This free online session will help you to navigate through some of the complexities of beer styles brewed in Britain.

CAMRA is only too aware that beer styles in the UK aren't static. Many beer styles have only come into being in the last few decades. You only have to look at the growth of American Pale Ales, Golden Ales and foreign beer styles such as Sours and Tripels to be aware of what a great time it is to be a beer drinker.

CAMRA continues to monitor the changes in beer styles to both continue to campaign for endangered traditional beer styles, such as milds, and to try, as much as possible, to fit any beer into an appropriate category for judging the prestigious Champion Beer of Britain.

This online session is open to everyone to help you to understand the styles that CAMRA uses. You can then decide which style category a beer should be put in. It will also help members when it comes to the online voting for beers in CAMRA's Champion Beer of Britain this autumn.

By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Explain why we have beer styles
• Distinguish between different beers and allocate them to CAMRA's beer style categories

We will cover:

• Why we have beer styles
• The 12 beer style categories and the reason for them
• Taste 5 beers and allocate them to the new styles

This session is free but to get the most out of it, you are advised to purchase 5 beers.

Session will start at 6.30pm and lasts about 2.5 hours

Participants are asked to purchase the following beers that are generally available from supermarkets. In certain cases (beers 1 & 5), you can choose from a selection; in others (beers 2,3,4), you are asked to have a specific beer, which has been chosen to prompt discussion.

• Beer 1: LAGER - suggestions: Camden Helles, Staropramen, Budweiser Budvar, Pilsner Urquel
• Beer 2: Shepherd Neame Spitfire
• Beer 3: St Austell Proper Job (bottled version)
• Beer 4: Wychwood Hobgoblin Ruby (NOT the Gold or IPA)
• Beer 5: PORTERS OR STOUTS – suggestions: Fuller’s London Porter or Black Cab; Guinness West Indies Porter, Guinness Nigerian Stout, Dragon Stout, Black Sheep Milk Stout or a stout or porter from your local brewery When purchasing your stout or porter, make sure it is not flavoured e.g. a coffee stout – read the ingredients list if in doubt!

If you would like to attend this training but cannot make this date, or it is sold out, please contact christine.cryne@gmail.com. Another session will be arranged if the response is high enough.