How to Taste Beer

 

Beer tasting is way beyond a simple task of drink and swallow. In order to totally understand and enjoy the beverage, you need to employ some strategies, and keep in mind some tips and tricks for getting the most out of the drink.

 

Below are the seven main steps in tasting beer like a real pro:

 

Pouring

 

Doesn't matter if you're drinking bottled, canned, or draft beer - you need to pour the liquid into a glass. A common standard mixing glass, also known as a "pint," can do the job, but pros recommend picking a glass that suits the style of beer you'll be tasting. Glass shape undoubtedly affects the taste and the whole drinking experience, and most of it has something to do with the rim.

 

If a glass has a narrow mouth, you will tend to sip, meaning the beer will come in contact with your tongue's front and sides first - areas that register sweetness and acidity. On the other hand, because a wide-mouthed rim encourages glugging, beer will tend to go straight to the back of your tongue, which registers bitterness.

 

Observing

 

As soon as you've poured your beer, take a long hard look at it. Focus on the size, color and consistency of the head. Look for more facts about beers at http://www.dictionary.com/browse/keg.

 

Swirling

 

At this point, you'd like to swirl the glass slowly just to move the beer around a bit inside the glass. This step is intended to release the subtle aromas and nuances, as well as to assess head retention.

 

Smelling

 

Immediately following the swirl, take two sharp, quick sniffs of the drink, and then sniff it once normally. Now take one last sniff with your mouth open. You have to do this in spot without any extraneous, overpowering odors. Welcome all of the aromas. Remember the strong, not so strong, weak, and so on, and try describing the experience in words. Look for craft beer club here!

 

Drinking

 

Now we come to the highlight of the experience - drink the beer. Hasn't waiting a bit made it taste a whole lot better? You had some teasers, and now you can have the drink all to yourself - but no chugging.

 

Tasting

 

Get small sips and don't swallow instantly. The beer should be left to linger, coating your tongue as well as the top of your throat. Allow the flavors to sink in. Then exhale from your nose and swallow.

 

Reflecting

 

Finally, do take notes, chat with a friend, or just pause and think about the experience. This will help you as a beer taster and in articulating your drinking experience. Perhaps not overnight but definitely in time. In any case, being able to describe the experience in words helps you have a more solid appreciation of the beer. Learn about Amazing Clubs beer club here!