Before You Pour

      I usually don't go to the liquor store with anything in mind. I usually get there, get pulled in by creative beer packaging, and take my precious cargo home. When I get home I don't normally open my beer right away. Like wine tastings and other tastings it's important to do a few things before you enjoy your beer so that you can make the experience as enjoyable as possible. I usually observe my own rules however there is the odd time where I can't help myself and I dive right in. The temperature of the beer should be at least close to the suggested serving temperature. It doesn't hurt to find some information on the beer before you try it either. The last thing I do is to cleanse my flavour  palate. Once this has all been taken care of, by all means  pour that beer.

Temperature

Some General Serving Temperatures

           When I find a beer that I want to try at the liquor store, the first thing I do when I get home is put it in my fridge and leave it there for at least a few hours. This may seem like it's not that important however when you purchase a beer at the store it's usually in one of two places. It could be in the beer fridge, or it could be on the shelf, in either case you have no way of knowing what temperature the beer is at. On most cans of beer, they usually suggest a serving temperature. The brewers may just state to serve chilled, or they may give a suggested temperature. The brewer has suggested the serving temperature so that you the consumer can consume the beer at the temperature that they feel best represents the flavours and aromas that the beer has to offer. 

       How warm or cold a beer is can greatly change the characteristics of beer. In general a cold beer will have less flavours that you will be able to detect. A cold beer will also have diminished aroma and less carbonation. Some companies are trying to produce beer that can be served as cold as possible in an attempt to gain a competitive advantage however in doing so you usually can't taste the beer as much. Instead of taste and aroma you get cold, fizzy beer that goes down easy. In contrast, that same beer served warm will have more flavour, maybe even too much flavour. A beer served warmer will also seem to be more carbonated because the carbon dioxide can escape a warmer beer much faster than a cold one. I've heard it from some people that they either enjoy or hate a beer depending on the temperature it's served at.

       In general there is no ideal temperature for all beer. European, especially English style beers are served warmer than most, usually around 12-14 degrees Celsius. Most beers are best served around 4-10 degrees. Most domestic brewers, Labatt's, Molson, Miller, etc.  prefer their beer to be served as close to freezing as possible. There are some exceptions  to cold beer however some breweries suggest drinking your beer warm, meaning either room temperature (21 degrees) or slightly cooler. How you choose to drink your beer is up to you, however if its the first time that you are trying a beer, try it at the temperature that they suggest.

Doing Your Homework


         It doesn't hurt to go through the internet and see what comes up. Be careful about this though because other people's reviews and opinions will come and it's easy to become biased from others' reviews. Try to keep an open mind through the whole process. It doesn't hurt to learn about a beer, where it was made, the story behind its creation. Many breweries may suggest where you can find it on tap. This part is unnecessary  to enjoying a beer however I feel that it can give you more perspective and greater appreciation for the beer your about to consume.


Cleansing Your Palate


      If you plan on drinking a beer it's a good idea to cleanse your palate before you do so. your palate, sometimes called a flavour palate is your tongues ability to recognize or be stimulated by flavours and textures. If you've just finished a big juicy cheeseburger, the beer probably won't taste the same as it would because your tongue's tastebuds are used to being stimulated by cheeseburger flavours. So in order to get a good sense of what a beer tastes like it's a good idea to cleanse a palate.


      If you've already eaten a meal give your palate some time to relax a little. Don't eat anything for a bit. The best thing to do is to drink water. Water will rinse all of the little pieces of food and any flavours out of your mouth giving you a clearer picture of what your tasting. Don't brush your teeth before you drink beer. It's just not a good idea. It will completely mess up how you taste your beer. If you want something to eat in-between beers make it simple foods like breads, crackers, or maybe some garden greens. This isn't to say that beer and food shouldn't be mixed, beer like wine can be paired with foods. It's a good idea before you enjoy a beer with food to try the beer by itself.

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