Another Beer Skool Class "Graduates..."
by Kurt Epps--The PubScout
Employing the fail-safe teaching methods of combining good cheer and good beer, Tap Time, a local favorite OIB craft beer bar, graduated another class of now-beer-savvy students at a sold-out Beer Skool last night.
The Beer Skool Series, brain-child of Tap Time owners Keith and Christa Berciunas, has seen increasing popularity with another one planned for mid-February. And that one already has seats taken.
Yours truly is privileged to be the "visiting professor" who tries to mix real beer education with some fun. Generally, Tap Time will provide five (and sometimes six) 4 oz. samples to students, along with a pour of whatever was their favorite of the night.
And since everyone likes surprises, the Professor brings a few hard-to-find brews to enhance the enjoyment factor. "I follow the classic dictum of Sam Adams owner Jim Koch who says, "All beer is good. Some beer is better" says The PubScout.
"We get a variety of beer drinkers at Beer Skool," says Christa. "Some are very experienced, looking for new beers to enjoy, and some are brand new to beer. Some even insist that they really 'don't like beer,' but come for the camaraderie. Those are Kurt's favorites, because by night's end, he usually has them admitting that they 'didn't know beer could taste like that.' "
Last night's event opened with one of those "That's a beer?" beers called Bitburger Radler. A Bill's Pilsner and a Czech Pilsner followed, then a Deep River beer called "West on Main" introduced the students to a West Coast IPA.
Ellie's Brown Dog from Avery in Colorado was next, and many had never even tried a Brown. "There's always a risk in offering a brown ale," the PubScout allowed, "because so many folks think that dark beers are "stronger" beers. Of course, they are not always, and seeing folks appreciate the subtleties of a well done brown is always rewarding."
Then Edward Teech brewing offered a Belgian-Style brew called "Mark of Five," which was very favorably received, especially by Jim Procunier, a registered member of the Beer Cognoscenti, who declared, "I've tasted beers in most states, but I'll tell you NOBODY in NC--or maybe anywhere--is making a beer better than this."
The final Tap Time Beer was a 9.4% Baltic Porter from Southern Pines called "Long Dark Night." Served with Christa's Chocolate Chip Cookies, it was a surprisingly big hit, especially for those "I don't like dark beer" folks. Even Beer newbie Angela--from East Brunswick, NJ--declared "this was very good!"
The night ended with another PubScout surprise--Lindemann's Kriek Lambic, which, suffice to say, astounded Erik, whose wife gave him a Beer Skool seat as a Christmas present. "Is that a RED beer?" he demanded. Yes, it was, and he loved it.
The next Beer Skool class is set for February 15. Tickets are $15 and reservations can be made online at Tap Time or in the bar over the counter.
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