Talks
I have given talks about a wide range of beer-related topics … from beer history and culture, to beer styles, to beer making and beer tasting. I tailor my talks to each audience and can present in English, German, French, or Spanish. At the end of each talk, I always invite the audience to ask me ANYTHING about beer!
I am happy to work with you to develop ideas for whatever you are planning. Scroll down for a few concepts to kick off your thinking, as well as a list of selected past Talks. — Horst Dornbusch
At Brewin’ Up Books 2016, Fort Collins Colorado
Interview in New York City for the German national public television network ARD
At the World Barley, Malt & Beer Conference 2019, Warsaw, Poland
A few ideas for talks to inspire your audience
For beer lovers eager to know more
A talk that lays the foundation ― from basic brewing and ingredients, to styles and brands, to beer and food pairings ― in an engaging, witty program.
Tastings optional.
For college students & other young adults
Everything one needs to know about beer … how to enjoy it … or abstain from it ... and be safe! I cover the scientific foundations of alcohol, its effects on health and lifestyle, and how beer, when used responsibly, can add to life’s enjoyment and conviviality.
For professional & home brewers
Designed to augment brewers’ knowledge, topics can range from recipe development, to ingredients, to beer styles. I encourage brewers’ questions on any challenge or issue!
For history buffs & the general audience
This talk transports the audience on a world tour of beer ― from the time of Ninkasi, the Sumerian goddess of beer, to the Finish epic of Kalevala, to the Founding Fathers writing the U.S. Constitution over mugs of ale, to temperance and prohibition, to the craft beer diversity of today.
A selection of past talks
Brewing Dark Lagers “by the book”
7th VLB European MicroBrew Symposium
November 2019, Nuremberg, Germany
Le brassage « à la lettre » des bières foncées à fermentation basse
MBAA Eastern Canada, Technical Conference
November 2019, Montreal, Canada
From “Local vs. Global” to “Local & Global”: A Possible Paradigm Shift?
RMI Analytics World Barley, Malt & Beer Conference
March 2019, Warsaw, Poland
Moderator and Speaker: RMI Analytics Heirloom & Terroir Barley and Malt Symposium:
The Past as Prologue for Modern Brewers?
November 2018, Nuremberg, Germany
Beer Recipe Development & Beer Styles
2016 Craft Brewers Powwow
June 2016, Cape Town, South Africa
How the Science of Beer Rocked the Cradle of Civilization
Roger Williams University Department of Chemistry
October 2016, Bristol, Rhode Island, USA
Beer, Books and What Makes Us Human
Fort Collins Book Fest: Brewin’ Up Books!
October 2016, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
Don’t Ship the Water! Ökonomische, ökologische und sensorische Alternativen zum Bierexport
Brau Beviale 2016 Export Forum
November 2016, Nuremberg, Germany
A New Frontier in Brewing: Recreating Heirloom Beers from Historical Documents
5th VLB European MicroBrew Symposium
November 2016, Nuremberg, Germany
Hop Utilization Devices for Improved Hop Efficiency under Conditions of Growing Hop Shortages
4th VLB European MicroBrew Symposium
November 2015, Nuremberg, Germany
Hops in Beer: A Primer
Festival Brasileiro da Cerveja
March 2014, Blumenau, Brazil
Markets, Trends, and Technologies. German and Anglo-American Brew House Configurations:
Two Concepts of Wort Production
3rd VLB European MicroBrew Symposium
November 2014, Nuremberg, Germany
Keynote Address: 7th Michael Jackson Award
The Belgian Beer Culture and the American Craft Beer Revolution
Award Lunch & Opening 15th Bierpassie Weekend
June 2014, Antwerp, Belgium
Los estilos clásicos de cerveza y el movimiento de cerveza artisanal — ¿Una prisión del pasado o una plataforma de la futura? Conservadurismo, revolución, y la tranquilidad de la filosofía.
CONGRESO CERVEZA MÉXICO
September 2013, Mexico City, Mexico
Differenzierung durch Bierverpackung und Zapfhähne! Biermarkenpositionierung in einem saturierten Markt
Drinktec 2103
September 2013, Munich, Germany
Having a Beer with The Pharoahs: An Archaeological Talk & Taste
Hood Museum of Art at Dartmouth College
April 2012, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
German Beer in the USA: Hindernisse, Fehlkonzeptionen und ungenutzte Gelegenheiten
14. Deutscher Bierkongress
January 2012, Düsseldorf, Germany
The Story of American Beer: American Beer Culture at the Crossroads of Freedom, Community, Piety, Economics, and Politics
Harvard Club of Boston
June 2012, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
¿Son los estilos clásicos de cerveza importantes o irrelevantes?
Copa Cervezas de América
September 2012, Santiago, Chile
Beer Planet: A Voyage of Discovery to the World’s Great Beers and Brewing Cultures
The Smithsonian Associates
November 2009, The Brickskeller, Washington D.C., USA
Celebrating the Brews of Bavaria, Beer Garden to the World
The Smithsonian Associates
Oktoberfest at The Brickskeller
October 2008, The Brickskeller, Washington D.C., USA
Panel Member:
“Here’s to Beer”― Generische Kommunikation für amerikanisches Bier in USA
Der 7. Sommertag - Getränkewirtschaft 2008: Menschen, Märkte und Moral
August 2008, Berlin, Germany
The Secrets of German Beer
The Smithsonian Associates
September 2006, The Brickskeller, Washington D.C., USA
Panel Member:
Workshop: Does winning international competitions like the World Beer Cup build up sales as well as image?
World Beer & Drinks Forum 2005
September 2005, Munich, Germany
GO WEST … Die Erweiterung des bayerische Bier-Exportmarktes in USA:
Schwierigkeiten, Sonderheiten, Möglichkeiten
Bayerischer Brauertag 2005, Bavarian Brewers Federation
November 2005, Munich, Germany
Panel Member:
German Style Beer Brewing in Massachusetts: Yesterday and Today
Old South Meeting House & German American Council for Business
June 1998, Old South Meeting House, Boston, U.S.A.