Raise a glass and your beer IQ as you learn from one of the industry's most recognized international experts.
The Everyday Guide to Beer
Someone once said, "He was a wise man who invented beer." That guy wasn't wrong.
Rated 3 out of
5
by
Pman from
Very informational on types and background of beer
I found this course educational but a little lacking on depth. I was disappointed in the fact it seems more like an infomercial for Sierra Nevada. I also found the last part conversing with the chef completely pointless. I would have liked him to dive deeper into things like why bottled Guinness in America tastes COMPLETELY different than tap Guinness in Ireland. I watched it through the Amazon prime subscription and was going to rewatch the first few as there is a lot of info on the types of beer but alas it was pulled. :(
Date published: 2023-10-30
Rated 5 out of
5
by
slideonsteel from
Is this a Sierra Nevada Commercial?
How interesting that so many of you have observed that Dr. Bamforth is a consultant for Sierra Nevada and that he has taken that opportunity to utilize and capitalize upon that relationship to sell Sierra Nevada beers. He brought all this information into this course only to sell beer for his beloved employer.
What's wrong with him choosing to use a brewery that he has a relationship with and a friendship with? ... to help illustrate the educational information he wants to present? Would it be better if he hadn't used Sierra Nevada's taproom to talk about this? What would be better? A beer aisle in Kroger? That would be pretty unaffiliated, wouldn't it?
And don't think that Dr. Bamforth didn't feature beers other than Sierra Nevada. I myself went out looking for Troubador's beer and found it delightful. Often he alludes to well-known beers and keeps very neutral about their value and quality. Other times he compliments them. Keep in mind that there are going to be legal ramifications from being too specific.
So did his doing this at Sierra Nevada prevent you from learning that diacetyl tastes like butter? Did it prevent you from learning how long beer can remain fresh at various temperatures? Did it prevent you from learning what light-struck beer is? Shall I go on? Did you know the difference between ale yeast and lager yeast? If so, good, but what does that have to do with where he's telling you about that from? Is it advertising, that he might be telling you about it from a Sierra Nevada taproom? Does that make it suspicious?
Pardon me if I don't respect you for your suspicion.
Date published: 2023-09-08
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Driftless T from
Sessionable
Enjoyable. Mostly informative. Occasionally rambling and repetitious. Presenter Bamforth is knowledgeable and an easy listen. The episodes often morph into promotions for Sierra Nevada.
Date published: 2023-08-02
Rated 2 out of
5
by
michaleph from
Sierra Nevada Promotional Course?
In my opinion the way the techer engage into the tipic and the knowledge is great, but in the world of bear there's more the Sierra Nevada (SN). Giving too much enfasis to their proceces and product make the course a promotional for SN and leave a lot out of it, then we can qualify it as "incomplete". e.g. when he talk about Ales, he focus 50% of the time on SN ales, what about the rest? there's a lot motre and the course cover them just over the surface. So for a beguiner will be just ok but no for someone looking for more nowledge.
Date published: 2023-01-08
Rated 5 out of
5
by
gander from
All this course lacks are the tastes and smells.
I am a skilled beer drinker: open bottle and drink. Now, I understand a bit about what I like about beer. Break out the brew and sit back for lively and pleasant presentation that's never flat.
Date published: 2022-08-08
Rated 5 out of
5
by
wooknight from
What an education!!
All these years that I have been drinking beer , I had no idea so much went into it . Professor Bamforth is a treat to listen to and while I have no plans of ever becoming a home brewer , I have become a devotee of good beer . I recommend this course to anybody who has a passing interest in beer
Date published: 2022-07-19
Rated 5 out of
5
by
tsnabeel from
Wonderful information
Exceptionally knowledgeable lecturer, enjoyable time with this course.
Date published: 2022-07-11
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Brit Lover from
Likable, knowledgeable presenter.
I lived in Germany and other parts of Europe for several years and developed an appreciation of various brews. This entertaining course surely gave me an educated insight into what I enjoy, and why. Very insightful and a pleasure to view more than once. The presenter is the sort of bloke you'd love to share a pint with, and maybe a pork pie.
Date published: 2022-05-12
Overview
About
Charles W. Bamforth is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of California, Davis. He received his PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Hull. He is also a senior quality advisor to Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and an Honorary Professor in the School of Biosciences at the University of Nottingham. He has been part of the brewing industry since 1978, holding such positions as deputy director-general of Brewing Research International as well as quality assurance manager and research manager at Bass Brewers.
Professor Bamforth’s many academic and professional honors include the Award of Distinction from the American Society of Brewing Chemists, the Faculty Stewardship Award from the UC Davis Foundation, and the Brewers Association Recognition Award. He was also awarded the Horace Brown Medal, the highest accolade of the Institute of Brewing and Distilling; the Award of Honor by the Master Brewers Association of the Americas; and the Award of Distinction by the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at UC Davis.
