By Vanessa Brazeau

From reading ingredient lists at the grocery store to digging up factory info on the brands I eat, I have a little obsession with understanding what is going into my body. Oddly, this quality hasn’t carried over to alcohol – perhaps because a hangover says more about health benefits than labels ever could?

Maybe not – recent conversations with folks behind the scenes in the beer industry have me second guessing. Does drinking organic beer prevent the hangover? Are ‘Natural’ wines using the word as a marketing tactic to keep up with current trends or do they really have benefits?

Firefly Fine Wines and Ales provides answers to these questions and more with a wide variety of knowledge-packed tastings this June. It also gives us the opportunity to justify an evening of alcohol as an educational experience.

The staff introduces this informative experience with the French style of learning ‘La table Commune’. Strangers gather together to share knowledge and passion for food and drink in a controlled environment – a safe alternative to the naive and irrational dinner invitations I extend to transit-goers engaging me in interesting conversation during evening rush hour.

My roommate will be relieved that Firefly’s Cambie Street store will house my irresponsible techniques for friend making, and offer impressively knowledgeable suggestions for summer refreshments.

All workshops are $35 and run from 7-9pm

Learn the benefits of Natural Wine on Tuesday June 22nd. Understand what it means to be ‘grown with organic grapes’, ‘certified organic,’ ‘biodynamic’, ‘sustainable’ and ‘naturally farmed’ with a workshop that clears up all the confusion surrounding natural wines. You will also taste a bunch of natural wines from around the world and discover the important role natural farming has in relation to a wine’s quality.

A Women’s Only beer seminar will be happening on Tuesday June 29th, giving you the opportunity to taste different brewing styles, learn about the history of beer and discover which brews go best with food.

Join the casual, unpretentious atmosphere at Firefly Fine Wines and Ales’ Cambie Street tasting room.

Give them a ring at 604.875.3325 or email jbashford@fireflyfinewinesandales.com to sign up or get more details!