Do you want to become a beer connoisseur? Then hop on for this voyage of beer discovery, says Paul Hegarty from the Beer Academy, UK.
Until a few years ago, beer was just beer. Nowadays, it has achieved connoisseur status. What has fuelled this increasing appreciation?
This beer renaissance is being driven by both brewing expertise and greater consumer demand for new and exciting beers all around the world
A number of things have increased the appreciation for beer. First, there is more beer journalism and coverage in newspapers and on television and radio. Also, brewers are holding tastings to help people discover just how varied beer is, to explain the impact of different raw materials and brewing techniques on flavour, and to give advice on how to match beer and food.
Moreover, there is a far greater variety of beer styles on the market to try. In many countries, one or two brands used to dominate the market. Increasingly the large brewers are marketing a portfolio of different beers and there are also imported beers and micro brewed beers to choose from. This makes the beer category more exciting for today’s drinker.
When was the Beer Academy set up and with what aim?
The Beer Academy is an educational body that was founded by a small group of beer enthusiasts in 2003 to help people understand, appreciate and enjoy beer sensibly.
What courses does the Beer Academy offer and are these recognised by the catering industry?
The Beer Academy offers a range of courses and qualifications ranging from a 90-minute tutored introduction to beer to a two-day advanced course for serious beer connoisseurs. Its most prestigious award is the Beer Academy Sommelier Qualification that was created in 2011 and there are now over 30 Beer Academy accredited sommeliers internationally. Full details of all Beer Academy courses and events can be found on www.beeracademy.co.uk.
Is beer best enjoyed on its own or can it also be used in cocktails?
There is no right and wrong about what beer you should drink or whether you can use it as the base for cocktails – it’s all about personal preference. However, the more you know about beer, the better. It can help you to find the right beer for the right occasion or to choose the perfect base for a beer cocktail.
Which variety of beer is best with what food?
Beer’s great strength in food matching is its enormous diversity. Whether it’s a floral lager, golden ale, wheat beer, fruit beer, mild, stout or porter, there is a beer out there that will work with any food.
The joy is the voyage of discovery – sometimes, it’s quite unexpected. I still remember with astonishment discovering just how well a Belgian fruit beer complemented a tuna steak with a sesame dressing.
Which country is currently at the forefront of brewing?
Historically the UK, Germany and Belgium would have been seen as being out in front with the sheer diversity of beer styles that they produce. Then they started to be eclipsed by the US microbrewers who have been brewing some startling beers over the past couple of decades.
However, the Europeans have not been resting on their laurels and we are seeing an explosion of interesting new beers in these markets too. This beer renaissance is being driven by both brewing expertise and greater consumer demand for new and exciting beers all around the world.
Would you say that beer will increase in popularity and will it ever be able to compete with wine?
It’s not a question of beer being better or worse than wine. Traditionally, we have seen beer as being about refreshment and wine about connoisseurship. People now realise that wine can be refreshing and that beer is incredibly diverse.
It’s not a competition that one category will win and the other will lose – it’s about opening people’s eyes to the opportunities. Most of us will drink both wine and beer on different occasions. Consumer education on beer and wine helps people challenge outdated stereotypes and as a result allows them to make more interesting choices.