Tag Archives: Better Beer Society

Better Beer Society Unveils New Classes for BBSU

March 9, 2016 Sean Cooke

After providing years of education on beer to craft beer fans who are thirsty for more knowledge (get it?), the Better Beer Society has unveiled a new format to their classes and have started enrollment into their new programs. The announcement came today with this message from BBS’ Founder and Certified Cicerone® Rob Shellman:

“We are excited to announce that beginning this spring term, Better Beer Society University is further expanding it’s program to include a new, 200 level advanced course, as well as a professional track for individuals considering a career in the hospitality, food and beverage industries.”

The well-known classes held in recent semesters at Republic 7 Corners have featured classes that explore different angles of the industry and brought in guests from across the country such as Ray Daniels of the Cicerone Certification Program and Sean Paxton, “The Homebrew Chef.” The program’s focus was originally designed to provide a variety of topics that would never repeat so as to continue education for their student base over multiple semesters. In the new format however, these classes will become a consistent beer 101 course. This course will consist of static core classes aimed at providing a good knowledge base upon which to build their knowledge in the advanced courses. This class is 9 weeks long. will repeat every semester.

To put the ‘U’ in BBSU, the program will now offer advanced courses, which will be shorter and more intensely focused on specific topics like homebrewing, Belgian beer, or food & beer pairing. These advanced courses will consist of three 90-minute classes at a variety of venues such as the Lake Monster taproom and Surly’s Beerhall.

Today’s announcement also refers to a “professional track” which has yet to be unveiled, but will serve as a more specific training program tailored for those who already work or are looking to start a new career in the beer or restaurant industry.

As usual, all of BBSU’s classes are taught be Certified Cicerone’s® as leading industry experts. This semester’s instructors include the long-standing instructor for the program, Michael Agnew (A Perfect Pint), as well as newer faces Frank Roy (Artisan Beer Co), Sean Cooke (Lake Monster Brewing Co), and Shaun Kopp (Better Beer Society).

For those interested in signing up, BBSU’s 100-level class is open for enrollment at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2522367

Advanced courses will be open for enrollment soon.

Newsfeed

#MNCLEANPINT Campaign Returns

February 3, 2015 Andrew Schmitt

How clean is your beer glass?

#MNCLEANPINT is a social media awareness campaign created by Joe Falkowski at J.J. Taylor Distributing Company of MN to promote the proper cleaning of glassware at Minneasota bars and pubs. (Sorry, no taprooms)

Throughout February consumers and on-sale retailers are encouraged to share photos of their beer on social media (Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook) that has been served in proper “beer clean” glassware and tag it with #MNCleanPint and your location. At the end of the month, the establishment (excluding tap rooms) with the most mentions will win be crowned as the owners of “Cleanest Pint in Minnesota.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjLLYyitO1M

MN Beer Activists is proud to support the #MNCLEANPINT educational initiative along with J.J. Taylor Distributing Company of MN, Cicerone® Certification Program, Micromatic, The Better Beer Society, MNBeer.com, and A Perfect Pint. Feel free to tag MNBeerActivists in your photos, we’ll be retweeting, regramming, and toasting consumers all month long.

The campaign for clean glassware kicks off February 3rd, at the location of 2014 Cleanest Pint in Minnesota, Northbound Smokehouse & Brewpub. The winning establishment gets a party from J.J. Taylor. Other prizes include Cicerone® training and tests, a $100 bar tab, a home kegerater kit, glassware, and lots of other prizes throughout the campaign.

Joe Falkowski talks #MNCleanPint on the MN BeerCast

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-minnesota-beercast/id936715007

Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-minnesota-beercast

http://www.twincitiesnewstalk.com/media/podcast-the-minnesota-beercast-MinnesotaBeercast/schells-brewing-company-jj-taylor-distribution-25725994/

Legislative Events, Newsfeed

Video: Understanding MN Beer Tax Laws with BBS University

May 21, 2013 Andrew Schmitt

I was honored to moderate a great discussion panel about beer and taxes in Minnesota at Better Beer Society University.

Luckily we avoided the excise tax increase this year. To see how everything played out in the legislature click here.

Pop some popcorn and watch the beer business wisdom flow from Paul Morrissey jr. (Capitol Beverage), Dan Schwarz (Lift bridge), Jason Alvey (Four Firkins), Joe Falkowski (JJ Taylor), Pete Rifakes (Town Hall brewery), Mark Joseph (Ale jail).

Many thanks to Rob at BBS for including consumers in the conversation.

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Better Beer Society / Homebrew Chef Educational Beer Dinner

April 20, 2013 Andrew Schmitt

The Better Beer Society proudly presents a very special beer dinner with famed beer chef Sean Z. Paxton (aka – The Homebrew Chef).
Chef Paxton hails from San Francisco is arguably the most famous beer chef in the world, creating beer dinners for some of the best craft breweries in the nation, as well as for Brewers Association events such as the Craft Brewers Conference and the Great American Beer Festival. In addition, he is a respected author and hosts a monthly podcast on The Brewing Network.

Better Beer Society is a Twin Cities based educational organization dedicated to the growth and awareness of craft beer in Minnesota. BBS provides education through staff training at the retail level, as well as on the consumer level with its highly attended Better Beer Society University program.

The Homebrew Chef has recently partnered with the Better Beer Society on a collaboration dinner showcasing 5 of Minnesota’s craft breweries. Together we’re bringing education to the table as we present the concept and technique of cooking with beer and beer ingredients, as well as the presenting the principles of pairing beer with food.

Join BBS on Friday April 26th at Republic in Uptown, as they present what is sure to be a beer dinner unlike any other you’ve experienced. You will also be joined by Brewmasters and owners of the following brewing companies: Surly, Schell’s, Indeed, Summit, and Steel Toe.

Tickets are $90 (not including tip + gratuity), and reservations are being taken by phone. Please contact 612.886.2309 to reserve your seat(s), as space is limited and this event will sell out fast. Social hour @ 6pm / Dinner @ 7pm.

For more information on Better Beer Society or this event, please contact Rob Shellman directly at rob@betterbeersociety.com or 612.226.7622

What: Better Beer Society / Homebrew Chef Educational Beer Dinner
When: Friday April 26th / 6pm
Where: Republic Calhoun Square

Minnesota Beer Activists