Let us bring the craft beer tasting to you! We can help you organize a craft beer tasting event anywhere in Orange County. This event if perfect for any kind of friendly gatherings or corporate events. Its a fun way to learn more about craft beer while tasting some of the best on the market. Contact Us if you are interested in more details.
Craft beer is made to be enjoyed. Not chugged. Most craft beer has a higher alcohol percentage than the “other” beers. SO DRINK RESPONSIBLY.
When tasting craft beer, it is very helpful to know more about the style of beer you are drinking. Each style has its own history and its own story for how or why that style came to be. And for that reason, you have unique characteristics for each style. (American Ales, Belgian/French Ales, Lagers, English/Irish/Scottish Ales, Hybrids, and Specialty Ales)
1. The first thing you should notice is the color, clarity, head character, and retention.
2. Smell. Craft beer is loaded with aromas. Take a moment for a quick sniff before you taste it. If you can’t smell the aromas, you may need to let the beer warm up a little or give it a quick swirl in the glass to release some of the carbonation.
3. Sip. When you sip the beer, let the liquid rest on your tongue and warm up the bottom of your mouth. You should notice some basics such as sweetness or acidity. The bitterness from the hops will soon follow. Also take notice of the mouth-feel sensations such as the body, carbonation, astringency, and oiliness. How is the aftertaste? Is it quick or long? Can you taste the hops, malts, or roasted malts? Is the overall sensation smooth or harsh?
4. Taste again… with your nose. Sounds odd, but its easy to do. The trick is to get the aromas to volatilize up into the nasal cavity. The easiest way to achieve this technique is to slowly expel a little breath through your nose directly after you swallow the beer.
5. Overall impression. The last step is to put all of the information together and form a conclusion on how you feel about the beer.
Side Note: These are just the basic steps of tasting craft beer. Beer judges are trained to notice the slightest subtleties in the aroma, appearance, body/texture, and aftertaste. They also take note of the brewing details such as the ingredients, age, and alcohol/gravity.
Wine tasting and beer tasting are pretty similar. They are both fun, educational, and a great way to try a variety of styles. Try something you normally wouldn’t and keep in open mind about it. You might find something new you like.
Just like wine, you want to start with the lighter beer first and work your way to the darker beer. Hopefully the tasting glasses are not overflowing with beer. They should leave plenty of room for the aroma and foam to linger in the glass.
Its not really necessary to rinse your palate between beers as long as you are tasting similar styles. If you switch styles drastically, then it would be best to rinse you palate in order to fully appreciate the next beer style.