Join us for this deep dive into the world of saisons and sours, monks and microbes! 

This educational Masterclass will explore the history and variety of Belgian Beer and brewing, along with a beer tasting with some light snacks. Belgian beer is some of the most beloved, celebrated and, as we'll learn, dangerous beer on Earth. These products have made a huge impact on markets all over the world, including North America and our love for them is only growing. 

We will learn the fundamentals of brewing in general and then how the inhabitants of what we today call Belgium adapted and perfected these techniques over time. While the rest of Europe was out jousting or inventing new plagues in the Middle Ages, monks were quietly improving sanitation, perfecting fermentation and recording detailed brewing notes. We will explore these Trappist traditions and taste a variety of styles. 

These will include: Saisons, Flemish Reds, Trappist Ales and Tripels. 

The tasting will be accompanied by some thoughtfully paired meats, cheeses, small bites and sweets.

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Joke Van Loon is a Belgian beer enthusiast with a degree in clinical psychology who had a practice in Antwerp for a decade. Her passion for all things brewing led her to becoming a certified Zythologist (aka beer sommelier) at the PIVA culinary school in Antwerp.

She moved to Toronto in 2025 and devoted herself fully to her studies in beer, creating Tasting Talks - a project that melds her fascination with the topic with her love for connecting people. Making beer culture fun, approachable and engaging, Joke aims to inspire creative tasting and exploring outside of one's comfort zone. @tasting_talks

'The world of beer is so much bigger than most people imagine, and I love creating welcoming spaces where they can learn, explore, discover new flavours, and connect with others over great beer.'