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HOSTING A BEER TASTING
A beer tasting evening is an easy way for you start on your discovery of beer. A few simple steps will get you started.
Pick a date and invite your friends (seven to nine is ideal).
Visit our Brand Search section to view over 350 brands available for your tasting pleasure.
How much do you actually need to buy? A simple rule is to pour three ounce samples for your guests. This means you will get four samples for each bottle and therefore you will need three bottles for each style, leaving you with some to enjoy after the tasting.
Head to your local party supply store and purchase the clear five ounce tasting cups as they are easily disposable and result in very little clean up. You will need a clear cup so that you can properly appreciate the great colours in all of your beers.
Before your guests arrive, try to find some background information on each brand such as brewing history, brewer's tasting notes and where it's actually brewed.
Water is critically important for your tasting - it will help to cleanse the palate in between samples and it will also lessen the effects of alcohol.
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THE ACTUAL TASTING
Take the beer out of the refrigerator at least 20 minutes prior to tasting. If the beer is too cold, you won't be able to appreciate the flavours and aromas of the beer. Also, try to break the tasting into two distinct sessions - this will give a little break for your guests and will also help them to regain their sensory abilities.
You may also want to have some paper and pens handy if your guests are interested in writing down their observations. Give them the following four headings:
- Appearance
- Aroma
- Flavour / Body
- Aftertaste
When you pour the beer, follow these important steps:
- Pour directly into the bottom of the cup
- Pour to about half
- Try to ensure there is foam
TASTING STEPS
- Look at the beer and observe its colour.
Colour will give good indication of what kind of malts have been used and some of the flavours and aromas you should expect. Describe the colour – pale/light golden/ golden/ amber/ reddish/ brown/ black etc.
- Smell the beer!
The secret here is to get your nose to the back of the glass or cup. This will bring out all the aromas. If you are having trouble with aromas, swirl the beer a little to generate some foam and try again. Start to think about what kind of aromas you are picking up. Is it fruity? Is it flowery? Is it grassy or hay? Is it caramel or butterscotch? Is it chocolate or coffee?
- Taste the beer!
The first sip should be a slow process - allow it to rest on your tongue and envelop your mouth. Once you've swallowed, think about what flavours you found and how did it feel in your mouth. Was it clean with very little aftertaste or did it coat your mouth? Was the bitterness there at the start and then disappeared at the end or was it there throughout the tasting?
- Take a second taste.
The first sip did a good job of preparing your mouth but the second sip should alloy you to notice some softer, more intricate flavours.
- Share your thoughts and comments with your guests and ask them for their thoughts.
This is the important part. We all have different palates and our experiences may be similar but never identical.
- At this point, try not to indicate whether you actually liked the beer. Remember that favouring a particular brand is purely personal and subjective.
Follow this for every beer.
For something a little different - try adding some cheeses to the event. This is more of an opportunity to explore the world of beer and cheese together. Get a broad range of cheeses including some sharp cheeses.
Finally, book another night! With over 350 brands to choose from, the possibilities are endless and could be accomplished in 33 separate tastings. If you did one a month, it would take you three years of bliss to have traveled the world of beer at The Beer Store.
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