Natural Selections :: Experts Table | Panel Discussions | Science Activities | Food

Beer Yeast Science
NC State University, The Dunn Lab
Yeast, one of the four ingredients in beer, can contribute up to 50% of a beer’s flavor. Come see, smell, taste and learn about these microscopic creatures. Learn about where wild yeasts exist in nature, and how we capture them to make beer at North Carolina State University.

Wild Yeast: Effect on Beer Flavors
NC State University, Sheppard Brew Lab
The Dunn Lab has isolated two strains of wild yeast from social insects – a wasp and a bumblebee. The Sheppard Brew Lab has made a lambic-style beer using the same recipe, but different strains of this wild yeast. Visitors to the booth can taste the two beers and guess which is from the bumblebee yeast and which is from the wasp yeast.

Dry Hopping for Impact
Compass Rose Brewery
Brewers use dry hopping – a process of steeping an ingredient in beer after fermentation – to add flavors and depth to a beer. Most often this is done with hops, especially in IPAs, but it can be used with a variety of ingredients. Compass Rose took its Agave Cream Ale as a base and dry hopped it separately with Centennial hops, Mintras (Neomexicanus) hops, and ginger to highlight this process.

Learn How to Home Brew!
Atlantic Brew Supply
Atlantic Brew Supply will demonstrate how to home brew beer. They will be showcasing recipe kit ingredients and instructions on how to turn malt, hops, yeast and water into beer. This is a great way to learn how to brew your very own beer at home!

Interactive Beer Lab
Nickelpoint Brewing Co.
The Nickelpoint Brewing Co. crew will be on hand to walk guests through an interactive brewery lab experience. Guests will be able to perform a yeast cell count, check gravity with a hydrometer, and learn more about lab equipment the brewers use daily. Win prizes and chat with their brew staff!

Strange Cargo: Wood-aged Beers
Big Boss Brewery
Introduce yourself to the “Strange Cargo” series of wood-aged beers. Find out how beer benefits from extended periods in wood cooperage with their brewers.

The Importance of Water & Brewing
White Street Brewing Co.
Learn more about the role water plays in the brewing process and how brewers use water.

The Art of Pairing Beer and Food
Bond Brothers Beer Co.
Enjoy a Certified Cicerone-led pairing of a local cheese with a Bond Brothers Beer Company beer.

The Magical Beer Formula: Flavor = Taste + Scent
Micro World iLab, NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Stop by to find out why you need your nose, not just your tongue, to enjoy that beer – and take a couple of taste tests while you’re there!

The Science Behind Home Brewing
Natural World iLab, NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Try your hand at testing the fermentables, or sugar content, in wort using hydrometers and refractometers. These instruments help a brewer measure the density (specific gravity) of the liquid. Learn how you can gain the skills you need to produce your very own craft brew with our “Science Behind Home Brewing” classes.

Interactive Game Room

Battle of the Minds
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
How hard can you concentrate on the ball? Mindflex Duel senses brain activity to allow players to push a levitated ball back and forth across the playing field. Compete with your friends in this intense battle of “mind-eye” concentration.

Altered States
NC State University, The Meitzen Lab
Try your hand at corn hole while wearing “beer goggles”– prism goggles that mimic the visual impairment of intoxication by shifting your vision using Fresnel lenses. See how your coordination suffers “under the influence.”

And More!