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Colin Jack
Colin Jack has been working in the beer industry for the last 6 years as an instructor and consultant. The original founder of Just Here For The Beer Ltd, Jack created the company while working at the University of British Columbia in 2002. As a program coordinator for the Alma Mater Society, Jack coordinated all of the non-credit courses (continuing education) at UBC while he was completing his education degree at the university. The program had a Wine Tasting & Education class. Having limited interest in wine, but being very curious about beer, Jack decided to offer a Beer Tasting & Education class to the students at UBC. The first semester of the course had very low registration numbers and forced the program to cancel the original instructor, but Jack, along with his business partner Rick Mohabir and two friends decided to go ahead with the class. Each week they selected a variety of products to taste and did some research about beer and the basic ingredients and processes.
The second time the course was offered a number of students registered for the class and Jack was faced with a dilemma. Although there were several students registered, there was no instructor. Jack along with his partner decided to take on the challenge of teaching the Beer Tasting & Education class. From humble beginnings, the course at UBC in now one of the most programs offered by the Alma Mater Society. The Beer Tasting & Education classes are now also offered at community centres throughout the Lower Mainland.
As the head instructor, Jack also works as the company spokesman and has made several media appearances on local television and radio. He has also been featured several times in the Lower Mainland newspapers. Career highlights include interviews on CBC Radio One, CityTV – Breakfast Television, and Shaw Television – Urban Rush. He was also recently featured as the UBC Alumni of the Month and in the Business in Vancouver Newspaper. In August 2006, Jack and Mohabir also did tour of British Columbian Breweries to meet the brewers and owners of 18 different companies.
Jack prides himself in always creating a “buzz” about beer through fun and informative seminars, interviews and classes. Professional, personal and entertaining are all words that describe Jack’s teaching style. He has the ability to teach to individuals and large groups. He loves being in the spotlight and loves to joke and laugh, but most importantly he loves to answer questions about beer. Jack has truly been able to make the transition from beer drinker to beer taster, instructor, consultant and connoisseur. Jack spends hundreds of hours researching and writing about beer. He also attends several industry events throughout the year and has been the keynote speaker at numerous beer festivals.
Jack’s formal education has contributed to his research skills and interest in various beer-related topics including the history and social impact of beer throughout the world. Jack has his Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Arts (with a History Major and Sociology/Canadian Studies minor) from the University of British Columbia. He also has completed his Associates of Arts Degree (Sociology) from Kwantlen College-University. Jack always strives to develop new knowledge and information about beer for the classes.
Together with his business partner, Jack has become one of Canada’s most important beer advocates. In six short years, Just Here For The Beer has established itself as Vancouver’s Beer Experts!
Colin is a regular weekly guest commentator on CKNW radio's The World Today with Jon McComb.
Colin & Rick are the producers of the annual Canada Cup of Beer Festival at Thunderbird Park, UBC coming up again on July 5th, 2009!
Visit Colin's websites:
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