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How to make beer and food 'dance'!

February 23, 2007: Making Beer and Food Dance may out one in mind of an Andrew Lloyd-Webber musical, but it is, in fact, new, half-day beer and food matching course being introduced by the Beer Academy.

It has been developed as a result of positive feedback on the beer an food element of the Beer Academy's Foundation course. It aims to help anyone interested in food gain the confidence to choose specific beer styles to accompany each dish — and to develop beer & food matching menus at home or for entertaining.

The intention is for the courses to be available across most areas of the UK where there is sufficient demand for between 15-20 ‘students’ per course, with the half day courses costing £75 plus VAT and the full day foundation course £125 plus VAT (there will be special rates for groups). Courses can be held in pubs, clubs, on ocean liners or in private homes – or as corporate days.

Beer Academy chief executive, Dr George Philliskirk, said: "Don’t get me wrong – I often enjoy a glass of wine with a meal, but the range of flavours available in beers lend themselves to matching with almost any food.

"A big favourite of mine is combining beers with cheese. Cheese, like beer, has a rich diversity of flavours (and textures) and, in combination with a well-chosen beer, the subtleties of both the beer and cheese work together to deliver great taste, as well as leaving a palate that is clean and refreshed.

"Why not try Stilton cheese with a strong and malt-rich traditional British ale? It beats wine or Port hands-down. Or a mature cheddar with a hoppier ale or bitter.

“For dark chocolate pudding, what better than a Belgian cherry beer —a wonderful combination of tartness and fruit which does wonders for the chocolate?

"Or for your smoked fish starters why not tempt customers with cool wheat beer, or lemony pale ale to ‘help the fish swim’! Get the idea! It doesn’t need a fancy menu to put together successful beer and food combos, just a willingness to learn and experiment and bring together chefs and bar staff to create a beer and food menu that will amaze your friends — and maybe make them dance!"

The Beer Academy, which has had over 3000 students since its launch in 2003, has also launched a half-day introduction to beer course, aimed at anyone interested in beer. The course covers beer’s raw materials and its brewing process, while emphasis is also given to the many styles and colours of beers worldwide. The course concludes with a short session on beer and food matching.