The rise of the beer sommelier: Why it’s time to put beer on the same footing as wine

A pint of lager and a medium glass of wine both contain around the same alcohol content – two or three British units (16-24g). However, your descent into inebriation relies on that alcohol passing into your blood stream – and the speed at which this happens can depend on the type of drink.

Key Takeaways:

• Despite the fact that the category has enjoyed massive growth, with 42,000 outlets now stocking craft beers alone and has been verified as a partner to food, we are yet to see restaurant diners offered beer lists alongside or, instead of, the wine list.
• Hughes, who is one of 135 accredited beer sommeliers, is working hard to make more space for beer in restaurants in particular. He has collaborated with a number of chefs, including Nathan Outlaw, Tom Kerridge and Alyn Williams to advise them on beers to work with their menus.
• The main reason beer sommeliers are encouraging restaurants, pubs and hotels to consider promoting beer as a match to food is because they believe the vast range of beers now on the market offer so many flavour variations and, with an improved focus on quality from the industry, they provide a valid alternative.

“Generally you’re trying to compliment things and sometimes get contrast – cheese with an old ale, or fish with a beer with a citrus or hop note in it.”

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