We recently had out first Beer 101 course for staff members. International beer judge and Head of our Genetic and Viral Engineering Facility, Jim Sawitzke, first challenged us to a blind tasting and then a tour of major beer varieties. Take home messages were: “if you like it, it’s a good beer” and “if it doesn’t come in a brown bottle, it’s skunked!” – which left me wondering why I kind of like Heineken. 
Apparently Heineken tried to change their green bottle color at some point, but were forced to relent by popular demand. Find a scientific explanation for the skunk effect here. The tour ended with us sipping beers with names like ‘Arrogant Bastard Ale’ and ‘Rauchbier’ (trans. Smoke Beer) – both dreadful! Unless of course you’re at the higher levels of beer appreciation. Can’t wait for the advanced course.
