We are offering 12 Beer School classes in 2023!

Guardian Brewing Company offers Certified Cicerone led beer classes, open to the public (21+ only) each month. For more information, please read the details below for each class and/or check out our Facebook event page.

To sign up for a class, please stop in, call 269-543-2238, or purchase tickets through Eventbrite (click on the below each class). No refunds are given within 10 days of class, as we have purchased food pairings for the group at that time.

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All courses will be instructed by Kim Collins, a Certified Cicerone, Owner, and Head Brewer of Guardian Brewing Company. Kim has been brewing professionally since 2012 at five breweries before opening Guardian. She is passionate about recipe research, the art of barrel aging and beer pairing. Before and after Kim became a brewer, she taught a variety of university-level courses for 13 years at Indiana University, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and most recently Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s Sustainable Brewing Program. Kim’s love for teaching is evident in every class experience.

2023 Class Details

• Date: JANUARY 26
• Time: 7:00-8:00PM
• Cost: $35 per person (21+ only)
• Available seats: 30

The art of pairing beer with food starts with understanding a few basic flavor combinations. Our goal for this class is for all participants to be able to successfully understand the basics of pairing beer and food well enough to successfully pair at home or order the beer that will compliment your entree best at restaurants.

During this hour-long class, we will explore how different four macaroni and cheese dishes can be paired with four Guardian beers. Each pairing will be unique from the next, so come hungry! (Vegetarian option available!)

This course includes four 6-ounce tasters of different beer styles we discuss in class. Come learn something about a style you have or haven’t had before and learn about why it’s important to the world of craft beer.

• Date: FEBRUARY 13
• Time: 7:00-8:30PM
• Cost: $35 per person
• Anyone 21+ is welcome! (This event is open to anyone, not just those identifying as female)
• Available seats: 30

Join us for a special annual Feb. 13 holiday focused on friendship – PALENTINE’S DAY! During this event, from 7-8PM, we will pair FOUR artisan cheeses and FOUR desserts with FOUR unique Guardian beers. Anyone 21 or older is welcome at our event. (Vegetarian option available!)

The event is $35 per person and includes four 6-ounce tasters of different Guardian beer paired with the desserts and cheese. Come learn something about a style of beer or food pairing you have or haven’t had before and learn about why it’s important to the world of craft beer.

• Date: MARCH 16
• Time: 7:00-8:30PM
• Cost: $15 per person (21+ only)
• Available seats: 30

During this hour-long class, we will celebrate all things St. Patrick’s Day and explore the history behind traditional Irish beer styles. Where did the styles begin and where are they now?

This course includes four 6-ounce tasters of different beer styles we discuss in class. Come learn something about a style you have or haven’t had before and learn about why it’s important to the world of craft beer.

• Date: APRIL 6
• Time: 7:00-8:00PM
• Cost: $35 per person (21+ only)
• Available seats: 30

The art of pairing beer with food starts with understanding a few basic flavor combinations. Our goal for this class is for all participants to be able to successfully understand the basics of pairing beer and food well enough to successfully pair at home or order the beer that will compliment your entree best at restaurants.

During this event, from 7-8PM, we will pair four tea-time small plates with four unique Guardian beers. Anyone 21 or older is welcome at our event. (Vegetarian option available!)

This course includes four 6-ounce tasters of different beer styles we discuss in class. Come learn something about a style you have or haven’t had before and learn about why it’s important to the world of craft beer.

• Date: MAY 4 (May the fourth be with you.)
• Time: 7:00-8:00PM
• Cost: $15 per person (21+ only)
• Available seats: 30

Do you like lagers? Want to learn more about the scope and variety of the world’s lagers? (It’s bigger than you think!) Join us to explore the history and flavors of world famous lager styles and their significance to beer styles of the world…integrated with a little Star Wars fun!…

This course includes four 6-ounce tasters of different beer styles discussed in class. Come in and learn more about your new favorite beer style.

• Date: JUNE 8
• Time: 7:00-8:30PM
• Cost: $15 per person (21+ only)
• Available seats: 30

Do you like IPAs? Let’s explore the HUGE variety of IPAs available in the USA nowadays. Join us to learn more about new and favorite styles still incredibly popular around the world after hundreds of years.

