All About Beer
Tasting Guidelines
Beer is one of the world’s oldest alcoholic beverages and is closely linked to the beginnings of civilization. It’s development was closely linked to the cultivation of grain, in particular barley and wheat. The making of beer soon became and intergral part of Egyptian society and was a staple of their diet. The flavours that first attracted the peoples of antiquity are still common in today’s styles. The key elements to tasting beer are as follows:
Appearance: Colours will range from straw to golde nbrown to black depending mainly on the degree to which the barley is roasted. Beers may also appear clear or cloudy or opaque.
Aroma: Sweetness comes with the malted barley while flowering or bitter smells depend upon the amount and type of hops.
Taste: This is a very subjective experience–common terms to describe taste are crisp, fresh, sweet, malty, nutty, fruity, bitter, roasty, flowery, hoppy and on and on…
Body: This relates to the ‘mouth feel’ or density of a beer. Some people like a light tasting product while other gravitate towards a full-bodied, heavier taste.
N.B. In the last analysis it’s all about balance and personal preferences.