OK. Your beer's been properly stored and served. Now, to help it taste its best, follow these easy steps.
1) Use a clean, clear glass
Brewers carefully blend special malts to create just the right color in their beer. A clear glass won't hide the yeasty haze of a Hefeweizen, or alter the bright appearance of Broken Rake Amber Ale. Whatever glass you choose, make sure that it is totally clean: dishwasher detergents and hand-washing soap can leave residue that, although imperceptible to the taster, will ruin a beer's otherwise-foamy head. We recommend washing your favorite glass thoroughly with hot water alone, or at least rinsing it repeatedly with such after a standard washing.
2) Your Nose Knows
We won't be pompous enough to say beer has a "bouquet" like wine, but it clearly has an aroma. One which the brewer has worked diligently to impart. Both malts and hops affect a beer's aroma, with the latter frequently being chosen solely for their aromatic qualities. A beer can smell "malty" - sweet, in a grainy kind of way - or, more specifically, "toasty" or "chocolatey" or even "burnt" (those roasted malts!). Hops can impart floral, spicy, or "citrus" aromas (American varieties are famous for their lemony-grapefruity character). After a while, you can become familiar with the aromas of specific hop types: to learn about the Northwest's Columbus hops, for example, start sniffing Pyramid India Pale Ale. Overall, it pays to take time to appreciate a beer's aroma. Leave enough room at the top of your glass so you can gently swirl the brew to release its fragrances. Try this complex sampling procedure: Swirl, Sniff, Swallow... repeat!
3) Don't Waste Tastebuds
Instead of just gulping down a beer, consider how it tastes in your mouth. How it feels on your tongue. It may be sweet at first, then bitter and dry as you swallow. Or perhaps it is mouth-coatingly rich, with flavors that remind you of toffee and "fresh-baked bread." Sun Fest may be refreshingly crisp and clean, while a stout - with all its licorice, coffee, and chocolate notes - only can be described as a "complex." The key to all craft-brewed beer is flavor, so always try to think about the way your chosen brew tastes. Your tongue will thank you.
4) Think About The Beer's Finish...
... not just finishing the beer! After each swallow, examine the brew's lasting flavors and qualities. Does a hoppy india pale ale linger longer than a clean, soft wheat beer? Does a malty brown ale seem sweeter going down than a dry stout? "Aftertaste" is something to be desired in a good beer. It provides a final impression of the brew's qualities and, possibly, its overall quality.
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