Most crowd think that tasting craft beer is a hobby for bars or beer festivals. In reality, the superior experience can happen on your own kitchen table if you follow a few simple rules. Start by keeping the temperature steady at 45\u202f\u00b0F (7\u202f\u00b0C) for lagers and 55\u202f\u00b0F (13\u202f\u00b0C) for ales; that single difference can turn a good beer into a top-notch one.<\/p>\n
Many novices pour too much beer into the glass, creating a muddled relish. Aim for a 5\u2011oz pour, which gives enough liquid to swirl without overwhelming the palate. Another pitfall is tasting in a fluorescent kitchen light; switch to warm LED bulbs to preserve the beer\u2019s true colour.<\/p>\n
Invite a friend, play a quiet playlist, and set a timer for 10 minutes per beer. Jot down down your impressions on a notepad; after the session, compare notes as well as behold if you can guess the label. If you\u2019re stuck, a quick Google search will often reveal the brewer\u2019s style manual.<\/p>\n
You don\u2019t need a fancy bar shopping bag. A set of 5\u2011oz glasses, a thermometer, a little bottle opener, and a tasting sheet are enough.<\/p>\n
If you have a draft system, use it only for beers that call for it; most bottled craft beers are fine in a standard glass. Label each glass with a number so you can track notes later.<\/p>\n