Introduction to Beer Facilitation and blind tasting
A good Facilitator
Facilitation is a multi-faceted approach to education. It requires different skills and the ability to read an audience. “A true educator acts as a facilitator of learning”
The class started with Roger’s beer facilitation. He wanted to show us how to properly conduct a beer facilitation.
He was presenting three beers from Unibroue brewery from Chambly, Quebec.
– Blanche de Chambly
– La Fin du Monde
– Trois Pistoles
What is considered a great learning experience:
• Desire
• Passion
• Motivation
• Reinforcement
Creating a personal Connection:
• Physical
• Vocal
• Dynamic
• Anecdotal
• Expertise
Adult Learning principles:
• Adults are autonomous and self-directed
• Must be actively involved in the learning process
• WIIFM (What’s In It For Me)
• Responsibility is in the hands of the learner
Tips for success:
• Use icebreakers to ease tension
• Use icebreakers to ease tension
• Use different colours of markers to highlight different points on flip charts
• Use anecdotes – people tend to relate to real life situations better than theory
• Look at it from their point of view (WIIFM )
• Important to provide framework
As a facilitator you:
• need effective listening skills
• to keep the group on track
• the right questions to probe creativity and insight
• all participants
These are all important things to keep in mind when learning about beer facilitation. It always looks easy, until it is your turn to do it. Some people are scared of public speaking or get too nervous. But, like everything else, you can only get better with practice. Practice makes everything perfect! Facilitation skills are especially important for this course, as one of our first assignments will be the beer presentation. We will have to pick 2 beers and present them to the rest of the class. We have 5 minutes for each beer. There will be no marks, as it’s just a preliminary beer facilitation evaluation. The Final Presentation will be marked.
Blind tasting notes
5 pilsners (Bohemian and German)
1. Staropramen
2. Collingwood
3. Czechvar
4. Bitburger
5. Jever
This blind tasting wasn’t as easy as it seemed. The biggest help was a description of both, German and Bohemian Pilsner in the bottom. If it wasn’t for that, I honestly think no one would guess.
I had Staropramen so many times in my life, but it didn’t even cross my mind that the first beer could be it.
The only beer I wasn’t sure about was the third one, which didn’t taste like a pilsner. It tasted like a lager. As it turned out, it wasn’t a Pilsner…
It’s important to remember that German Pilsners don’t have citrus or honey notes. Another thing is that European Pilsners are not hazy. (Collingwood Rockwell Pilsner was hazy). If not sure, start with elimination method. I will write more about blind tasting. This is just a preview.
