Date of Graduation

7-2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Human Environmental Science (MS)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

General Human Environmental Sciences

Advisor/Mentor

Rhonda K. Hammond

Committee Member

Robert J. Harrington

Second Committee Member

Jacquelyn D. Wiersma-Mosley

Keywords

Social sciences, Health and environmental sciences, Beer, Experts, Food pairings, Gender, Knowledge, Novices

Abstract

Food and wine pairings are commonly seen among empirical research. Minimal research exists concerning beer and food pairings, yet food analysts are taking note of higher rates of beer and food pairings occurring. As such, these exploratory studies examine young adults’, experts’ and novices’ knowledge of beer and food pairings along with gender differences and sensory pairing of beer and chocolate. A survey was used to identify both subjective and objective knowledge along with a test to determine appropriateness of expert and novice choices. It was found that males had greater objective knowledge of beer and food pairing than females, while their subjective scores were similar. Industry experts more accurately paired beers with foods than novices. Another survey was used to identify demographics and how much each pairing was liked or disliked. Results demonstrated that males have a higher overall liking of beer and chocolate pairings than females. Despite males liking the pairings more than females, the female sample still rated the pairings in a highly favorable manner. These studies are intended to aid in identifying young adults’ knowledge of beer and food pairings, the differences between expert and novice consumer choices and gender differences between males and females when it comes to sensory pairing of beer and food.

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