Unit 109 - Bar service

• Hospitality
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)

Exploring the World of Alcoholic Beverages

Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson you will have an understanding of: 

• different alcoholic beverages
• how they are made 
• examples of different types
• ABV and serving styles

Introduce the learning objective to the students and highlight what they will achieve by the end of the lesson.

Give examples of different types of alcoholic beverages

Examples of Alcoholic Drinks

Some examples of alcoholic drinks include:

Wine, beer, cider, 

Spirits - whisky, vodka, rum and gin

Liqueurs - Baileys, amaretto, peach schnapps

Each type has its unique characteristics, flavour profiles, and cultural significance.

Present a list of various alcoholic drinks, encouraging students to share their experiences or knowledge about any of them.

Introduction to Alcoholic Beverages

Alcoholic beverages are drinks that contain ethanol, which is produced through the fermentation of sugars. 

They have been consumed for centuries for social, cultural, and celebratory purposes.

Provide a brief overview of alcoholic beverages, emphasizing their historical and cultural significance.

The Production Process: Beer

Beer is made from malted barley, water, hops, and yeast. The process involves mashing, boiling, fermentation, and carbonation. Different ingredients, brewing techniques, and yeast strains result in a wide variety of beer styles.

Examples are - Stella Artois, Carlsberg, Guiness

Explain the production process of beer, highlighting the key ingredients and steps involved.

The Production Process: Wine

Wine is made from fermented grapes or other fruits. The process includes harvesting, crushing, fermentation, clarification, aging, and bottling. The type of grapes, climate, soil, and winemaking techniques contribute to the unique characteristics of each wine.

Describe the production process of wine, focusing on the importance of grape selection and the influence of terroir.

Grape Varieties in Wine

Wine can be made from different grape varieties, each contributing to the flavour, aroma, and structure of the final product. 

Examples include:

White wine - Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Riesling

Red wine - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz

Discuss the importance of grape varieties in winemaking, mentioning a few popular ones and their typical characteristics.

The Production Process: Spirits

Spirits, are produced by distilling fermented grains, fruits, or other materials. 

Distillation involves heating the fermented liquid and collecting the condensed alcohol vapour. 

Examples - Vodka, whisky, gin and rum

Introduce the production process of spirits, emphasizing the distillation and aging steps.

The Production Process: Liqueurs

Spirits, are produced by distilling fermented grains, fruits, or other materials. 

Liqueurs are spirits that have added sugar and flavour

Examples - Baileys, peach schnapps and amaretto

Introduce the production process of spirits, emphasizing the distillation and aging steps.

Understanding Alcohol by Volume (ABV)

Alcohol by volume (ABV) indicates the percentage of alcohol in a beverage. 

ABV helps determine the strength and is shown as a %

Beer - 4% to 6%

Wine - 12% to 15%

Liqueurs - 20%

Spirits - 37.5% to 40%

Explain the concept of Alcohol by Volume (ABV), its calculation, and its significance in understanding the potency of alcoholic beverages.

Measuring and Serving Drinks

Alcoholic drinks are often poured in specific measures using standardised bar tools. 

They are served in various types of glasses designed to enhance the drinking experience and showcase the characteristics of the drink.

• Dispense of alcohol - optics and measures
• Glasses handout
• Examples of glasses 

Introduce the concept of measuring and serving drinks, highlighting the importance of accuracy and appropriate glassware.

Examples of Drinks Poured in Measures

Some examples of drinks poured in measures include cocktails like the Martini and Cosmopolitan. 

These drinks have specific recipes and require precise measurements of ingredients to achieve the desired balance and flavour.

Present a few examples of popular cocktails or mixed drinks that require precise measurements.

Different Types of Glasses

There are various types of glasses for different types of alcoholic drinks. 

Examples include wine glasses, pilsner and pint glasses, champagne flutes, highball glasses, and whisky tumblers. 

Each glass is designed to enhance the aroma, taste, and presentation of the drink.

Explain the importance of using appropriate glassware for different types of alcoholic beverages, emphasizing the impact on sensory experience.

Serving Techniques

When serving alcoholic drinks, it is important to follow specific techniques to ensure a pleasant experience. 

Techniques may include swirling wine to aerate and release aromas, pouring beer to create a proper head, or using specific garnishes for cocktails.

Discuss various serving techniques for different types of alcoholic drinks, providing practical tips and demonstrations if possible.

Recap: Key Concepts

Let's recap the key concepts covered in this lesson: Introduction to alcoholic beverages, 

production processes of beer, wine, spirits and liqueurs, examples of alcoholic drinks, alcohol by volume (ABV) and its significance, measuring and serving drinks, and the importance of appropriate glassware and serving techniques.

Summarize the main concepts covered in the lesson to reinforce understanding.

Quiz Time!

Test your knowledge with a quick quiz on the topics covered in this lesson. 

Good luck!

Engage students with a quiz to assess their understanding of the lesson content. Provide feedback and explanations after each question.

How is beer made?

1. Boiling
2. Distillation
3. Fermentation
4. Mixing

Which alcoholic beverage has an ABV of between 12% and 15%

1. Spirit
2. Wine
3. Beer
4. Liqueur

In which glass would you serve a bottled beer?

1. Wine glass
2. Cocktail glass
3. Balloon glass
4. Pilsner glass

Conclusion

Congratulations on completing the lesson! 

You now have a solid foundation in understanding alcoholic beverages, their production processes, examples, and serving techniques. 

Cheers to your newfound knowledge!

Wrap up the lesson by congratulating students on their achievements and highlighting the importance of responsible alcohol consumption.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.