Beer Academy Sommelier, Jane Peyton, has trained the staff of the newly launched Bosphorus Brewing Company in Istanbul on the merits of matching beer and food. The Bosphorus Brewing Company is Istanbul’s first brew pub and opened in November 2012. It is owned and run by Britons Phil and Jill Hall both long time Istanbul residents.
Jane trained bar staff and the chef in how to match the pub’s menu with beer, how to appreciate and identify the styles and flavours of a variety of styles of beer. She said “Pilsner lagers are by far the most popular brands in Turkey and few people have had the chance to sample different beer styles. Phil and Jill brew a whole range of beers from easy drinking blond ale to a chocolaty stout. A fantastic canvas to show people that beer doesn’t all taste the same – and start them on a voyage of discovery to find out more. ”
Head brewer Phil said “Our customers are mainly ex Pats who work in Istanbul or locals who have developed a taste for beer when they have been travelling or living overseas. They not only want to be able to buy great beers, they expect our staff to be knowledgeable about what they serve. As a Beer Academy Sommelier, Jane was able to tell the team all they needed to know – and inspire them to become beer champions themselves. It’s worked because now we regularly overhear the staff enthusiastically talking to customers about the beer production and styles.’
Ends
For further information contact Paul.k.hegarty@googlemail.com or +44 (0 )7808 096250
Notes for Editors
The Bosphorous Brewing Company, Istanbul’s first brew-pub & kitchen opened for business in November 2012 and is a co-venture between British Istanbul resident Philip Hall and Turkish business man Sedat Sincirkaran. After living in Turkey for 5 years Phillip Hall missed real ale so much that he took a brewing course and decided to open his own brew pub. It is a family affair with Phillip’s wife Jill responsible for choosing a menu of food to match the range of six beers brewed on site and son Tristan assisting Phillip with the brewing. Istanbul has proved it was ready for real ale because pub has been constantly busy since opening day and now a second brew pub will open soon in a different area of Istanbul.
Jane Peyton is the principal of a corporate events company that runs beer, cider, wine, and spirits tasting events. Jane co-brewed four beers in 2012 – two at Brewster’s Brewery in Grantham which were available as guest ales in some London Fuller’s pubs, and two at The Botanist Brew Pub in Kew. Her recipe for Limey Porter was described as Thai curry in a glass and was such a hit that it has been re-brewed several times. Jane is fascinated by the cultural history of alcohol and is an entertaining host, advising people how to appreciate beer, wine, cider and spirits; helping them understand how they are made and the principles of tasting. She trained through the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, and is a tutor at the Beer Academy. She has been practicing the art of tasting since she was converted to cask beer after drinking a pint of Timothy Taylor’s Landlord Ale as a student in Leeds. Nirvana! Jane can be contacted at jane@school-of-booze.com
The Beer Academy is an educational body that was founded by a small group of beer enthusiasts in 2003 to help people understand, appreciate and enjoy beer sensibly. To date over 10,000 people have attended Beer Academy courses and tasting events such as the BBC Good Food Show, the Great British Beer Festival and the British Museum as well as in pubs and bars up and down the country. The Academy offers a range of courses and qualifications ranging from a 90 minute tutored introduction to beer through to the two day Advanced Course for serious beer connoisseurs. Full details of all Beer Academy Courses and events can be found www.beeracademy.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @TheBeerAcademy and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beer-Academy/411889238846208