step by step guidelines on designing& delivering a designing & delivering a Quality Beer Experience Planning a Beer Dinner

Tastings / Beer Dinners Edu-tainment Content is serious? We don’t need to take ourselves seriously Opening is crucial Welcome Background Agenda

Tastings / Dinners History Relevance to beer styles Anecdotes Personal experiences Lead not dictate

BEER DINNER ASSIGNMENT

Beer & Food Assignment Design and develop a 4 course beer dinner This may become a 6 course tapas style Use a variety of resources Internet (research) Beer Bistro menu (beer and food) Michelle Usprecht

Report 1.A formal, written presentation must be submitted (word –not PowerPoint) a)Title page b)Table of contents c)Introduction d)Menu and beer pairings along with the pairing concepts for each

HOSTING A BEER DINNER

Hosting a Beer Dinner You’ve been asked to host a beer dinner Your only role is to create the pairings and then help people to understand why you paired the specific beer with the food

Next Steps 1.Is there a theme? 2.Ask for the menu items i.And the recipes or methods of prep ii.Any spices used iii.Side dishes 3.Now choose the beer to match each course 4.Think about what glasses you are going to use

The Dinner Always start with a opening beer – Good opportunity to show people how to pour – Remember to talk about the history, taste profile and any other interesting notes

Hosting includes 3-5 minute talk on each beer – History – Tasting notes – Interesting facts – Why you paired it with the food Most likely, you will have to get everyone’s attention Beer increases conversation

Things to Remember Have fun Use your sense of humour Make sure you thank everyone, including the host / chef / client Make sure you are always talking about responsible use

PLANNING A BREWERY HOSTED BEER DINNER

Planning a Beer Dinner First Steps Establish date & time. Establish the number of attendees. Determine how the dinner will be promoted. Establish roles and responsibilities Create a checklist. Two to three hours is sufficient for a beer dinner Example: Beer Dinner on March 12th, 2006 from 7p.m. – 10p.m. Make an appointment to meet with the person in charge/chef.

Planning a Beer Dinner Things to consider Do you need theme? (country, style of beer, historical era, brewer) Quite often, this is already chosen by the supplier Who designs the menu? Most often, leave this to the chef Ask for them to create the menu and then you can pick the beer Choose 4-5 beers that will meet your needs 1 per course and an introductory beer Do you need to bring glassware? This is a sampling event – glassware should be no more than 8 ounces

Planning a Beer Dinner A few weeks before Call or meet with the Chef/ Manager Ask about the recipes, the ingredients etc This is important for you to understand which concepts you will be using (cut, complement or contrast) Ask the chef if he/she will be able to come out and explain the dishes as the courses are served, describing how the particular beer was used. Bring to the meeting: Bottles of each Beer to be used for the chef - so he/she can experiment with recipes and enjoy! Tasting notes on the Beers.

Planning a Beer Dinner The Checklist should include: Glassware Tasting notes Menus Ingredients other Also… Make sure you have a microphone and sound system if you need one A group above 30 will require a mic Prepare Speaker’s Notes for the Dinner Research the history and tasting notes of each beer Think about your client and whether you can use any of their messages

Planning a Beer Dinner The Day of the Dinner Contact the mgr./chef to make sure all is prepared and ready to go! Arrive at least one hour ahead of time to confirm the expectations for the evening for example what time the courses will come out and in what order Be sure glassware ( and coasters ) are ready, and take care of any last-minute details Make sure microphones are working if you require them. Review your Speaker’s Notes for the dinner Check to see if someone will introduce you

Hosting The Dinner Beer Dinners are entertaining, changing and expanding what beer is all about. When the guests are settled in their seats and each guest has been served a welcome beer (try to start with a lighter beer), welcome the guests and introduce yourself (or be introduced) and explain what how the evening will unfold. Remember that Beer Dinners are social in nature. Let people know that this evening is about enjoying good food, good company and great beer.

Hosting The Dinner Addressing the audience Note: Throughout the evening when there is an opportunity to relay your own experiences, do so. It will make the event come alive. Open with some general information on beer and your passion for beer Ensure you are open for questions from the audience

The Dinner As the beer comes to the table (before the food is served), stand up and introduce the beer (history, glassware and tasting notes) and explain why it has been matched with that particular food. Be sure to explain that tasting is a purely personal experience. Keep it to 3-5 minutes per course so that you can sit down and enjoy the food and beer with your guests. You may want to walk around the room so that everyone can share the experience. Remember, this is about your guests’ enjoyment !

Ending The Dinner Thank you! As you and your beer dinner guests are finishing their meals, include the following in your closing: Ask the guests how they enjoyed their evening Thank the chef and the staff Compliment the good service and quality of the beer and food Thank the guests for their enthusiasm Acknowledge other important persons in attendance Make sure people have a safe ride home. Let them know where they can purchase the beers at retail so they can organize a beer dinner at home for their friends/family, and say goodnight!