Expert beer knowledge,
minus the snobbery.
If you’re interested in hosting a fun, informative beer tasting or class, whether by itself or as part of your next event or festival, Advanced Cicerone® David Nilsen can design a program to fit exactly what you and your guests are looking for.
I’ve been enjoying craft beer for close to two decades, and while I am now an Advanced Cicerone and award-winning professional beer writer and educator, I remember how overwhelming the beer world seemed when I was just discovering this wonderful drink. There are so many styles, so many unknown terms, and so much risk of feeling silly if you say the “wrong” thing in front of the wrong beer geek.
Beer is supposed to be fun, whether you’re an expert who likes to talk about rare hop varietals and obscure yeast strains or a newbie who doesn’t know your pilsner from your pale ale. When I lead tastings and classes, I make sure no one feels intimidated or embarrassed because of their level of familiarity with beer, while making sure everyone leaves knowing more about beer than when they started.
My wife and I have traveled all over the place for great beer (including a couple of wonderful trips to Belgium), and I want you to love it as much as we do. Check out the services I offer, and consider incorporating a beer tasting into your next event.
David is a professional writer who does some literary criticism (he is a National Book Critics Circle member), but primarily writes about beer and food. He is an award-winning member of the North American Guild of Beer Writers, and his beer writing appears in numerous regional, national, and international publications. Looking for a beer writer for your publication, or to copywriting for your brewery or other establishment? Get in touch!
Tastings, classes, and pairing events can be tailored to be exactly what you’re looking for. David can lead one-time tastings of varied length, or work with you to plan a series of classes or events. Potential themes include beers from particular countries, styles groupings, beer ingredients, beer and food pairings, or any number of other possibilities. Let’s talk!
Beer is the most complex, varied adult beverage in the world. There are hundreds of hop varieties and types of malt and numerous yeast strains, and countless adjustments brewers can make during the brewing process. These influences come together to create a drink that is as diverse and layered as the cultural and national traditions from which our beer styles originated. Sip a sour, funky Oude Kriek and you’re in a centuries-old stone cellar in Belgium. Taste a crisp and toasty Märzen and you’re in a sun-dappled beer garden in Germany. Beer has endless possibilities.
David offers writing services and both plug-and-play and customizable in-person and virtual event services. Browse these possible offerings below, and click “More” in each category to see these options in greater detail.
• Guided tastings
• Beer education classes
• Service staff education
• Beer Dinners & Pairings
• Virtual Events
• In-home or establishment tastings
• Beer appreciation & history talks
• Beer judging
• Beer education classes
• Virtual Events
• Beer journalism
• Food & travel journalism
• Podcast appearances
Looking for something else? Contact David to inquire about other possibilities
In addition to his role as a beer writer & educator, David is passionate about bean to bar chocolate. The Bean to Barstool podcast uses craft beer & bean to bar chocolate as lenses for exploring the world of flavor. You can listen on all major podcast platforms, or on the Bean to Barstool website, where you can also learn about David’s writing & event services around beer & chocolate.
You can also check out the Bean to Barstool blog for interviews with brewers and chocolate makers, pairing tips, and more!
David has written a couple self-published zines—Pairing Beer & Chocolate and The Bean to Barstool Guide to Bocks. This full-color, 70-page zine provides everything you need to create amazing beer and chocolate pairings, including style-by-style pairing recommendations and guidance on hosting a pairing of your own. You can order it on the Bean to Barstool shop!
Alongside Melinda Guerra, David has founded and edits the quarterly Final Gravity beer zine. Learn more here.
A David Nilsen beer program was at the top of my “must have” list when planning my Halloween project, Poisoned Ivy. David did not disappoint. He didn’t just share interesting details and back stories for his thoughtfully selected beers, but he lent a facet of intrigue to the event. I would highly recommend his offerings.
David has done a wonderful job in leading monthly food and beer pairings at our restaurant. Our guests enjoy his knowledge, and his passion is contagious. Additionally, David has done some training with my service staff, giving them tools to elevate our guests’ experiences while dining with us. Cheers to you, David!
David Nilsen 