This past weekend I was invited by Vimbly to take the Home Brew 101 class at Bitter & Esters. Being the type to drink a good beer but not fully understand what makes a beer good, I of course didn't want to miss this. Honestly, this class is made of 'icebreaker' gold if you got your eye on a cute bartender or beer enthusiast. This class had all the elements of 'awesome'.
Upon entering Bitter & Esters, on a Friday night during MTA rush hour hell, I was greeted with a godsend. A pint of homebrew that would put any Heineken to shame. And the entire store smelled delicious, it was as if toll house cookie dough was manifesting somewhere within the shelves. I felt like we met before and they knew exactly how I took my coffee... but with beer.
Our instructor was John La Polla, he was not only a master of brewing but he kept the momentum of the class going, knowing exactly when to throw in a pun or a fact. He made sure we were hands on and had an answer for every question asked. While filling us in on how beer is made, he made sure to fill our heads on how to make our own beer - with tidbits of beer history of course. For instance, did you know that a nun suggested that brewers use hops to preserve beers? Me neither, until John told me.
Bitter & Esters has forever filled my brain with booze knowledge, but it craves more so I will be heading back for another class or tasting. Who knows, I might be even come up with a batch of Sex w. Candy beers. And definitely no more blank faces from me, when the bartender asks if I'll take an IPA or lager.
If any of you are in the New York City area, I absolutely recommend the classes at Bitter & Esters. They are informational, fun, and always served with a pint. And (!!!) they are the only place in the city to brew your own batch. If you go soon, you can gift your friends with a very personal homebrew, made straight from your heart.
P.s. Please be sure to check out the other awesome classes and activities offered through Vimbly, if you ever find yourself craving a little more Oomph out of New York City.
