How To Taste Beer

Just like it's snobby upperclass cousin wine, there is a correct way to taste and evaluate beer. Just follow these 3 steps.


1 Appearence. Is it suppose to be hazy or cloudy? Perhaps so in a complex hoppy styled craft beer, Or A wheat beer when yeast clouds the glass of amber, But if its hazy or has thrown a sediment and you know that’s not suppose to be there then something may be amiss. It may be old or abused beer.

2 Smell. Keep in mind there are hundreds of styles of beer. Most are not suppose to be winey or sherry like; that’s a sign of oxidation. In other words old beer. Some strong beers are enhanced by a sherry-like character. But if your pilsener is winey, you just spent money on a loser. Does it smell like wet paper or cardboard? Yes, that’s a typical aroma of stale, oxidized, old and abused beer. Loser (and often on “clearance sale”). Butterscotch or sweet corn aroma is desired by some beer drinkers, but to most it is a character accepted without the knowledge that it is actually a fermentation flaw, indicating lack of quality control.

3 Taste. Unless the beer is a style of ale that specializes in wild or eccentric fermentation, sourness is not a good thing. If your pilsener, Oktoberfest or pale ale tastes sour – it’s a beer that has a bacterial contamination that has traveled south. No health alarms here. It’s usually lactobacillus or other bacteria related yogurt, But it doesn’t belong in most types of beer. Return it and get your money back. It may even come from a dirty tap line in a bar. Shame on the publican. The same characters you may have sensed in the aroma usually manifest themselves in the taste. Sweet, malty, bitter, fruity, hoppy, light, medium, full mouthfeel? You may or may not appreciate the levels of intensity or subtleness, but that is what the brewer intended. Take note. Either become a loyal fan of the beer, knowing what character you appreciate or switch to another with the balance you seek.

Finaly read the tasting notes, Just type in the beer brand with the phrase tasting notes into google and read what others have said. Then you will know what to expect.

Follow these steps and you will learn to appreciate your favorite brew, and spot a rougue bad example before you waste your money.