step by step guidelines on 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 pageb) Table of contentsc) Introductiond) 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 usediii. 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 DinnerThings 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 beforeCall 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 DinnerThe 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 DinnerAddressing 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 DinnerThank 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!