Brewers Association, The Beer Academy and Beer for Summer competition head 2015 Imbibe Live’s beer line-up
The Brewers Association will make their Imbibe Live debut at Olympia on 29 and 30 June to give visitors a true taste of stateside craft beer. The American organisation will be showcasing over 80 craft American beers from 28 breweries, many of which are not yet available to the UK. The BA’s executive chef Adam Duyle, will be presenting a craft beer and food tasting masterclass on Monday. The culinary vision behind the BA’s extensive array of beer and food events (see Notes to Editors), Adam will deliver an unmissable event for those exploring the compatibility of craft beer and contemporary cuisine.
The BA’s new American Craft Beer European Ambassador, Sylvia Kopp, will also be making her UK debut, and will be on the BA stand throughout the show. One of Germany’s leading beer sommeliers, Sylvia is the co-founder and leader of Berlin Beer Academy.
Following its successful debut in 2014, The Beer Academy will be hosting not two but three 90-minute Introductions into the Wonder of Beer, led by Britain’s first Beer Sommelier, veteran brewer and educator, Nigel Sadler, and 2014 Beer Sommelier of the Year, Jane Peyton. Britain’s newly crowned Beer Sommelier of the Year, Rod Jones, will be among those giving half-hour seminars, offering guests the opportunity to taste and talk with some of the country’s foremost beer experts in the Bite-sized Beer Academy series.
Mark Dorber, Imbibe Live’s Beer & Cider Ambassador, will be hosting this year’s Beer Safaris. Those wishing to jump on board should sign up at The Beer Academy stand for an unmissable chance to taste Mark’s beer highlights from the show.
Imbibe Live’s inaugural beer competition offered the brewers of Britain the challenge of brewing A Beer for Summer. The five finalists are: Bison Beer, By The Horns Brewing Co, Green Jack Brewery, Keltek Cornish Brewery and The Celt Experience. They will battle it out in the Brewers’ Den, Centre Stage at 12.15pm, Monday 29 June to win the audience’s vote. The winner secures a seasonal listing at The Draft House and a trip with Budweiser Budvar, with all finalists subsequently being available to taste in the show’s Apple & Hop Garden, and featuring in There’s A Beer For That’s next Beer Club, on 1 July.
Other new features this year include the Czech Beer Garden, a Drinks Wales stand with Otley and Purple Moose among its exhibitors, while the popular Beer Trends masterclass from Ben McFarland and Tom Sandham is among the returning attractions.
For those interested in cider, look out for a number of new faces, and don’t miss The Art of the Cider Maker on Tuesday, 11.45am. Following a tasting and blending masterclass, sixth generation cider maker David Sheppy offers attendees the chance to blend their own and compete for the title Best Amateur Blender.
The show will also feature numerous other cider and beer exhibitors including Adnams, Duvel, Heineken, Hogan’s Cider, Meantime Brewing Company, Morgenrot and Vertical Drinks.
