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Presumably as an attempt to compensate for all the academic endeavors beer has ruined, Food & Wine's “Sommelier of the Year” (and Churchkey beer director) Greg Engert has just announced Rustico's Beer Academy. A curriculum of monthly, two-hour lessons that'll each include a lecture from Greg and tastes of (at least!) six beers, the Academy's individual classes'll focus on suds-jects like:

Farmhouse Ales of the World: Experience the Saison style, debunk some myths on French farmhouse "Bière de Garde" (you know, those myths), and explore the lesser-known farmhouse traditions of Scandinavia and Franconia.

Barrels & Beyond: Learn about oak-aging techniques, the spice-giving properties of wood, and all the newest "innovations in craft beer", with the absolute newest being "you drinking at least six samples of it".

Sour Ales: The Old & The New or From The Wind & The Wood: No idea what any of that means? Perfect -- you should go to this class about sour ales, where they'll probably explain it while talking about how brewers manipulate recipes to deliver "lip-smacking piquancy".

Rustico will also offer their full brunch menu (from buttermilk biscuit sliders to crispy deviled eggs) a la carte before class, so even if beer's left you with an empty mind, you won't have to endure an empty stomach.

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You have to call in to get in on the classes, but hit their website for all the info at RusticoRestaurant.com