Plenty of people like beer, but not every beer drinker knows how to fully appreciate everything that goes into a good drink. If you want to start appreciating beer like a true beer aficionado, here are the steps you should take when you go to have a drink.
9 Steps to Tasting Beer Like a Beer Aficionado
1. Don't Limit Your Selection
They say that variety is the spice of life, and that definitely holds true when it comes to beer. If you want to start getting better at noticing the differences between different kinds of beer, you shouldn't limit yourself to just one kind when you're drinking. While anyone who has ever overdone it will tell you that you shouldn't drink too much, ordering a sampler paddle is a great way to get a variety of different beers without over drinking.
There are dozens of different varieties of beer, so you'll have to try out a lot of different kinds to experience the full range of flavors. Most are either classified as lager or ale, with lager being made from yeast that ferments at the bottom of the brew, and ales fermenting at the top. There are lots of different subdivisions within these categories, such as hoppy IPAs or chocolate-like porters.
2. Talk with Another Beer Drinker
The best things in life shouldn't be experienced alone, and that includes enjoying a good beer. Apart from drinking with a friend being a lot more fun, it will also help you fully appreciate the beer you have. After all, everyone has different taste buds, so your drinking partner might pick up on something that you might otherwise miss out on.
Strike up a conversation about the beer that you're tasting with the person you're drinking with. Are they noticing the same flavor notes as you are? Do they experience the texture of the beer in a similar way as you do? These types of conversations are best had with other friends who are also interested in refining their taste for beer or someone who's already an experienced beer drinker.
3. Stop and Smell the Beer
Plenty of people rush into going for a drink once there's a beer in front of them, but if you want to fully appreciate everything a beer has to offer, you should go about things a little more methodically than that. Follow your nose and give the beer you're about to drink a good whiff before you go to take a drink.
The advice you might hear from a beer aficionado is that you should smell any beer you drink three times. On the first whiff, you're likely to pick up on a scent that quickly fades away. The second and third time, you'll be able to pick up on the different, more subtle scents the beer has to offer.
4. Consider the Beer's Appearance
They say you can't judge a book by its cover, but that isn't completely true when it comes to judging beer. There's plenty that you can tell from the way a beer looks, so take a moment to inspect the beer closely before you go to take a drink.
Some things to look out for as far as the beer's appearance go are the clarity and color of the beer, as well as the amount of sediment (in other words, any small particles suspended in the beer) that you can notice. You'll also want to pay attention to what's known as the ‘head' of the beer, the foamy layer that forms on top of the beer, specifically checking for the head's size and texture.
5. Start Out with a Small Sip
So now that you've smelled the beer and got a good look at it, it's time to go bottoms-up, right? Not so fast. There may be a time and a place to chug a beer, but when you want to fully appreciate everything a beer has to offer, it's better to start out small and take your time.
Begin your experience with the beer in front of you by taking just a small sip at first. Swirl that sip around in your mouth for a moment before swallowing. Look for any sweet or dry flavors when the beer first touches your tongue, pay attention to bitter notes as the beer goes down. The back of your tongue is best for tasting bitter flavors, so you won't taste the full bitter flavor until you swallow.
6. Think About Texture
Taste isn't everything when you're analyzing a sip of beer. You should also develop a sense for appreciating the different ways that beer can feel in your mouth. A texture that you like can make the difference in turning a beer you like the taste of into your very favorite drink.
The thickness of the beer is one thing to consider when it comes to texture. Does the beer feel thick in your mouth, or is it thinner and water-like? You should also pay attention to the carbonation levels of the beer. Ideally, you don't want a beer that feels prickly going down, but one that still has a foamy, creamy feel to the carbonation.
7. Learn to Pick Out Ingredients
As you start getting better at recognizing the different characteristics of a beer, you'll start to be able to pick out the different components that go into making beer. Start by tasting for any malts that went into the beer. These usually have a roasted coffee or bread-like flavor, making them stand out from the rest of what you'll be drinking.
The next thing you should look for are any hops in the beer, which can give a variety of different flavors. For example, pale ales often have hops that taste pine-like or fruity. Pilsners, on the other hand, often have a hop flavor that is more floral, herbal, or perfume-like.
8. Faults to Look Out for
Few beers are perfect, so you'll want to keep an eye out for any flaws even in beers that you do like. Learning to look out for the different defects in a brew can help you separate the average beers from the truly exceptional drinks.
Over oxidization is one common flaw to look out for, which commonly results in a paper or cardboard-like taste. You should also look for an unpleasant flavor somewhat similar to popcorn. This is a sign of a fault called diacetyl, which is a byproduct of the fermentation process.
9. Discover Your Preferences
As you become more and more of a beer aficionado, you're going to start getting a better idea of what you like. Once you've thoroughly experienced a few different beers, start asking yourself where your preferences lie. Do you like your beers especially hoppy, or with a less bitter taste? Do you like additional flavors like fruit notes, or do you prefer straight-up hops and malt concoctions with no frills? You'll know your taste better as you become more experienced.
If you want to start sharpening your palette for beer, there's no better place to do it than our brewery. We'll give you the full gamut of the different flavors beer can offer you. Stop in for a drink at Lowercase Brewing today!
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