Hosted by Daenna Van Mulligen, The Wine Diva

In Canada, Daenna has become the go to person for on-line wine reviews. Daenna Van Mulligen lives in Vancouver where she works as a wine writer and publisher. She has been the master of ceremonies and primary educator for the past five years at EAT! Vancouver's wine stage and at EAT! Fraser Valley to entertain and educate you about all things wine. She returns to the EAT! stage for her sixth year.

She is well known in the industry via her alter-ego Wine Diva www.WineDiva.ca a tongue-in-cheek wine website geared toward her very serious passion for all things wine. Six years, five continents and thousands of wine reviews later WineDiva.ca and its sister site WineScores.ca reaches hundreds of thousands of readers around the world each month.

Daenna is an accredited sommelier who thrives on educating the public with her deviously inspirational and humorous approach to wine hoping to share her knowledge and increase consumer consumption while decreasing wine snobbery.

Daenna is also a regular contributor to Vines Magazine (Canada’s largest wine magazine) and to the BC Liquor Stores Taste Magazine. You can hear her weekly on Terry David Mulligan’s The Tasting Room Radio or see her often on local television.

Check out Daenna's latest creation: Wine Scores at winescores.ca Wine Scores - Because we all want to score! winescores.ca provides a numerical rating for all of your favourite wines. Complete wine reviews, new wine releases, cheese pairings and wine articles. Everything you want in a wine website...

Just Here For The Beer (JHFTB) is a Vancouver based beer education and consulting company. JHFTB has been teaching beer tasting and education classes for the past 8 years at UBC, local community centres and private seminars. During this time period JHFTB has also organized numerous beer festivals at UBC and its members have been guest speakers at major industry events and at local community colleges. The company has also been featured on television and radio and in the newspaper. All of our sponsors and venders who participate in the festivals, events and classes benefit from the exposure we bring to the industry.

JHFTB has travelled to several breweries in British Columbia and the Western US. This has created a base of knowledge that goes far beyond simple product knowledge. This means that not only do we understand unique brewing techniques and flavours in beer we also know what makes different breweries special and unique. Brewery tours have also created a knowledge depth that is second to none and have increased company credibility among the brewers and in the North American beer industry.

JHFTB prides itself as being the first 100% independent beer tasting company in Canada. We are not influenced by marketing and work with a huge list of clients including domestic brands, microbrews, brewpubs and specialty importers in BC.

JHFTB also understands the current market trends and tastes dozens of new beers each year. This means that we keep current with new products available on the market including specialty imports and seasonal beers. The number and type of products available in BC is always changing and as Vancouver’s Beer Experts it is our responsibility to remain current.

JHFTB has built a strong relationship with students in the class and has a great rapport with media, former students, and other industry professionals. This has been the most important aspect of the company’s success over the past 8 years and this is a source of pride for JHFTB.

JHFTB is dedicated to providing consumers an opportunity to expand their beer experience through various tastings and festivals. These events are fun, great value, educational and contribute to strengthening the beer culture in Canada.

Colin Jack, B.A., B.Ed., Associates of Arts

Colin enjoys several different beers from around the world. He believes that the best beer a person can taste is the beer that comes from the city you are in! He is the Just Here For The Beer beer historian, sociologist and webmaster. Colin completed his education degree at UBC and started the beer tasting classes when he was working for the Alma Mater Society. He did his undergraduate at UBC with a major in History and a minor in Canadian Studies and Sociology. Colin works as a full-time school teacher at a private school in Vancouver. Colin is a Just Here For The Beer owner, beer expert, instructor, consultant, event coordinator, and party host.

"My favourite part of teaching the beer classes is that it gives me a chance to combine my two passions; teaching and beer! How could anyone argue with that?"

Rick Mohabir, Diploma in Business

Rick loves tasting beer. He brings a wealth of experience to the students in the class. He is the Just Here For The Beer brewing expert and can tell you all you need to know about the different types of beer from around the world. Rick also brings a fun aspect to the class by teaching various drinking games from around the world. Rick has his business diploma and loves looking at the marketing aspects of the beer industry. He is the company director of operations for the special events and festivals. Rick is a Just Here For The Beer owner, beer expert, instructor, marketing expert, and party host.

"I have a thirst for knowledge. Researching and tasting beer has given me a chance to challenge my abilities and practice my research skills."

Locally born and raised Chef Tim has been in the Hospitality industry for 35 years and held positions ranging from Executive Chef to Director of Food and Beverage in fine dining restaurants, schools and hotels. He holds a number of achievements including a Diploma in Hospitality Administration, Certified Chef-de-Cuisine and also certification as a Sommelier from the International Sommelier Guild. Receiving instructor status for the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) out of London, England, he has the distinction of being the only Certified Chef-de-Cuisine and Sommelier in Canada that also holds the prestigious WSET Diploma of Wine and Spirits. He is also the Founder and past president (2003-2009) of the BC Wine Appreciation Society.

Don't miss the Mott's Clamato Caesar School Stage!

Mott's will be presenting their Mott's Clamato Caesar School and tastings in an adjoining pavilion near the Grapes & Hops Presentation Stage and Wine, Beer & Spirits Tasting Pavilion.