Geelong chosen to test beer as ‘lure into science’

We’ll drink to that: Farmers market chef Virginia Lee-Laurie and Central Geelong Marketing’s Mark Davis study up for this weekend’s beer science session.We’ll drink to that: Farmers market chef Virginia Lee-Laurie and Central Geelong Marketing’s Mark Davis study up for this weekend’s beer science session.

Andrew Mathieson
BY ANDREW MATHIESON
SCIENTISTS will tap into the science of beer in central Geelong this weekend to show there is more froth and bubble behind the perfect beer than just its thirst-quenching appeal.
The amber fluid may never taste the same to onlookers after Royal Institute of Australia conducts an “interactive exploration” of beer production at Central Geelong Farmers Market on Saturday.
Malt beer scientist Dr Evan Evans will join brewer Scott Wilson-Browne to cover the science behind the process from “grass to glass”.
The institute’s Anne Walker said the beer display would be a first for Victoria.
“What we want to do is actually get people curious about science – that’s the whole idea,” she said.
“We’re choosing something that has broad appeal and then looking at the science behind it so it’s about the chemistry and all the processes behind the technology.”
While other Victorian centres would endure sessions on astronomy, microscopy and science arts, Ms Walker predicted Geelong’s beer class would be “very popular”.
But she doubted one of civilisation’s most ancient biotechnologies would turn boozers into boffins
“There will be plenty of audience participation, and I’d imagine there will be fair bit of tasting.”