Have you ever found yourself at a bar, overwhelmed by choices, and ask the bartender for a recommendation? Whether you're in the mood to try something new or just don't want to make another decision, it can be refreshing to leave it in the expert’s hands. This idea is similar to the experience at an omakase sushi restaurant, where diners place their trust in the chef to create a memorable meal, without knowing exactly what will be served. It's an experience built on trust, skill, and the joy of discovery. Inspired by this concept, a new beer experience is launching in Chicago, one that centers around tasting unique beers and other fermented beverages. The events will be led by Advanced Cicerones Shana Solarte and Jenny Pfӓfflin, inviting guests to relax, let go of the decision-making, and trust the hosts to curate a memorable experience.
Bier Omakase isn’t your typical beer-tasting event, it’s an immersive storytelling experience designed to engage attendees with curated narratives that bring each drink to life. The hosts will serve 4-6 thoughtfully selected beverages, accompanied by food and snack pairings, all within the intimate setting of unique private event spaces. As guests sip their way through the courses, they’ll be guided through a themed journey, with each drink carefully chosen to fit a larger narrative. Along the way, Shana and Jenny will share insights into the beer’s style, the producer’s story, the production method, and other personal anecdotes, historical context, and intriguing details that deepen the experience.
Each event’s theme will also extend to
’s Substack page, where Shana and Jenny will continue the storytelling. For those unable to attend, the page will feature stories from the events, as well as off-theme musings, deep dives into ideas they can’t let go of, and other explorations around the world of food, beverage, and fermentation.In their own words, Shana and Jenny shared the following, “We believe in the Bier Omakase concept because we believe that food and beverage are the greatest cultural connectors. Bringing people together to share stories is one of the longest-running traditions in human history, and we see Bier Omakase as a way to do exactly that. Practically every culture on the planet has a connection to fermentation and their own traditions therein–Bier Omakase is an outlet for us to explore these cultures while building our own community and sharing what we have learned, as well as having the potential to offer a new perspective on familiar favorites.”
Anyone interested should sign up for the Substack to get exclusive early access to tickets for upcoming events, starting with the first one on January 9th in Chicago.
What a great idea. Great name. Me and a friend have done this with 10-12 people walking through 12 beer samples annually for 7 years. I also do this for our sales team at work each January. Love seeing how other do it. Can’t wait to hear more about it.
Appreciate the kind words, Doug!