Reflections of a Beer Guy
A short time ago, I found myself on a beer junket. My travels took to me to the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. As I was flying into Kelowna (for the first time), I marvelled at the incredible beauty and then immediately started to wonder about the centuries of glaciers that carved out this magnificent valley. I had the opportunity to tour the Okanagan Springs Brewery with Master Brewer, Stefan Tobler. Great brewery, great beer! The next day as I boarded the plane to Calgary for my next stop on the beer training agenda, I was hit with an epiphany.
I have had an incredible experience with beer and my love and passion for this great social drink has taken me from one coast to the other. I started to jot down cities that I've had the pleasure of conducting beer events in and the list was plentiful and expansive. Some of my favourite memories include a trip to St. John's in the dead of winter, where you could not see the houses because of the snow drifts - this little venture to the Rock also revealed that Canadian Tire money was legal tender on George St. Afterall, you can use the funny money to pick up sundries to keep the establishment running. Another recent trip took me to the Mondiale de la Biere in Montreal - something every beer lover should attend. It was an incredible experience to say the least with over 500 hundred beers available from 40 some odd brewers. Included in my 3 days, was also a tour of the Canada Malting Plant and a personalized tour of the Unibroue brewery in Chambly.
Several months ago, I had the pleasure of hosting a beer dinner on behalf of Microsoft down at the Steam Whistle Brewery in Toronto. During a break in the agenda, one of the speakers from Microsoft asked me whether I ever get tired of doing these kind of events.
Are you kidding? Think of this - I get to travel the country, meet all sorts of new and interesting folks, enjoy a great meal along with fantastic beer all the while being allowed the opportunity to share my passion for beer. This can't possibly be tiring.
I love what I do and more importantly, I love helping others to gain a finer understanding of beer and all that surrounds it.
In the coming months, I will be introducing Prud'homme Beer Certification, Canada's first certification program in beer (similar to a sommelier in wine). You can read about it on this site or pick up a copy of TAPS magazine for more information.
As the most interesting man in the world says - 'Stay Thirsty My Friends'
I have had an incredible experience with beer and my love and passion for this great social drink has taken me from one coast to the other. I started to jot down cities that I've had the pleasure of conducting beer events in and the list was plentiful and expansive. Some of my favourite memories include a trip to St. John's in the dead of winter, where you could not see the houses because of the snow drifts - this little venture to the Rock also revealed that Canadian Tire money was legal tender on George St. Afterall, you can use the funny money to pick up sundries to keep the establishment running. Another recent trip took me to the Mondiale de la Biere in Montreal - something every beer lover should attend. It was an incredible experience to say the least with over 500 hundred beers available from 40 some odd brewers. Included in my 3 days, was also a tour of the Canada Malting Plant and a personalized tour of the Unibroue brewery in Chambly.
Several months ago, I had the pleasure of hosting a beer dinner on behalf of Microsoft down at the Steam Whistle Brewery in Toronto. During a break in the agenda, one of the speakers from Microsoft asked me whether I ever get tired of doing these kind of events.
Are you kidding? Think of this - I get to travel the country, meet all sorts of new and interesting folks, enjoy a great meal along with fantastic beer all the while being allowed the opportunity to share my passion for beer. This can't possibly be tiring.
I love what I do and more importantly, I love helping others to gain a finer understanding of beer and all that surrounds it.
In the coming months, I will be introducing Prud'homme Beer Certification, Canada's first certification program in beer (similar to a sommelier in wine). You can read about it on this site or pick up a copy of TAPS magazine for more information.
As the most interesting man in the world says - 'Stay Thirsty My Friends'
posted by Roger Mittag at
5:56 AM
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