During this hour-long class, we will explore the history and nuances behind the two different styles of American IPAs. This course includes four 6-ounce tasters of different IPA styles discussed in class. Come in and learn more about your favorite beer style or try a new IPA style for the first time and see what all the hype is about!

• Date: JULY 6
• Time: 7:00-8:00PM
• Cost: $35 per person (21+ only)
• Available seats: 30

The art of pairing beer with food starts with understanding a few basic flavor combinations. Our goal for this class is for all participants to be able to successfully understand the basics of pairing beer and food well enough to successfully pair at home or order the beer that will compliment your entree best at restaurants.

During this event, from 7-8PM, we will pair four types of local salsa with four unique Guardian beers. Anyone 21 or older is welcome at our event. (Vegetarian option available!)

This course includes four 6-ounce tasters of different beer styles we discuss in class. Come learn something about a style you have or haven’t had before and learn about why it’s important to the world of craft beer.

• Date: AUGUST 3
• Time: 7:00-8:00PM
• Cost: $15 per person (21+ only)
• Available seats: 30

Do you like fruit in your beer? Let’s explore the HUGE variety of fruit beers available! (Being in the fruit belt of Michigan helps a lot.) Join us to learn more about many soon-to-be favorite styles of beer with fruit, uses and dosing fruit in beer, and more.

During this hour-long class, we will explore the history and nuances behind fruit beer around the world. This course includes four 6-ounce of different beer styles discussed in class. Come in and learn more about your new favorite beer style.

• Date: SEPTEMBER 14
• Time: 7:00-8:00PM
• Cost: $35 per person (21+ only)
• Available seats: 30

The art of pairing beer with food starts with understanding a few basic flavor combinations. Our goal for this class is for all participants to be able to successfully understand the basics of pairing beer and food well enough to successfully pair at home or order the beer that will compliment your entree best at restaurants.

During this event, from 7-8PM, we will pair four classic Oktoberfest foods with four unique Guardian beers. Anyone 21 or older is welcome at our event. Come hungry! (Vegetarian option available!)

This course includes four 6-ounce tasters of different beer styles we discuss in class. Come learn something about a style you have or haven’t had before and learn about why it’s important to the world of craft beer.

• Date: OCTOBER 26
• Time: 7:00-8:00PM
• Cost: $15 per person (21+ only)
• Available seats: 30

Do you like weird beer? What constitutes weird/uncommonly flavored beers? During this hour-long class, we will explore the history and nuances behind Experimental Beer Styles. Where did they begin and how did it morph into a ton of beer styles found all over the world? What flavors are especially weird and totally delicious?

This course includes four 6-ounce tasters of different beer styles we discuss in class. Come learn something about a style you have or haven’t had before and learn about why it’s important to the world of craft beer.

• Date: NOVEMBER 16
• Time: 7:00-8:00PM
• Cost: $35 per person (21+ only)
• Available seats: 30

The art of pairing beer with food starts with understanding a few basic flavor combinations. Our goal for this class is for all participants to be able to successfully understand the basics of pairing beer and food well enough to successfully pair at home or order the beer that will compliment your entree best at restaurants.

Do you like PIE… AND beer? During this special pre-Thanksgiving event, from 7-8PM, we will pair four pies with four unique Guardian beers. Anyone 21 or older is welcome at our event. Come hungry! (Vegetarian option available!)

This course includes four 6-ounce tasters of different beer styles we discuss in class. Come learn something about a style you have or haven’t had before and learn about why it’s important to the world of craft beer.

• Date: DECEMBER 14
• Time: 7:00-8:00PM
• Cost: $20 per person (21+ only)
• Available seats: 30

During this hour-long class, we will explore the history behind barrel-aged beer. Where did the styles begin? Where have beer-makers taken the styles?

This course includes four 6-ounce tasters of different beer styles we discuss in class. Come learn something about a style you have or haven’t had before and learn about why it’s important to the world of craft beer.