David is an experienced and engaging speaker and educator who can deliver fun and informative talks, tastings, pairings, and presentations for your next event.
While David offers bespoke event services and can work with you to plan a customized event or talk, he has quite a few established topics to choose from as well. Read through the examples below and get in touch with questions, or to hire David for your next event!
The Basics of Beer or How to Taste Beer (and why you should)
– Event type: educational tasting for general audience
– Great for: virtual events, corporate or private events, community events, libraries
One of the great things about craft beer is also one of the things that can make it confusing for newcomers: its variety. Beer should be fun, but it can also be overwhelming to figure out which styles are which and what you actually like. In this talk and guided tasting, David demystifies the complex world of beer styles and explains the basics of beer ingredients and how they’re used. He also walks the group through how to taste beer with all the attention we usually give to wine (pinky in the air optional) in a fun, non-intimidating way.
Pairing Beer & Chocolate
– Event type: educational pairing for general audience
– Great for: virtual events, corporate or private events, community events, libraries, breweries, chocolate makers, craft chocolate conferences
David is one of the world’s leading experts on pairing beer and chocolate. In fact, he’s the author of the only book on the subject: Pairing Beer and Chocolate: A Guide To Bringing the Flavors of Craft Beer and Craft Chocolate Together. He is passionate and knowledgeable about the pairing possibilities between these artisan products, and he can lead a fun and educational pairing for a range of audiences to help others discover this under-appreciated realm of pairing.
Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark [Beers]
– Event type: educational tasting for general audience
– Great for: virtual events, corporate or private events, community events, libraries
Many casual beer drinkers assume all dark beers are heavy or strong, and only for cold weather. In reality, the color of a beer tells us nothing about its strength or heaviness—dark beer styles come in a range of strengths and expressions, and can be excellent any time of year. In this talk and guided tasting, David talks about the history and variety of dark beer styles and their unique ingredients, and walks the group through a tasting of several excellent examples.
The Brewing Process
– Event type: educational tasting for general audience
– Great for: virtual events, corporate or private events, community events, libraries
Even if you have no desire to become a homebrewer or pro, understanding how beer is made can allow you enjoy your favorite beers even more. Understanding why different beers taste the way they do and how those flavors were created can make craft beer more fun! In this talk and guided tasting, David breaks down the often complicated brewing process and ingredients into simple to understand basics. Along the way, he guides the group through a tasting of several excellent craft beers.
The New World of Non-Alcoholic Craft Beer
– Event type: educational tasting for general audience
– Great for: virtual events, corporate or private events, community events, libraries, bottle shops, sober bars
Choosing not to drink alcohol—for good, for now, or just for the night—doesn’t have to mean choosing against good beer anymore. Innovative non-alcoholic brewers are pushing the boundaries of flavor with Hazy IPAs, sour ales, stouts, and more. In this talk and guided tasting, David walks attendees through a tasting of different non-alcoholic beers from some of the most exciting names in the NA beer space, discussing the ingredients and processes that are driving the new wave of NA beer flavor.
Why Is There Coffee In My Beer?
– Event type: educational tasting for general audience
– Great for: virtual events, corporate or private events, community events, libraries
Brewers are constantly finding new ways to infuse the complex and comforting flavors of coffee into different beer styles. Coffee and beer are both agricultural products, and they can be brought together in delicious and surprising ways. In this talk and guided tasting, David talks about how coffee is used in brewing and the range of coffee beer styles and leads the group through a tasting of several excellent examples.
It’s Always Belgian Beer Season
– Event type: educational tasting for general audience
– Great for: virtual events, private events, libraries
The Belgian brewing tradition offers rich history and unique, expressive beers, but these styles are a mystery to many American beer lovers. In this talk and guided tasting, David discusses what makes Belgian beers different from many better known U.S. craft beer styles and the history that led to the modern variety within Belgian beer, and guides the group through a tasting of several excellent examples.
