A Beginner’s Guide to Beer Tasting: How to Train Your Palate and Discover New Flavors
Beer is one of the most popular beverages in the world, with millions of people around the globe enjoying it on a daily basis. However, not everyone knows how to truly appreciate a good beer. Tasting beer goes beyond drinking it; it involves training your palate to detect different flavors and aromas. In this beginner’s guide to beer tasting, we’ll show you how to train your palate and discover new flavors in beer.
Step 1: Choose the Right Glass
The first step to beer tasting is choosing the right glass. Different types of beer glasses are designed to enhance the drinking experience by maximizing the aroma, flavor and appearance of the beer. For instance, a tulip glass is designed to enhance the aroma of aromatic beers like IPAs, saisons and Belgian ales. While a pint glass is better suited for beers that are low on aroma, such as pale lagers.
Step 2: Inspect the Beer
After pouring your beer into the right glass, the next step is to inspect it. Check the color, clarity and head of the beer. Lagers are usually gold or amber in color, while stouts and porters are dark brown or black. Haze in beer is undesirable and may indicate that the beer is infected.
Step 3: Smell the Beer
The aroma of beer is a crucial part of its taste experience. Swirl the beer gently to release the aroma, then sniff the beer. Some of the common aromas of beer include floral, fruity, earthy, and spicy. By smelling the beer, you can identify the predominant aroma and train your palate to detect it in future beers.
Step 4: Take a Sip
This is the most important step of beer tasting. Take a sip of the beer, then move it around your mouth to cover all parts of the tongue. Try to identify the different flavors that you can taste, such as sweetness, bitterness, sourness, saltiness, and umami. Notice the texture in your mouth, whether it’s light or heavy, smooth or rough.
Step 5: Evaluate the Beer
After tasting the beer, it’s time to evaluate it. Ask yourself the following questions: Did you like it? What flavors and aromas did you detect? Would you drink it again? Evaluating beer helps you to understand what you enjoy and what you don’t, and makes it easier to pick out beers that you’re likely to enjoy.
Step 6: Try New Beers
Lastly, the best way to train your palate and discover new flavors in beer is to try new beers. Attend beer tastings or visit a brewery to explore new beers from different regions, styles or brewing techniques. By trying new beers, you’ll expand your palate and discover new favorites.
In conclusion, beer tasting is a fun and exciting experience that anyone can enjoy. By following the six steps outlined in this beginner’s guide, you can train your palate and discover new flavors in beer. Choosing the right glass, inspecting the beer, smelling the beer, taking a sip, evaluating the beer, and trying new beers are all essential steps to become a beer tasting expert.
