Tasting

It’s so much more than a sip or a gulp. Tasting unlocks clues about each beer—its ingredients or even how it was brewed. To get started, all we have to do is use our senses and ask a few questions.

Appearance

Hold your glass up to the light and take a good look.

Questions to ask:

• What color is it?
  A beer's color will give you clues about its ingredients, for instance, what varieties of malt were used and if fruit was added.

• How clear is it?
  Clarity can tell you how it was brewed and if the beer is filtered, unfiltered or carbonated.

• Does it have a foamy head?
  The amount of foam can give you clues about a beer's ingredients and carbonation level.

Aroma

Swirling beer releases its aromas, so give your glass a good swirl and get your nose in there. Start by taking short, quick sniffs. (A long sniff may overwhelm your senses.) Then try to determine which ingredient is causing those aromas you're picking up.

Questions to ask:

• Is it fruity or spicy?

• Does it have a piney, herbal, citrusy or flowery (floral?) smell?

• Does it have a sweet, malty, caramel, chocolate or coffee scent?

Taste

And now the sip. Let the beer swirl gently over your tongue, from the front, down the sides, and then to the back.

Questions to ask:

• What’s the first flavor I taste?

• Is it bitter or sweet?

Take another sip and try to pinpoint subtle differences and flavors like clove, banana, caramel and chocolate. Can you name them?

Mouthfeel

The way a beer feels in your mouth is an important part of the experience. A helpful way to think about the difference is whole milk vs. skim milk. Notice the difference of how they feel in your mouth, and then apply that knowledge to beer.

Swish the beer around in your mouth, swirling it over and under your tongue.

Questions to ask:

• Is the texture thick or thin?

• Is it fizzy (prickly?) or chewy(flat?)?

Finish

The flavors don’t stop even after you swallow. After you do, you’ll naturally breathe out of your nose, releasing even more flavor.

These are the notes and textures that hang around after you swallow the beer.

Ask yourself:

• Is there lingering bitterness or sweetness?

Now that you’re ready to take on tasting, find what you love and explore more flavor with all your senses.