The main reason I set up this blog is to catalog and review the beers I plan on drinking.  I know what I think about a beer when I am drinking it but I didn’t really know how to express these tastes and feelings into words that others can relate to.  So I have done my journalistic duty and have researched the topic quite extensively.  My main resource has been beer advocate’s website.  They have a great Beer101 section that can teach you everything you need to know to respect the beer you are drinking.

First off, the general consensus of what you should be thinking about when you review a beer are as follows:

• Appearance
• Smell
• Taste
• Mouthfeel
• Overall

 

Appearance

I will be looking at how the beer looks once it has been poured.  What is the head retention like?  What color is the beer?  What is my impression of the beer when I look at it?  How alive does it look?

 

Smell

Before diving into the beer, get in close for a good strong smell of the beer.   Your sense of taste is directly tied to your sense of smell.  When you smell the beer, what comes to mind?  Are there any aromas that stand out to you?  Get used to the vocabulary you will be using for reviewing beer.  You can find a good list from beer advocate here.

 

Taste

Now you can take a sip of the beer.  What comes to mind?  Does anything jump out to you?  Does the flavor profile change at all?  Its okay if this section of the review is very similar to the smell section.  Does the beer taste like everything fits together?

 

Mouthfeel

Take another sip of the beer and this time pay attention to what you are feeling on your tongue.  Don’t be afraid to describe what you are feeling because you think is sounds silly.  Remember, its your review, so just write what you feel.

 

Overall

As you drink your beer, write down your overall impression of the beer.  How do all of the items you noted from the other review sections come together to form a complete picture of the beer?

 

Other things I will be doing

When I review a beer for this site, here are a few things I will be trying to follow.  I will go into each review with an unbiased opinion of the beer.  I won’t be looking up what other people are saying about the beer.  I want this to be my review of the beer.  I will not review beers if I am intoxicated.  I’ll do my best to use the appropriate glassware for the brew style and drink it at the appropriate temperature.  I don’t have a great selection of glassware, but I have enough to cater to most beer styles.

Remember to take notes when you are tasting beer.  It will help you in the long run.  You will get better and communicating what you are tasting.  If you are drinking a beer with friends, talk about it with them.  If you do this as you continue drinking different beers, you will learn more about the craft and gain a deeper appreciation for the work that brewers do.