{ Iwas asked to accompany the lovely Csilla Swain from Speigelau Australia to the Melbourne Good Food & Wine Show to co-host some beer tasting/beer glass Masterclasses as a kind of ‘test run’ to see if the concept has merit in such a forum. Matt and I had been approached to do something similar by the show organisers while in Brisbane last year. Hopefully, with the support of the partnering breweries and the general public we can further advance the cause of good beer and bring beer to its rightful place at the table alongside wine. PM }

We all know that beer is best enjoyed when it is decanted from the bottle, can or even the bright beer or serving tank, into a glass. But have you ever really considered the glass itself?

Apart from the obvious convenience of beer-in-a-glass (far easier to carry around than a bright beer tank) a nice beer glass will also enhance the overall drinking experience. But have you ever really thought about the right beer glass for the beer you have so carefully selected?

The Melbourne Good Food & Wine Show held over the weekend saw an opportunity for Beer Novice and Expert alike to delve into the unknown and ‘taste-test’ a range of glassware designed especially for beer. Speigelau Australia was kind enough to partner-up with brewers, distributors and suppliers to create a tasting space which allowed for a relaxed and enjoyable beer tasting experience. We do, however, still have a way to go before we are on level terms with those wine folk who had a 500 seat lecture theatre-style area, or before we can even lever the word ‘beer’ into a good food and wine show.

I would encourage any craft beer lover who has not already embraced the joy of drinking beer from a beautifully crafted and thoughtfully designed beer glass to keep an eye out for tasting experiences like this as it really makes concrete the difference between ‘good’ and ‘really amazingly good’. From the thinness of the glass itself to the shape and size and proportions of the vessel, everything has been done to serve a purpose. It is not until a comparative tasting using regular, everyday bar glasses is experienced until the real difference is revealed.

Speigelau Australia and their partners in the Melbourne Good Food & Wine Show are to be applauded for making a solid effort to reach out to non-beer drinkers and fans alike by offering these consumer opportunities. At (I think) just $40** for an hour listening to me and Csilla from Speigelau waffle on and riff off each other before receiving a gift bag valued at over $50 AND getting to have three beautifully crafted Australian craft beers (at 11 o’clock in the morning!) it is better value for money than many similar offerings.

The Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide shows have similar tastings planned so stay tuned for ticket details. Brews News may even have a promo code for readers to get a discounted entry to the rest of the show as well.

*Yes, I just realised that I have wantonly ripped off the tagline used by good friend and friend of Brews News, James ‘The Crafty Pint’ Smith but I’m sure he won’t mind. I will shout him a beer to make sure.

**Speigelau Australia also held tastings using five glass types, a tasting featuring Bridge Road beers and another featuring Phoenix-stable international beers.