Friday is a good day to think about drinking beer but have you ever thought about what goes on behind the bar? Consider the science and art involved in creating an amber chalice of optimum drinking requirements. Believe it or not, there are 9 steps to pouring the perfect Stella, a ritual that goes from purification to bestowal. Reassuringly complicated? We have to admit, the most we've ever seen is grab glass, fill from tap then slop over bar but we've clearly got a lot to learn.
Fortunately, Stella Artois are running a masterclass in pint pouring next week. This marks the beginning of the build up to the World Draught Masters event where bartenders from all over the world will converge on Old Billingsgate competing for the prestigious title of Stella Artois World Draught Master. The best attendee from next week's masterclass wins a spot competing against these pint perfectionists. Have you got what it takes?
Find out. You could go to the masterclass and learn how to create 'a thing of beauty' from expert draught master, Marc Stroobandt. All you have to do is tell us your most unusual or comical story involving a pint of lager. Perhaps you worked behind a bar and pulled a pint for someone famous, or maybe you met the love of your life over a spilt drink. Whatever the booze soaked tale, tell it to us on our Facebook page in words, photos or video. Our panel of experts beer drinkers will pick a winner and pack them off to the event which should feature lots of tasting as well as creating.
Now read this bit please: You must be over 18 to enter. A winner will be picked at 5pm Tuesday 21st September, notified via Facebook and announced on Londonist on Wednesday morning with their winning story. The Masterclass is at swanky secret West End location on Thursday 23 September from 6.30pm until late. We'll be there to capture the aspiring draught masters' efforts and report back on Friday.