Making Sense of IPAs
– Event type: educational tasting for general audience
– Great for: virtual events, private events, libraries
IPAs are the most popular family of beer styles in craft beer, and they’re so ubiquitous, they’re sometimes the butt of cultural jokes. At their best, however, IPAs can be stunning agricultural and artisan achievements. In this talk and guided tasting, David explains what makes IPAs unique, dispels common misconceptions about their flavors and origins, and walks attendees through the differences between common types of IPA, helping them find the styles they like best.
Festbiers, Marzens, and Oktoberfest Lagers
– Event type: educational tasting for general audience (can be an educational talk without tasting)
– Great for: virtual events, private events, libraries, educational presentations
Oktoberfest lagers, parties, and menus are popular through the fall months, but how did this celebration of German beer and culture get started, and what’s what when it comes to Oktoberfest lager styles? In this talk and guided tasting, David walks through the history of Oktoberfest, talks about the different types of beer associated with it, and guides attendees through a tasting of several excellent examples.
Monastic Roots, Modern Styles: Belgian Abbey Ales
– Event type: educational tasting for general audience (can be an educational talk without tasting)
– Great for: virtual events, private events, libraries, educational presentations, church groups
The Belgian beer styles of Single, Dubbel, Tripel, and Quadrupel are rooted in the country’s monastic brewing traditions, and many examples are still brewed at abbeys and monasteries in this small but storied land. Despite the mysterious images conjured by the word “monastic” however, these styles aren’t as ancient as many assume. In this talk and guided tasting, David talks about Belgium’s monastic brewing traditions and modern legacy, explains the history behind these styles and the ingredients and processes that make them unique, and guides attendees through a tasting of excellent modern examples.
Doppelbock: A Strong Lager with a Saintly Past
– Event type: educational tasting for general audience (can be an educational talk without tasting)
– Great for: virtual events, private events, libraries, educational presentations, church groups
Doppelbock is a strong, malty German beer style that throws a wrench in the popular misconception that all lagers are light, mild, and low in alcohol. But there’s more to this beer than just complex flavor—it’s history traces back to a single monastery near Munich, and its story is rich with intrigue and misdirection. In this talk and guided tasting, David talks about the monastic roots of modern Doppelbock, explains the ingredients and processes that create its flavor profile, and guides attendees through a tasting of excellent modern examples, including the modern brand that traces all the way back to the original.
Trappist Tales and Ales: The Brewing Monasteries
– Event type: educational tasting for general audience (can be an educational talk without tasting)
– Great for: virtual events, private events, libraries, educational presentations, church groups
Most of the world’s abbey ales have never seen the inside of an abbey. A small number of monasteries do still brew beer to support themselves, however, and many of these are from the Trappist order, a cloistered order of the Catholic church who follow the Rule of Saint Benedict. Their beers are among the most highly esteemed in the world, and the stories behind them are rich and fascinating. In this talk and guided tasting, David talks about what sets Trappist breweries apart, shares the stories behind several, and guides attendees through a tasting of excellent beers brewed within their walls.
Beer Chocolate Tasting
– Event type: Educational guided tasting for general audience
– Great for: virtual events, corporate or private events, community events, libraries, craft chocolate conferences & festivals
Just as craft brewers use cacao and chocolate to many delicious dessert beers, craft chocolate makers use beer and its ingredients to make delicious and innovative beer-infused chocolate bars.
During this guided tasting, David walks attendees through a tasting of 5 craft chocolate bars that were made with beer or beer ingredients like malt and hops. Along the way, he’ll explain the specific beers and ingredients used, how they were utilized to create each bar’s unique flavors, and profile the chocolate makers and the craft breweries they worked with.
Attendees to this event learn the basics of craft chocolate (how it’s made, where its ingredients come from, etc), how to taste chocolate, and the basics of beer ingredients. The event is both fun and educational, helping attendees learn about their favorite treats in a non-intimidating format.
Spirits Chocolate Tasting
– Event type: Educational guided tasting for general audience
– Great for: virtual events, corporate or private events, community events, libraries, craft chocolate conferences & festivals
Craft chocolate makers love artisan spirits like bourbon, rum, and gin to create fascinating and delicious chocolate bars that highlight the unique character of these spirits.
