7 steps to enjoying the perfect pint.
- Use clean glassware. (What kind? See DRAFT’s Glassware Guide, here.) Glasses should be free of soap, lipstick, food oils, and anything else that may taint a beer’s flavor. If you’re served a dirty glass, speak up: A good bartender will happily provide a fresh pour.
- Make sure your glass (and your beer!) isn’t too cold. Always decline a frosted or chilled glass; the frozen bits and condensation will water down your beer. And a good brew should be chilled to between 42 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit—colder than that, and beer’s flavors become masked.
- Pour your beer properly, or ensure your bartender does. (Click here to learn the art of the pour.)
- Ogle the big, beautiful beer in front of you. What color is it? Is the liquid shiny and clear, or opaque and freckled with sediment? Is the head big, small, puffy or flat? Your note-taking should begin here if you’re reviewing a beer; even if you’re not, mentally noting a beer’s visual aesthetics allows you to learn to distinguish beer styles just by looking.
- Swirling and sniffing’s not just for wine lovers; agitating beer in your glass releases aromatic nuances and rouses a beer’s carbonation. Take a few quick sniffs of the aroma—mimic a dog’s sniffing, which keeps the smell in the nose longer, rather than breathing in a big whiff. A beer’s bouquet is a good precursor to the taste; see if your expectations are met in the flavor.
- Finally, take a sip—but not too quickly! Swirl a medium-sized swallow around in your mouth for a moment; notice the beer’s mouthfeel, bitterness, sweetness, alcohol level and any flavors (coffee, coriander) or taste qualities (tart, acidic). Observe how the flavor transitions from the tip of the tongue, through the middle of the mouth, and down your throat. Watch for aftertastes, too.
- Tell a friend! You don’t need to nerdily jot down notes in a journal for every beer you taste (but you can). But making clear notes—on paper, or just in your head—will help you clarify what you taste and smell, and make it easier to share your tasting with others (like on DRAFTmag.com’s reviews).
On #3, your link to the “art of the pour” does not have a hypterlink. It sounds like it would be a good video/article to watch/read!
[…] HOWTODRINKBEER by Draft Magazine.com […]
This is the most ridiculous article I have ever seen. How do you leave out the most important step?
-Turn the can sideways. Using a knife, carefully cut a hole in the side of the can, close to the bottom. Pop the top, and chug from the cut in the can.
[…] beer froth mustache. […]
You forgot to mention number 8…
Then smash down as many as humanly possible before one does something rather strange. Then repeat! haha
http://vodkabunker.wordpress.com/
There is a time for a quick look at a beer then pound the beer down the gullet like others would agree,but then there are times of savoring even a true Snob knows this,know ones answer is right or wrong.:)
Not quite. That first mouthful is a palate cleanser. The second is where you pay attention to flavors, mouthfeel, etc..
[…] Original Article: DraftMag […]
Your answer was just what I neeedd. It’s made my day!