The rapidly expanding craft beer market means that it is no longer acceptable to simply stock your bar or restaurant with eight or so lagers and classify them as “local” and “premium”.

Beer in Australia is now richly diverse, providing a colourful spectrum of flavours and styles that can suit many different situations and dining experiences. Today the long standing convention to curate a wine list is just as valid for beer.

Restaurant owners, bar staff and beer drinkers now have a new resource to help master the experience of better beer. Scribal Publishing, publishers of The Critics Choice – Australia’s Best Beers, have released a third book in the Beer Lovers Guide to Australia series. The first two books provided a road map to the current breweries and beers of Australia. This year’s release turns the book’s focus to trade education, providing more in-depth beer knowledge and essential instruction in the selection and serving of beer.

Just as the local beer market is growing and becoming much more diverse, so are the expectations of drinkers when ordering beer at a bar or with food. Craft beer’s variation in flavour, texture, strength and character demands attention and consideration to the way it is served and paired to food. Hence, lack of attention to beer’s place at the table can really dimish the dining experience of today’s food and drink lover.

Outside of higher education is brewing science, the number of beer sommelier-style courses and seminars has also grown significantly across Australia in the last year, ranging from introduction to beer sessions to classes in detecting and recognising beer faults. Recognised formal education in beer hospitality is now a reality.

The Complete Beer Service and Sommelier’s Manual presents this education in a single package that is accessible to everyone, especially those who would normally prefer to avoid the expense and logistics of a structured course.

A shelf from James’ beer library

Yes, Australian Brews News indeed has notable interest in these books. Both Matt Kirkegaard and Pete Mitchem have been editorial contributors to previous Beer Lovers Guide books and have again played signficant roles in production of the Complete Beer Service and Sommelier’s Manual.

Matt and Pete will both be on hand to launch this book at a special “Bachelor of Beer”, prior to the Fed Square Microbreweries Showcase on Thursday 25th October. [JD]

Media Release

The Beer Lovers Guide To Australia in partnership with Fed Square presents “The Bachelor of Beer”, the official launch of the Beer Loves Guide to Australia Complete Beer Service & Sommelier’s Manual, presented by Matt Kirkegaard and Pete Mitcham.

This new book focuses on trade education. It overs topics like serving beer, caring for beer, building a beer list, beer and food, along with an elegantly presented up to date catalogue of Australia’s best beers – (both bottle and draught).

Not only is the book a great resource for the beer loving public, but this year it is a must have for every bar, retailer and restaurant interested in building a stronger beer business.

Guest speakers will include brewers from Mountain Goat, Prickly Moses and more.

This event is for every beer consumer, bar owner, retailer and restaurant interested in beer.

A must attend event for anyone getting started in craft beer.

• Do you work behind a bar?
• Do you want to know more about beer?
• What’s a Saison? What’s a Stout?

Event: The Bachelor of Beer – launch of the Complete Beer Service & Sommelier’s Manual

Date & Time: Thursday 25th October 2012, 3.30pm – 4:30pm

Location: BMW Edge, Federation Square, Melbourne

Cost: $80

Tickets available online through Ticketmaster.

Ticket price includes a copy of “The Critics Choice – Australia’s Best Beers”, a limited edition Beer Lovers Guide engraved beer glass, entry to the Feq Square Microbreweries Showcase and a showbag. (show bag limited to first 100 tickets)