During this guided tasting, David walks attendees through a tasting of 5 craft chocolate bars that were made with various artisan spirits. Along the way, he’ll explain the specific spirits used, how they were utilized to create each bar’s unique flavors, and profile the chocolate makers and the distilleries they worked with.
Attendees to this event learn the basics of craft chocolate (how it’s made, where its ingredients come from, etc), how to taste chocolate, and the basics of chocolate and spirits collaboration. The event is both fun and educational, helping attendees learn about their favorite treats in a non-intimidating format.
From Bean to Barstool and Back: Collaboration and Commonality Between Chocolate, Beer, and Spirits
– Event type: industry-focused talk for conference audiences, though can be tailored for general audience
– Great for: beer or spirits conferences, craft chocolate conferences & festivals
Craft chocolate has much in common with artisan beverage segments like craft beer and small batch spirits, and we’re seeing more and more collaborations between the two. Chocolate makers, brewers, distillers, and other beverage alcohol producers are all looking for ways to court new customers and explore new flavors, and collaboration provides a way to use unique ingredients while reaching a new group of fans.
In this conference presentation, David explores what craft chocolate makers have in common with craft brewers and other beverage makers, and how these artisans are working together in exciting (and delicious) ways, providing examples of common products, processes, and ingredients.
This talk can be tailored to a beer or other drinks industry audience, chocolate industry audience, or—for public beer or chocolate conferences or festivals—for general audiences within a given industry.
Women and the Past, Present, and Future of Beer
– Event type: educational talk for general audience, with optional tasting component
– Great for: virtual events, private events, community events, libraries, educational presentations
Join us for a fun and educational beer tasting as beer writer David Nilsen talks about the past, present, and future of women in the brewing world.
Since ancient times, women have had a major role in brewing beer. While statistically the majority of today’s craft brewers are male, at many points in history women were the primary brewers, and the craft brewing industry is once again becoming more diverse, with more and more women joining the ranks of professional brewers.
In this educational talk (with an optional tasting incorporated), David talks about the history of women in brewing, the progress being made toward greater gender equality in craft beer, and strides still to be made. While this talk is relevant all year round, some organizations might find it especially timely for Women’s History Month in March.
Working with Writers: Sharing Stories, Not Just News
– Event type: industry-focused talk for conference audience
– Great for: beer or spirits conferences, craft chocolate conferences
Every brewery, distillery, craft chocolate company, or other artisan food or beverage company has a story to tell; actually, it probably has quite a few of them. Those stories are what hook potential fans and help them as well as established followers buy into what makes each producer unique, but how do you get those stories in front of the people who will connect to them?
Maintaining a list of news outlets and reporters to send your press releases about new products, upcoming events, and other timely news pieces is an important part of your media strategy, but it shouldn’t be the only part. Many writers who cover craft beer and the artisan food and beverage world don’t necessarily cover these news pieces, but might want to dive into the deeper stories of what your company is all about. But how do you identify what those stories are, and how do you build relationships with these writers?
In this talk, David talks about what catches his attention when seeking out stories, how producers can identify the stories that already exist within their company, and how they can communicate these stories to writers efficiently and effectively.
This talk can be tailored to the specific industry audience you are hosting.
Staff Beer Education for Customer Service
– Event type: industry-focused talk for conference audience
– Great for: beer conferences
Your service staff is tasked with presenting your beers to customers in your taproom or brewpub, which makes each of them ad hoc members of your sales staff. They might be great bartenders or servers, but if they came to you from a restaurant or other hospitality background, they might not know much about beer, and we all know how quickly beer misinformation can spread.
Brewery owners are sometimes reluctant to invest time and money in a staff education program, fearing they’ll have to watch that investment walk out the door if an employee leaves a few months later. However, far more damaging than a trained employee who leaves is an untrained one who sticks around. You give your sales staff the information they need to get your beer into new accounts, and your service staff needs it to.
