About eight or nine years ago I was searching for a short video to show my tutor group about food waste. I have been aware of the vast amount of food that is wasted in the UK for may years and wanted you open a discussion with my students. I stumbled across a video on YouTube which showed Tristram Stuart giving a TED talk entitled "The global food waste scandal" In this lecture, crammed full of interest and passion, Mr Stuart mentioned a new project in which he was involved which was taking left over bread and using it as part of the carbohydrate for brewing beer. The brand was called Toast and was finally set up in 2015. The statement in support of this venture was the delightful "If you want to change the world you have to throw a better party than those destroying it"
It is worth remembering, at this point, that, in 2012 when Mr Stuart was giving the TED talk we were in the early days of the Craft beer revolution which is now providing the British public with the most amazing choice of beers. We are blessed with choice beyond anything we have seen before, from traditional cask ales to American style IPA's. It is in many ways a golden age for the discerning beer drinker.
The Craft beer movement is full of collaborations between breweries and this collegiate approach leads to some amazing beers. Many micro breweries and indeed brewers operate a social enterprises or brew to raise issues around injustice.
Toast have decided that the advent of Cop26 was the time to make a huge beery point. They have created a coalition of 25 breweries, all of whom have produced a new beer using bread in the mash tun. These beers have been packed up together and sold online with various treats also tucked in to the very clever box. A big chunk of the price goes to charities. I, of course, ordered a box.
The beautiful wife and I have been taking part in "Dry October" so not having any alcohol until November 1st. My wonderful box of beer arrived a few days ago and has been torturing me ever since! I have, however, been strong and the collection is still intact.
Having mentioned this on Twitter I was advised by the team at Toast that my first beer should be their own Juicy IPA. So tomorrow after some exercise and dinner I will open one can of beer and enjoy it. I plan blog my reactions to this beer and then do the same for every beer in the box. I do not plan to do one every night as the body must be allowed at least a couple of days a week without booze. And so, until tomorrow....
