Welcome to Beer Study Hall
Beer Study Hall is where curiosity about beer turns into deeper understanding. Explore clear, approachable articles about beer styles, ingredients, brewing processes, sensory science, history, and the many details that shape what ends up in your glass. Whether you are studying for an exam or simply want to learn more about beer, start wherever your interests take you.
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Beer & Food Pairing: Tofu Tikka Masala & British Brown Ale
I enjoyed Newcastle the best because it accentuated the earthiness of the tofu and basmati rice while highlighting the umami and acidity of the tomato-based sauce. The sweetness of the malt cut the spiciness from the chiles and spices to let the flavor really shine through and tamed the heat just enough that I was ready for another bite.
I Tried It: Beer & Food Pairings or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying & Pair Doppelbock with Everything
The virtue of whatever dish I'm making is that the individual ingredients taste good when you cook them into one dish - I'm not making toothpaste and orange juice casserole.
I Tried It: BJCP Beer Judging Exam
I held out on becoming a BJCP judge for a surprisingly long time for someone who is obsessed with getting points and advancing ranks. There are plenty of times, even for me, when I want to just. drink. a. beer. Not evaluate it.
I Tried It: Hop Tea
The method I tried was brewing teas out of nine different kinds of hops using a coffee maker. To do this experiment, you'll need a small coffeemaker, coffee filters, and as many different types of hops as you like.
I Tried It: Strong Belgian Ales Blind Tasting
How did I find the difference between Belgian Blond Ales, Belgian Golden Strong Ales, and Belgian Tripels?
Pretty much like the difference between Queen's "Under Pressure" and Vanilla Ice's "Ice, Ice, Baby," as described by Vanilla Ice.
Advanced Cicerone Exam, Here I Come!
In a little over six months, I’ll go to the Cicerone Certification Program offices in Chicago, where I’ll sit for the day-long exam. The Advanced Cicerone exam will cover a subset of the information within the Master Cicerone exam and will have the same sections tested on each Cicerone level exam: keeping and serving beer; beer styles; beer flavor and evaluation; beer ingredients and brewing processes; and pairing beer with food.
I Tried It: American & International Lagers Blind Taste Test
Being a craft beer person, it’s not often I drink beers that fall into the American Light Lager, American Lager, and International Pale Lager categories, such as Bud Light, Budweiser, and Heineken.
Becoming a Certified Cicerone: Part Four
I’ve heard and read a lot of stuff about what you should and should not do the morning of your Cicerone tasting exam: don’t eat, don’t drink coffee, don’t smoke, don’t wear perfume. I’m a brat when it comes to being hungry.