Maine Brewers Guild Presents: Beer School

The things in life I truly appreciate are the things I’ve spent the time to understand, many of these things were not taught in school and educating myself has been an extracurricular, a voyage of self improvement through learning, Beer is one of those things.

The things I’ve learned about beer didn’t come from grade school or high school, although I can say I did learn a few things about beer in College, the breadth of my knowledge has come from reading books, visiting breweries, buying a homebrew kit and doing it myself, talking with other homebrewers and professional brewers and currently writing this blog, I never stop learning. There are plenty of ways to expand the mind in concerns to beer to truly appreciate every sip you take and the Maine Brewers Guild is offering another avenue of education, Beer School.

mbg-logo

 

Speaking about how the Beer School concept came together, executive director of the Guild, Sean Sullivan, explained, “Great beer is being produced all over the state, and breweries are thinking more about what makes them unique, and what expertise they want to share with the beer drinking community. Beer School offers a way for our brewers to give the public a peek behind the curtain, share their passion for the beer they’re brewing, and give Mainers and visitors a chance to have a one-of-a-kind experience centered around beer.”

The first semester of Beer School starts on January 8, 2015 and runs through June 14, 2015. Students can choose to attend a few or as many of the classes as they’d like. Tuition for these classes will range from $25-50 per class and enrollment begins four weeks before the date of the class.

  • Class 1: Hop Knowledge
  • Led by: Maine Beer Company
  • When: Thursday, January 8, 2015 between 4-6pm
  • Where : Freeport, Maine

 

  • Class 2: Beer Break Bad: Chemistry & Sensory of Off Flavors
  • Led by: Rising Tide Brewing Company
  • When: Sunday, January 25, 2015 between 1-3pm
  • Where: Portland, Maine

 

  • Class 3: How we put the funk in Funky Bow
  • Led By: Funky Bow Brewery
  • When: Saturday, February 14, 2015
  • Where: Lyman, Maine

 

 

  • Class 5: The Flavor of Yeast
  • Led By: Foundation Brewing Company
  • When: Sunday, March 1, 2015 between 1-3pm
  • Where: Portland, Maine

 

  • Class 6: The Art of Blending Barrels
  • Led By: Allagash Brewing Company
  • When: Thursday, March 26, 2015 between 6-8pm\
  • Where: Portland, Maine

 

  • Class 7: The Perfect Cask
  • Led By: Geary Brewing Company
  • When: Thursday, April 16, 2015 between 4-6pm
  • Where: Portland, Maine

 

  • Class 8: Scuola Di Birra: 25 Years of Craft Brewing
  • Led By: Atlantic Brewing Company
  • When: Sunday, May 10, 2015
  • Where: Bar Harbor, Maine

 

  • Class 9: Field Trip with Baxter Brewing Company & Baxter Outdoors
  • Led By: Baxter Brewing Company
  • When: Saturday, May 16, 2015 at 10:30am
  • Where: Lewiston, Maine and Streaked Mountain, Hebron, Maine

 

 

  • Class 11: Beers and Bikes
  • Led By: Orono Brewing Company
  • When: Sunday, June 14, 2015 between 1-8pm
  • Where: Orono, Maine

Visit the Maine Brewers Guild page for a full class description.

 

If you don’t see a class that speaks to you or maybe your favorite brewery isn’t involved in round one never fear, the offerings of Beer School will continue to evolve in future semesters. “There’s talk of brewer-home brewer conferences where home brewers would get feedback on their recipes, brews, and tips from the pros, and other events that involve multiple breweries” said Sullivan.

“We have some of the most passionate beer drinkers in the country here in Maine, and we’re very excited to roll out this Beer School concept for 2015,” said Heather Sanborn, president of the board of directors for the Guild and co-owner of Rising Tide. “Beer School moves us beyond the traditional beer festival model and provides opportunities to promote Maine beer throughout the year.”

 

 

Chad Lothian

About Chad Lothian

Chad Lothian lives in Old Town, Maine. He is a craft beer enthusiast and homebrewer. Chad has travelled to brewpubs, breweries and brewfests all over New England.