The Taste
Now that’s settled, put a little in your mouth and swish it gently. Respect the carbonation or it may come out your nose – not a recommended part of the tasting process! Notice the flavors from the aromas. Is it citrusy and peachy? Does it have spicy aromas like nutmeg or cinnamon? Can you distinguish bigger or bolder flavors, like coffee, chocolate, or anise? How does it feel in the mouth? Is it full and rich in texture as well as flavor? Or is it light and delicate on the palate?
Now pay attention to the finish. Does it linger? Is it a ‘good’ linger or is it unpleasant? Does it fall flat on the finish, kind of a ‘there and gone again’ sensation? Or does the flavor of the beer linger, so that you continue to savor the flavors long after you’ve swallowed?
Different styles of beer have completely different finishes. A light and citrusy summer beer has a very short finish, but can be perfect for drinking outside or at the lake. A bigger, bolder stout or porter would be a complete disappointment if it didn’t have a longer, more complex finish. Imagine that you eat a bold and spicy Thai dish, and after that you try a delicate sushi or seafood dish. The seafood is going to fall flat because your palate has been overwhelmed by bigger and bolder foods. This difference in style and structure is one of the many reasons for tasting from lightest to darkest.
The Food
Beer and food pairings can be as simple or complex as you wish to make them. If your party is an informal gathering, the food should match the informal atmosphere. There’s a reason beer and brats are so popular – they taste great together! The same goes for BBQ, burgers, and grilled meats of all kinds.
If you’ve rented glassware for your event, or hired an expert to guide your guests through the tasting, try some more sophisticated pairings. Get a couple of pre-fab boutique cheese platters, or try putting one together yourself. Pick up five or six different cheeses at your local AJ’s or Sportsman’s Fine Wines, and add some olives, cornichons or fancy dill pickles, and some red grapes for color. Offer a variety of cheeses ranging from soft (Brie or St. Andre), to medium flavor and firmness (Manchego or Chaubier), a well-aged Gouda, and for the adventurous, a pungent blue (Maytag Bleu or Gorgonzola). Slice the firm cheeses and put a butter knife in the soft cheese, garnish with your pickled accompaniments, and voila! Encourage your guests to experiment with cheese and beer pairings. If you’re creative, make up a rating sheet and award a mixed six-pack of beer to the guest who predicts the most popular pairings of the evening.
The Extras
Water: It’s important to provide your guests with plenty of water. The beer and food will make your guests thirsty, not to mention that water is a great palate cleanser between beer styles and food pairings.
Dump buckets: To keep your guests from abandoning the glasses of beer they don’t enjoy, provide buckets for dumping.
Post-tasting libations: Now that you and your guests have experienced some new brews, provide some selections for sipping after the tasting is over.
Designated driver: Nothing will leave a bad taste in your mouth like an alcohol-related incident. Encourage your guests to use good judgment, and enjoy the evening responsibly.
About Kimber Stonehouse