Professor Bamforth has published numerous books and articles about beer throughout his career. Since 1985, he has also written prolifically about soccer. He has appeared extensively in the media, including on the BBC, Discovery Channel, NPR’s Science Friday, and PBS. His video credits include “The Art & Science of Beer,” Brew Dogs, How Beer Saved the World, How Stuff Works, and Ultimate Factories.
Professor Bamforth has presented lectures at numerous venues, including Google, the New York Academy of Sciences, the Smithsonian, and the National Press Club.
Trailer
01: 8,000 Years of Beer
Begin your journey with a primer on the history of beer and its place among peoples like the Sumerians, Egyptians, and the Medieval Benedictines. You’ll learn about figures like Dukes William IV and Ludwig X of Bavaria and the Reinheitsgebot, and even hear the fascinating story behind the origin of British pub signs.
31 min
02: Malt, Hops, Yeast, Water: How Beer Is Made
Now that you’ve traveled through beer’s history, you’re ready to discover how it’s made. You’ll go in-depth with ingredients like malt and hops, and which geographic regions of the world each variety comes from. Then, Sierra Nevada’s Head Brewer Scott Jennings will take you through the process of how this elite brewery produces its award-winning beer.
37 min
03: A Grand Tour of Beer Styles
Different fermentation techniques can result in radically different beer styles and flavors. Explore this concept within the context of products like ice beers, light beers, and “dry” beers, as well as with unique categories like gueuze and lambics.
19 min
04: All about Ales
Ale is one of beer’s most significant and diverse classifications. Here, you’ll investigate popular versions like pale ales, India pale ales (IPAs), and Scotch ales. But did you know that porters and stouts are also ales? Go in depth with this important beer category and then discover the unique characteristics of each sub-type.
33 min
05: All about Lagers
Germany’s impact on beer history cannot be overstated, and nowhere is this more prevalent than when drinking a glass of lager. A deceptively difficult beer to brew, this category includes styles like doppelbocks, marzens, and the increasingly popular Oktoberfest. But an Oktoberfestbier in Germany means something very different than it does in other parts of the world.
18 min
06: Beers of the World: Who Drinks What
The world’s leading beer brand has significantly more market share than Budweiser and Coors Light combined, and you’ve likely never heard of it. In this lesson on the business of beer, find out how this is possible and what top producers like Anheuser-Busch InBev, and micro and regional breweries all mean for the industry as a whole.
30 min
07: Enjoying Beer I: The Perfect Pour
How a beer looks can influence our perception before we even take our first sip. Learn why everything from a beer’s packaging and label to the bottles a brewery uses can affect our experience. You’ll also discover how to pour a beer properly to get the appropriate amount of foam, and what nucleation sites in a glass do for both presentation and flavor.
26 min
08: Enjoying Beer II: Maximizing Flavor
Did you know that the aroma from hops is made up of at least 420 different compounds? Learn the typical flavor each type of malt infuses into a beer and how different chemicals combine to form the sweet, salt, sour, or bitter notes each style is known for. Conclude with the proper serving temperature for most of the major beer types you’ve learned about in previous lessons.
31 min
09: Enjoying Beer III: Buying and Storing
The way beer is stored, packaged, and distributed can have a huge impact on how it tastes. Ryan Mintzer, packaging and warehouse manager at Sierra Nevada, will take you through some of the brewery’s best practices to ensure that each beer has optimal flavor and freshness before being poured into your glass.
30 min
10: Pairing Beer with Food
Pairing beer with food effectively can take some practice, but a few important tips will help you plan that next meal with confidence. Whether it’s matching beer with existing recipes or actually adding it into a dish, beer’s versatility should not be underestimated. Experience a five-course dinner menu with beer pairings, specially prepared by Jessie Massie, head chef at Sierra Nevada’s Mills River Taproom.
34 min
11: The Science of Quality Beer
Quality in beer can be very subjective and a difficult thing to quantify. General Manager Brian Grossman, of Sierra Nevada’s Mills River facility, and Quality Manager Liz Huber discuss this idea and how measurements of alcohol by volume (ABV), clarity, pH, and other checks are used to achieve desired results.
23 min
12: Beer and Human Health
Nutritious or just empty calories? In this final lesson, Dr. Bamforth will take you through the health benefits and risks associated with beer consumption, such as recommended consumption limits and why moderation has been preached since this beverage’s early days. However, beer also contains antioxidants and an array of vitamins like niacin, folic acid, and riboflavin.
27 min