In this talk, David talks about the benefits of establishing a service-focused beer education program at your brewery and what does and doesn’t need to be included in the program.
It’s Okay To Not Be Okay: Mental Health in Craft Beer
– Event type: industry-focused talk for conference audience
– Great for: beer conferences
Craft beer is all about friendship and fun, and that can ironically make it harder for folks who are dealing with anxiety, depression, or suicidality to open up about what they’re dealing with. Because craft beer is in the business of selling a good time, the industry can be resistant to acknowledging that some of its members are struggling. Some of beer’s favorite spaces and events, such as taprooms and festivals, can be uniquely aggravating to individuals dealing with anxiety in particular.
In this talk, David talks about how the industry can better support its workers who are struggling and provide mentally safer spaces for customers and employees alike.
The Wild Side: Sour and Funky Ales
– Event type: educational tasting for general audience
– Great for: virtual events, corporate or private events, community events, libraries
While the vast majority of beers are fermented with one of two yeast species, some traditional and experimental beer styles employ other microorganisms that can create surprising flavors. These are some of the most complex and respected beers around, but they can take some getting used to. In this talk and guided tasting, David explains why these beers taste the way they do, walks through some of the traditional beer styles in this category, and leads the group through a tasting of several excellent examples.
From Cacao to Wow: The Chocolate-Making Process
– Event type: educational tasting for general audience
– Great for: virtual events, corporate or private events, community events, libraries
Chocolate isn’t just a childhood treat—at its best, it’s an artisan product that involves agriculture, fermentation, and craftsmanship. Craft chocolate can lead us on a global flavor exploration. In this talk and guided tasting, David talks about the cacao tree and its fruit that gives us chocolate, how cacao beans are fermented and turned into chocolate, and why it’s important to care where our chocolate ingredients come from. Along the way he’ll lead a tasting of several excellent examples.
Empathy Through Tasting: Personal Flavor Vocabularies
– Event type: Educational guided tasting for general audience (can be an educational talk without tasting)
– Great for: virtual events, corporate or private events, community events, libraries, craft chocolate conferences & festivals
Beer flavors can be beautifully complex, and when we taste and describe them, we tend to think the flavors and aromas we recognize are universal. In reality, every aroma or flavor we identify is something we learned at some point, and that personal vocabulary is based upon where we grew up, our cultural background, and a host of other influences. In this talk and guided tasting, David talks about how flavor can be a tool of empathy, how we can learn more about ourselves and each other by tasting together, and how we can grow our own flavor vocabularies in fun and unexpected ways.
The Ingredients of Beer
– Event type: educational tasting series for general audience
– Great for: libraries
Beer is an agricultural product, and it’s made from multiple ingredients, which can make it a complicated drink to understand. In this educational tasting series, David spends one class on each major beer ingredient, talking about the varieties and origins of each, how they’re used in the brewing process, and how the influence the sensory attributes of beer styles. Class sessions involve visual and hands-on examples of ingredients, and a guided tasting through beers that illustrate various ingredient influences.
Tasting Beer Through the Seasons
– Event type: educational tasting series for general audience
– Great for: libraries
Many beer styles traditionally show up at one specific time of year or another. In times past, there may have been technical or agricultural reasons for this, but at this point, the seasonal beer calendar is largely a celebration of tradition—with just a few exceptions. In this educational tasting series, David walks the group through the seasons, discussing beer styles that are connected to each, and providing historical or technical background on why these styles are associated with their given season. Each class session takes during its respective season, and David leads the class through a tasting of several excellent examples.
The World of Beer Styles
– Event type: educational tasting series for general audience
– Great for: libraries
Beer is the most varied drink segment in the world, and while that variety can be exciting and fun, it can also be very confusing. How do you make sense of over a hundred styles of beer, and variations within each? In this educational tasting series, David walks the group through various beer style families, explaining what makes unique, why they taste the way they do, how they’re brewed, and their historical backgrounds. In each class, he leads the group through a tasting of several excellent examples that illustrate each style. This topic can accommodate any series length desired.
David Nilsen 