Students Soak Up Beer Talk

Harvard students who love to learn had the opportunity last week to even make their Friday night beer consumption educational.

About forty students attended a beer tasting in the Cambridge Queen’s Head, although the turnout was far short of the 100 spaces that had been allotted to the event.

Three weeks after some seniors complained they were not made aware that steins for the Cambridge Queen’s Head’s Upper Hall were on sale, those in attendance said many friends who would have enjoyed the night missed out on it.

Jaime Schier, the quality control manager of Harpoon Brewery, spoke to the audience about the culture, history, and chemistry of beer, explaining such phenomenons as why why beer in glass bottles sometimes taste “skunky.”

“It’s because of exposure to sunlight. Green bottles, although they look the classiest, are the worst,” he said.

Students said that the speech was particularly informative.

“The beer was great, and he was an engaging speaker,” said Jonathan P. Lee ’08.

“I didn’t think it would be that interesting, but it really was,” said Megan P. Kerr ’08. She said she had heard about the event in an e-mail sent to House mailing lists.

“I can think of many people who weren’t here today would’ve really enjoyed it. I’m disappointed that they were out of the loop,” she said.

One attendee said the turnout underlined the need for better promotion for pub events.

“I think the pub is great. But it really needs better publicity,” said Melissa M. Trahan ’07.

Managers of the pub said that they are trying their best to raise awareness about the place.

“It’s always a challenge to figure out how to reach people. We’re always looking for more effective ways,” said the pub’s General Manager Scott C. Smider ’01.

Nathan A. Taylor ’08, student manager of publicity and promotions, said the pub is still finding its place.

“We’re still forming our identity within the Harvard campus. I think that’s why we’re not really on people’s radar yet.”

Smider said this was the first of many similar events and that in the coming months the Cambridge Queen’s Head plans to invite sommeliers, brewers, and other connoisseurs to hold other tasting events.

“Although the price of beer went up, events like these still make it worth it to show up here, see your buddies, and have a good time,” said J. Matthew Lucas ’08 of Currier House.