best I could do would be to give my favorites in a few broad categories:

Favorite Hoppy Beer: Heady Topper, Alchemist Brewpub, Waterbury VT
Favorite Malty Beer: Coffee-infused Imperial Stout Trooper, New England Brewing Co., Woodbridge CT
Favorite Sour Beer: St. Lamvinus, Brasserie Cantillon, Brussels Belgium
Favorite Session Beer: Bitter Brewer, Surly Brewing Co., Minneapolis MN

I'd be pretty darn happy if I could only drink those 4 brews for the rest of my life!

Cheers!
05/16/2011
Contributor: Vaccinium Vaccinium
Quote:
Originally posted by babyboii1619
Started drinking over the weekend just to get ready for this workshop.. not too much longer now. ... whats your guys' beer of choice if one??
I really don't have a favorite. Aside from the corn and/or rice-amended "macrobrews" there isn't a beer style I don't like. If it's exceptionally well made, then I'm going to like it. I also try not to drink the same beer very often. There are so many out there to try, that I don't want to limit myself to a few favorites.
05/16/2011
Contributor: BBW Talks Toys BBW Talks Toys
Quote:
Originally posted by babyboii1619
Started drinking over the weekend just to get ready for this workshop.. not too much longer now. ... whats your guys' beer of choice if one??
Depends on what I'm eating, mood I'm in, what sounds good. I tend to like wheat beers though.
05/16/2011
Contributor: babyboii1619 babyboii1619
Yeah I notice I'm the same way too, depends on how I'm feeling and what I'm eating... so then whats your guys' choice to start with for the workshop?? Or are you going to drink something...
05/16/2011
Contributor: sexyintexas sexyintexas
Quote:
Originally posted by babyboii1619
Started drinking over the weekend just to get ready for this workshop.. not too much longer now. ... whats your guys' beer of choice if one??
Bud Light or Clamato
05/16/2011
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
I am trying a new beer tonight, its called "Air Beer" The flavor you want, absolutely no calories, and you can drink all you want and still drive. Did I mention it's free?

05/16/2011
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
Quote:
Originally posted by sexyintexas
Bud Light or Clamato
Bud Light with Clamato goes surprisingly well with sharp cheddar. Also, I was the only one drinking it that night, lol.
05/16/2011