World Beer Expert to Share Knowledge at Festival

MEDIA RELEASE – Friday 11 October 2013

World Beer Expert to Share Knowledge at Scienceteller Festival

She’s sat on the jury for numerous global brewing awards, including the prestigious World Beer Cup, was the first Canadian female to qualify as a Certified Cicerone® (beer sommelier) and first non-US resident to earn the title of Master Cicerone®. International beer expert Mirella Amato will attend this year’s popular ScienceTeller Festival in Dunedin, New Zealand.

Amato, a National Level BJCP judge and only one of seven Master Cicerones® in the world, will inform audiences on the science of beer, alongside a beer tasting session on Sunday 27 October at 5.30pm, at the Lone Star in Dunedin.

Amato says she has dedicated herself to promoting local beer and the art of beer appreciation since 2007 and is looking forward to attending the festival.

“My favourite thing about beer, apart from the fact that it is delicious - of course, is that it is a multifaceted beverage. There are so many different ways to appreciate it; it's fascinating how much science is involved in crafting the perfect pint. This is a wonderful opportunity to visit Dunedin and be part of the ScienceTeller Festival.”

Festival Director Phil Bishop says this is the first time a Master Cicerone® has visited New Zealand.

“Delegates at the festival are in for a fun and informative session with Mirella Amato, she will only be giving one talk, so anyone interested in attending the festival needs to register now.”

Mirella Amato was the recipient of the 2012 OCB Center of Excellence Industry Choice Award in Food and Beer Matching Development. She was a board member for the Canadian Amateur Brewers’ Association from 2007 to 2010 and is a founding member of Toronto-based cask-conditioned ale advocacy group, Cask!

Amato’s event will take place just before the popular ScienceTeller Literature and Lager evening – also at the Lone Star from 7.30pm.

Literature and Lager is open to the public and promises to be a fun and entertaining evening with fellow Americans – historian of science Naomi Oreskes, and sceptic Guy P. Harrison – speaking along with the graduating writing students of the Centre for Science Communication who will give readings of their works.

ScienceTeller is a biennial international festival celebrating storytelling and science communication in Dunedin, held between 25-27 October. Featuring a programme of internationally renowned and high profile guests, the second festival, hosted by the Centre for Science Communication at the University of Otago, is supported by a number of sponsors – including founding sponsor, the University of Otago, in partnership with NHNZ and Otago Museum, and a number of other sponsors, funding partners and volunteers. Most workshops are exclusively open to delegates only. Registration is available via www.scienceteller.com

Mirella Amato’s presentation on the Science of Beer will be held on Sunday 27 October, 5.30pm. For public attendance, pending space availability, tickets will be on sale at the Hutton Theatre, Otago Museum, 11am on Saturday the 26th of October for $35.00 - cash only. Tickets will not be available on the night.

Literature and Lager will take place on Sunday 27 October, 7.30pm. This event is open to the public.

Both events will be held at the Lone Star, 484 George Street, Dunedin.

ENDS

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