I Earned My MBA and So Should You

27 Nov I Earned My MBA and So Should You

By Mathew Muncy

You do not have to be an expert to appreciate the finer things in life, but knowing a little more than the essentials definitely helps.When it comes to beer, it is easy to figure out which styles you enjoy drinking, yet you may not understand exactly why you enjoy them. That was me, at least until I completed Ron Smith’s Master of Beer Appreciation (MBA) program.

A year ago, my craft beer knowledge was novice level, at best. I could tell you the basic ingredients in beer, the fundamentals on how-to-brew beer, and that craft beer was better than the so-called “macro” beer. The more I researched and interviewed those in the beer industry, the more knowledge I gained, but I still lacked the ability to appreciate every beer for what it was trying to be.

I had never heard of Ron’s MBA Program, but once it was brought to my attention, I instantly knew it would benefit me immensely.

The program is broken down into three, four-hour long classes where you sample and learn the history of 17-plus beer styles, per class — yeah, there are plenty varieties of beer out there. The first step in appreciating beer is learning how to properly taste one, allowing you to pick up on the flavors and characteristics that make each style unique. Ron taught us how certified beer judges taste beer: take a sip, swish it around your mouth making sure to cover your entire tongue, allow it to warm up a bit, slowly swallow, and breath out through your nose. This simple process helps you pick those obscure flavor notes like golden raisins or oysters

With our newfound tasting process, Ron started testing us. Each class would begin with a demonstration, like having us describe certain off-flavors or judging a beer simply on taste alone. This demonstration would also be used as teaching points. Certain tastes and smells are not supposed to be present in a beer unless done purposefully, like diacetyl which gives a beer a butterscotch-like flavor.

Source: Ron Smith

Each class would also involve a lengthy discussion on a specific beer topic. Ron touched upon ingredients, brewing methods, homebrewing, and dove deeper into the off-flavors we might encounter out in the wild.

The overall premise of the class is learning to appreciate a beer for what the brewer was trying to create. Similar to other creative mediums, everyone has an opinion and on what would make the product better, but many miss the point on what the artist set out to create. If a brewer creates an American Barleywine and you tell them it should be less hoppy, then you end up looking foolish because you do not understand the difference between an American Barleywine and an English Barleywine.

For me, the best part of the MBA program was not just learning about the different beer styles, but learning about how our American styles differ from those made in Belgium, Germany, or England. Some local breweries — Four Day Ray comes to mind — are brewing more international styles — basically fewer hops — so being able to appreciate those for what they are is important to me as someone who writes about beer.

“But Matt, I cannot afford to add more student loans on top of what I already have.” No need to worry, because you can get your MBA for as little as $150; classes cost $55 per session or $150 for all three if you pay upfront. Currently, the Spring 2017 schedule is not available but should be up in the next month or two.

Overall, the MBA program is perfect for anyone wanting to grow their beer knowledge. You will not be able to pass the BJCP test after this class, but you will know enough to impress your friends. Just try not to act like a beer snob; Ron frowns heavily upon that.

*To keep up-to-date on the MBA program, as well as Ron’s international beer trips,  you can follow Ron on Facebook and visit the MBA website.