How to win a beer challenge

Last week I won a beer challenge!!!! I know, I still can’t believe it myself! *blush*

The occasion? The media launch of Cape Town Festival of Beer, which took the form of a “College of Beer” hosted by Keg King Martin Tucker. The evening consisted of a tasting of 13 different types of beer, 4 food and beer pairings, as well as a blind tasting competition – which I won! Well, sort of…

The host of the evening, Keg King Martin Tucker, also known as MrTuckBox.

To be honest, I actually came second after loosing the down-down in the final round (shocking!)… but as luck will have it, my opponent is an employee of the Keg Kings, who are also the organisers of Cape Town Festival of Beer. So by default, I was declared the winner (Yippee ki yay!!!) and walked away with a case full of craft beers!

I won these….

…..and all of these….

I love beer. I love wine. Hell, give me anything with a % and I’m happy! The fact that I consume more than my fair share does not make me a connoisseur on any level. Or does it?

With so many beer aficionado in the house that evening, I still have no clue how I cracked the ”College of Beer” challenge. But I did have a strategy, well sort of, which I’ll share below…

How to win the ”Collage of Beer” Challenge

  • Arrive late by at least an hour. This will put the competitors under the misconception that you’ve missed half the class in any case – what’s the chances of you winning, right?
  • Show no fear by claiming a seat right in front. The will allow the peanut gallery in the back to comment on your arrogance. The aim is to get them to focus on you dear, not on the beer.
  • Trust your instincts by associating the beer in the glass with aromas that are familiar to you, now matter how crazy it might sound.
  • Pray that none of the beers tasted before your arrival are in the line-up.
  • Be the teacher’s pet by answering all his questions. This will keep the peanut gallery distracted while your eyes are firmly on the prize!
  • Down beer at every single occasion you get, because your luck might not be as good as mine….

So there you have it! All that’s left to do now is book your tickets for the 2012 Cape Town Festival of Beer, the biggest beer party of the year!

The Festival is set for the 23rd, 24th and 25th of November at Hamilton’s Rugby Club, and is bringing even more beer to the table than ever before. There like a bear!!!