German beers, wines and food at A Class Act

A local tradition is merging with a European one hundreds of years old at an event slated for next Friday evening.

The 16th annual A Class Act, a Douglas College Foundation fundraiser, is embracing Oktoberfest and all things Bavarian this year with a range of German beers, wines and food, plus the sounds of traditional music at the David Lam campus in Coquitlam from 7 to 10 p.m.

Local beer and wine expert John Gerum is arranging the beverage selection and says craft beers typically follow the Bavarian Purity Law of 1516 that limited ingredients to barley, water and hops.

"This became the template for emerging beer regions around the world," Gerum says, adding that, later, yeast and malt were added. Brewers of beer stuck mainly with the basic ingredients until the mid-20th century, when "the big North American breweries starting making beers out of corn, rice and chemicals, called adjuncts."

This commercialized, standardized beer led to a call by some for the return to the old craft beers, leading to the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) movement in the U.K. that later spread to other countries, including Canada. CAMRA has branches across B.C. including Vancouver and the Fraser Valley (including the Tri-Cities).

The event will feature several craft beers, including Samuel Adams' annual Oktoberfest offering, which is a marzen. There will also be several brands not available from government liquor stores, said Gerum.

A Class Act is hosted by Douglas College Foundation with assistance from students in the hospitality management program and, in addition to the samplings of beer, wine and German food, includes live and silent auctions and live music. Attendees will also get a keepsake glass.

Tickets are $45 each and can be reserved by emailing [email protected] or by calling 604-777-6176.