Past Events
We would like to use this page to report on the amazing range of alumni events and initiatives taking place around the world. If you have recently held an successful event or implemented a new idea that you think other Groups might benefit from hearing about we would be delighted to post a report and pictures. Please send details to networks@alumni.cam.ac.uk.
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Annual Beer Tasting Contest - Cambridge Society of Western Australia
Hosted by Society President and First Lady Nick and Kate Suess, on 12th March 2011 a gathering of 21 enjoyed a beautiful balmy evening of Belgian beer out on the back deck of their home in the English-sounding suburb of Bayswater.
The nature of the event is straightforward – each competitor is provided with comprehensive tasting notes for a varied selection of ten beers, which are then served in random order from plain jugs. The task is simply to identify each.
This year’s Belgian theme not only meant that some of the world’s most exquisite beers were on offer, but also that the traditional Belgian feast of ‘moules frites’ was obligatory. Fully 14 kilos apiece of fresh mussels and spuds were converted by Kate and Nick into moules marinières and chips, all of which was totally monstered down by the hungry Cantabrigians.
Special thanks are due to the two ‘beer wenches’, Leah and Justine, the wives of alumni Eddie Marcus (Fitz) and Darren Peacock (Jesus). Not being beer lovers, they volunteered to pour the delicious nectar as well as scrutinise the results, and put in a most praiseworthy humanitarian effort.
Eddie had triumphed at last year’s inaugural event when the theme had been English Ale, accompanied by traditional pub food of pork pies, pasties and pickled eggs. His winning score then had been 6/10, and this year our hostess Kate matched that to emerge victorious. Runner-up with 5/10 was Fiona Giles (Robinson) a recent Architecture graduate who had been in Perth on a working holiday and with immaculate timing just managed to fit in both the 2010 and 2011 beer tastings. A tie-break system enabled Fiona to nudge ahead of a couple of others on 5/10, while our host Nick (Caius) finished back amongst the pack on 4/10.
Here in our picture Nick announces the results of the novelty contest – the tricky task of naming ten famous Belgians. The winner, scoring 9/10, was Professor Jim Everett (Clare), who was totally delighted with the prize of a flight to Sydney!
Such was the success of this event that next year’s is already being planned. The theme will be American beer, accompanied by hot dogs, of course. Work is well in progress on some expansion of the available space, so it should be possible to accommodate around 30 drinkers, making it well worth being in Perth in mid March 2012.
Added: 14 April 2011
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