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Beer isn’t all chuggable macro lager anymore. The craft beer movement has brought a previously unheard of number of new styles and tastes to the everyday beer drinker, and it’s useful to know how to find and appreciate those tastes. That’s not to say you should sit down, swirl, sniff, and slurp every beer like it’s a glass of fine wine, but some beers are worth some extra time.
[NickF]
No one knows this better than members of the Beer Judge Certification Program, or BJCP. The BJCP is a non-profit organization that certifies beer judges. It was started in 1985 and now has more than 3,000 judges who sanction beer events across the country. These people know their beer. They also know how to appreciate their beer, and it all starts with an easy method of evaluation.
THE PERFECT POUR
Pour the beer into a clean glass. Any glass will do, but a tulip glass is best. If there’s a lot of carbonation, tilt the glass to make sure the head of the beer isn’t too large. If there’s low carbonation, pour the beer straight into the center of the glass to agitate the beer enough to give it a head of foam.
STICK YOUR NOSE IN IT
Swirl the beer around in the glass and put your nose right in there. Inhale several times. Warm it up in your hands to release more aromas if you need to by cupping the part of the cup where the liquid is. If you’re still having trouble, put your palm over the top of the glass and swirl for a few seconds, trapping the aromas in the glass. Then smell.
CHECK IT OUT
Hold your glass up to a light and tilt it a little. Check out the color, whether it’s clear or hazy, and how much of a head stays on the top of the beer. You can expect different looks for different styles, and the only way to know them all is to practice (drink).
BACK TO THE SMELLS
Swirl it up again and stick your nose back in it. The beer will be more agitated and warmer after the first three steps. Note the differences from the first smell.
TASTE
Finally it’s time to take a sip. Take in just enough to coat your mouth. Let it hit your lips, gums, teeth, and all around your tongue. When you swallow that sip, keep your mouth closed and exhale through your nose. Take note of the initial flavors you notice, the intermediate flavors, and the aftertaste.
TASTE, AGAIN
Take one more sip, this time focusing on the weight of the beer. Compare it to other beers of the same style you’ve had before.
ENJOY
This is where you take it all in at once. As the BJCP writes in their procedure process: “Relax. Take a deep breath. Smell the beer again, and taste it again. Pause to consider where the beer belongs in the overall range of scores … and where similar beers are ranked within the judging flight.”