An in-depth knowledge of beer can enliven humdrum dinner parties, just as an in-depth knowledge of dynamite fishing can enliven foundering job interviews. Give palates an executive education with today’s Groupon: for $25, you get a beer-brewing class for two at Booth's Brewing (a $50 value).

The hops-savvy instructors at Booth's Brewing guide 20–25 students through the basics of crafting custom beers at home with 90-minute beer-brewing classes. The sessions familiarize students with standard brewing equipment and ingredients, arming them with the theoretical and practical knowledge to successfully make beer at home without using bathtubs. Students will learn the extract brewing process—concocting beers from malt extract instead of all grain—as the libation experts give step-by-step instruction on steeping and boiling the ingredients, pitching and fermenting the yeast, aging and conditioning the brew, and finally bottling the creations. At the end of class, guests sample local home brewers' beers, and leave with copies of Booth's Extract Brewing Guide, which will come in handy as a refresher when participants start new batches or prop up tables with one short leg.