Beer and Wine Courses
Learn to evaluate and appreciate wine. Black glass is used so the taster doesn't know if it’s a white, rose’ or red wine. You get to learn the science of taste using a guide to evaluate the wine and then everyone guesses and the wine is revealed at the end of the class.
#35312, Commercial Ave, 10/3, Thursday, 6:30-8:30 PM Instructor: Rob Lewis
Have you ever wanted to set up your very own wine cellar in your home? Come join us to explore the do's and don'ts for where to store your valuable collection, options for the ideal serving temperature for white and red wine, and purchasing ideas for various wine styles to create your very own wine cellar. The class promises to be both fun and educational as you learn about what goes into making a home wine collection. We will also do taste comparisons of popular wine types to see how temperature affects taste. It may surprise you! Class discussions will be lively and entertaining.
#36867, Commercial Avenue Campus, 10/8, Tuesday, 6-8 PM Instructor: Bob Taylor
Wine and cheese are a match made in heaven, but have you ever wondered what wines go best with which cheeses and why? Treat your senses to a night of exploring how the flavors wine and cheese interact to create perfect (or sometimes not so perfect) pairings. You’ll learn cheese and wine tasting techniques and how to describe and evaluate cheese and wine flavor characteristics, all while enjoying delicious wines and a featured cheese selection from Wisconsin creameries.
#35308, Commercial Ave., 10/12, Saturday, 1-2:30 PM Instructor: Rob Lewis
Explore the wine regions of the Pacific Northwest where you will learn about the rich and historic traditions of some of the area’s finest wine regions, including the Willamette Valley, Columbia valley and more. You will taste red and white wine varietals and rare sparkling wines, compare notes, and engage in a lively discussion with your fellow classmates. Please join us for a wine exploration of this great wine region that promises to be a fun introduction to a famous and noteworthy wine region. Some wine tasting experience would be beneficial but is not necessary.
#35274, Commercial Avenue Campus, 10/15, Tuesday, 6-8 PM Instructor: Bob Taylor
This is a fun, educational and entertaining class to teach you the basics of food and wine pairing. In this class you’ll enjoy 4 different styles of wine with 6+ fundamental taste (sweet, salty, sour, etc.,) Some of the fun foods you’ll be enjoying are pickles, cheese, salami, potato chips, cookies and more. Each pairing is evaluated to reveal a foundational strategy to successfully pair food and wine. Join Winemaker and Sommelier Rob Lewis for this engaging and insightful class.
#36751, Commercial Ave., 10/17, Thursday, 6:30-8 PM Instructor: Rob Lewis
Take a Pinot Noir tasting trip to various locations around the world where you will learn about the rich differences of this most popular grape variety. You will taste Pinot Noir from various regions such as California, France and more. Compare notes with classmates and engage in a lively discussion about which "Pinot" is the best. Please join us for a wine exploration of the very popular cabernet wine that promises to be fun and educational.
#36797, Commercial Avenue Campus, 10/29, Tuesday, 6-8 PM Instructor: Bob Taylor
During this five week class with commercial winemaker Rob Lewis of Lewis Station Winery and Stable Rock Winery, this winemaking course covers the full winemaking process: from fermentation to bottling. Learn techniques to start or improve your own home winemaking while creating your own wine during class in small teams and hone your wine evaluation skills with topics on sensory evaluation, wine making knowledge and learning some of the secrets to food and wine pairing. Students will get to take some wine home to enjoy.
#35310, Commercial Ave., 11/7-12/12, Thursday, 6-8 PM Instructor: Rob Lewis
When you learn the science behind wine tasting and food pairing, every meal going forward will be improved. A fun way to learn the science is using your taste buds! This food and wine class is like no other class as it’s a packed 3 hours of learning all about wine including; history, terminology, aging, purchasing, storing, old world vs. new world, wine making and specific grape varietals You will also be doing an isolated component tasting (sweet, sour, salty, bitter). You will enjoy 5 wines with food (chicken, olives, mushrooms, lemons, tomatoes, cheese, hot sauce) That's 5 glasses of wine with food + an amazing education! Education has never tasted so good.
#35306, Commercial Ave., 11/9, Saturday, 1-4 PM Instructor: Rob Lewis
If you have ever been curious as to whether that expensive bottle of bubbly is truly worth it, now you can find out! In this class, members will sample French Champagne along with other sparkling white wines such as Italian Prosecco and Spanish Cava at different price points. There will definitely be some lively discussions among your fellow classmates. So join us for a wine exploration that just might change your mind about cost versus quality when it comes to your wine budget. Some wine tasting experience would be beneficial but not mandatory.
#35264, Commercial Avenue Campus, 11/19, Tuesday, 6-8 PM Instructor: Bob Taylor
#65398, Commercial Avenue Campus, 5/8, Thursday, 6-8 PM Instructor: Bob Taylor (Registration open 10/14)
Do you have a passion for beverages and want to start your own business? Whether it’s beer, wine, cider or another craft beverage, learn the ins and outs of starting and growing your business from successful local entrepreneur and president of Octopi Brewing, Isaac Showaki. This course will teach you what questions and answers you need to know before starting a beverage brewing business. We will go over what you want to accomplish, your goals and how achieve them with emphasis on how to write a quality beverage business plan. The plan will guide you through your venture so that you have the highest probability of success. The class will also cover: how to legally set up your company, what and where to apply for federal permits, how to approach investors or banks, financials projections, how cash is king and other critical topics.
#36074, Truax Health Building, 11/12-11/14, Tuesday and Thursday, 6-9 PM Instructor: Isaac Showaki
Have you ever wondered if that $40 bottle of wine is truly better than a $10 bottle? Come join us to do blind tastings of various wine varietals at different price points. You will try Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon at low and high prices. The class promises to be both fun and educational as you learn about what goes into making a bottle of wine. It may surprise you. Class discussions will be lively and entertaining.
#65472, Commercial Avenue Campus, 4/8, Tuesday, 6-8 PM Instructor: Bob Taylor (Registration open 10/14)
Explore the wine regions of Germany and learn about the rich and historic traditions of some of the area’s finest wine regions, including the Rhinegau, Mosel and more. You will taste the typically sweeter style white wine varietals that Germany is known for. Compare notes, and engage in a lively discussion with your fellow classmates. Please join us for a wine exploration of this great wine region that promises to be a fun introduction to a famous and noteworthy wine country. Along the way we will learn how to pronounce "Gewürztraminer " as an added bonus.
#65470, Commercial Avenue Campus, 3/4, Tuesday, 6-8 PM Instructor: Bob Taylor (Registration open 10/14)