In recent years, the expansion of craft beer has transformed it into a product to be savored rather than simply consumed. With countless styles and colors, beer should be enjoyed following a specific process to fully appreciate its complexity.

Beer

First, choose your beer based on your preferences and the time of day. Light beers such as wheat beers, Pilsners, or American Pale Ales are ideal for aperitifs, while beers with more alcohol and character, such as Stouts, Quadrupels, or Tripels, are better suited for dessert or as a digestif.

Temperature

Once you've selected your beer, ensure it is at the optimal temperature to release its full aroma and flavour. Thirst-quenching lagers like Tsingtao, Corona, or Vedett Extra Blond should be served at around 5 to 6°C. Add 1 to 2°C for fuller-bodied lagers such as Tripel Karmeliet or Anosteké Blonde. Amber beers are best at 8°C, brown beers at 9°C, and dark beers such as Stouts or Imperial Stouts at 10 to 15°C depending on your taste.

The glass

With your beer at the right temperature, select a glass suited to its style. For highly carbonated beers with a large head, opt for a tall, slender glass like a white wine glass. For complex, syrupy beers, use a wider glass such as a red wine glass to allow the aromas to fully develop.

Tasting

It’s time to open your beer. Listen for the satisfying fizz as you remove the cap. Rinse your glass with cold water and dry only the outside—this avoids thermal shock and removes any residue. Pour the beer down the side of the glass to control the foam. Observe the colour and head before taking in the aromas.

With practice, you’ll begin to distinguish various aromas—floral, fruity, woody, spicy, hoppy, or malty. Beer boasts a rich aromatic palette that carries through to the palate. Take a generous sip and begin the tasting game of identifying all the complex flavours in your glass.

It’s your turn!

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