The science behind the perfect pint will be among the topics at a special evening of discussion, song and dance this weekend as part of the on-going Cambridge Science Festival.
The science behind the perfect pint will be among the topics at a special evening of discussion, song and dance this weekend as part of the on-going Cambridge Science Festival.
Saturday’s ‘Science of Beer’ evening, at the University Sports and Social Club on Mill Lane, will feature a number of short talks followed by a performance from the Cambridge University Ceilidh Band.
The history of brewing from ancient Egyptian times to the modern day will be discussed by Nigel Davies. The expert from Muntons, the third largest malting company in the UK, will explain the sensory science behind beer preference including the perception of colour and flavour chemistry.
Ed Emery, who is helping to organise the event, will be examining the numbers behind beer and the contribution beer has made to mathematics. Ed will talk about alcohol by volume, taxation and age restrictions to help explain how the mathematics of beer has led to important scientific developments.
Steve Banfield, from Buntingford Brewery in Royston, will be talking about the processes involved in beer production and their new variety ‘A little bitter science’ which has been brewed especially for the Festival. The new beer will be available at the event and is already being sold throughout pubs in Cambridge including the Cambridge Blue, the Cambridge Chop House, the Kingston Arms and the Live and Let Live.
Festival Officer, Shelley Bolderson said: “We’re keen to offer a different flavour to our adult lecture series, and by brewing our own beer we are able to talk to people about the real science behind the taste and what we consume. We hope that this will show how science is relevant to everyone by illustrating how beer production has influenced so much of our modern day way of life.”
The Cambridge University Ceilidh Band are a society of musicians brought together by a love and dedication to folk music. They perform a wide variety of different folk styles but specialise in the Celtic tunes of the British Isles.
The evening takes place this Saturday and is open from 7.30-11pm. Entry is for 18’s and over and tickets are free, but must be booked in advance by emailing Ed Emery at ed.emery@thefreeuniversity.net
The Cambridge Science Festival advises responsible drinking.
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