We were at Craft Cafe, 8600 Dorchester Road in North Charleston for Second Friday Beer Club. They have an appetizing selection of 15 or so craft beers on tap. You can buy a sampler of four or eight 5 oz. pours or a pint if you wish. They do growler fills as well. They also have a diverse selection in bottles and cans including ciders. For non beer drinkers, they offer wine as an option. The food is good too. There are tables outside in case you bring your dog but they aren't allowed inside. Children are welcome but be sure to bring something to entertain them.
This blog is about tasting beer. How will you know what you like if you don't sample a few? Maybe you could go to Craft Cafe, The Beer Exchange or Total Wine and select 5 to 8 beers. There is always someone there who can help you make good choices. I love to look at the labels because I enjoy the art work. I have to admit that I will buy a beer just for that reason.
Invite a few friends over. If you have some bulbous wine glasses, use them. They will enhance the aroma and flavor of the beer. Make sure they're clean with no residue. Soap can really kill the foam and make your beer taste bitter. You don't need a special glass for each beer at this time.( I have two cupboards full of different types of glasses as well as some nice steins. It can be a habit forming collection).You can offer a pitcher of water to rinse the glass. You can offer crackers or pretzels for palate cleansing between tastings. Temperature plays a huge part in the flavor of the beer so again, ask your beer guru.
It's fun to print out a beer tasting chart for each guest. You can search the web or go to:
http://www.brewersfriend.com/beer-tasting-sheet-party-printout/
The first time I filled out a tasting chart, I had to look at everybody elses to see what they were writing. I kept hoping I wouldn't be called on to give my opinion. Every taster may have a totally different opinion on the beer. I frequently passed my beer on to somebody who seemed to be enjoying it more than me. Especially the IPAs which I'm now learning to like. So no pressure. Just enjoy!
The web is also a good place to figure out how a type of beer should look or taste. There is a ton of information out there!
When you pour your beer, pour it at an angle down the side of your glass to keep the beer from foaming up too much and then you can gradually straighten your glass so you have some foam (the Head) on top. Don't fill the glass. An inch or so in the glass is enough and no more than half is a perfect fill for your tasting. Some beers don't have much foam so don't worry. Some beers have too much foam so they will need to settle for a bit.
Hold the glass up to the light and notice the color. Is it clear or cloudy? Is it golden or amber or caramel colored? What color should this style of beer be? How carbonated is the beer? If you are drinking a beer that is carbonated in the bottle, you might have some residue in the bottom of the bottle. Try not to pour it in your glass but if you do, it won't hurt you. This has happened with some home brews I've made.
When you've made note of the color, swirl the beer in your glass. This will release the scent of the beer. Take a good sniff. Take several. As with wine tasting, this is called The Nose. Simply put, it's the smell of your drink. Does it smell fruity or spicy? Maybe you can pick up aromas of caramel or chocolate. Biscuits? Hmmm. Don't feel stupid.There is no wrong answer. It is your thoughts on your beer.
Now taste the beer. Let the beer flow around on your tongue. Let a little air into your mouth and really taste it. Is it dry? Is it malty? Can you taste banana, orange, grapefruit, chocolate, coffee...? Is it smooth, rich, creamy, acidic, sour, bitter...? Depending on the kind of beer you are drinking, you will note specific traits for that style. And finally swallow the beer. Is the finish long and lingering on your palate or does it have a short finish and what is the aftertaste? The point of all of this is to really enjoy the beer. I remember doing a tasting with my sister and we laughed at ourselves and each other as we attempted to figure each beer out. And a last note. We all have different tastes. That is why there are so many different beers being brewed. You are not wrong if you dislike a beer that has a lot of hoppy flavor. You are not wrong if you enjoy a wheat beer. One thing I know is by consistently tasting new beer, I have found myself more adventurous in my choices. So try it! You may be surprised.
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