Beer Geek Secrets Unveiled - Stuff You Should Know

For those who are not keen about beer stuff, they would usually comment that glassware for beer is pure marketing hype. They would dismiss it right away to mean nothing but the work of marketing guys to sensationalize the use of customized glass for a particular beer.

One should however look beyond this perception and try to see what actually happens when your pour out beer to a glass. One should be able to observe how your senses will become more heightened with the sight of beer hitting the glass - seeing the color and smelling the aroma of your drink. Such would prepare your senses for better things to come - and that is when you actually drink your beer.

The shape of glassware will have an effect on head development and its retention. The foam on top of your glass will serve as a net for the volatiles of your drink. The said volatiles provide for the aroma of beer - and keeping this for longer periods of time will make your drinking experience ever more complete.

One should understand however that different types of beers will require different levels of foam or head retention. Such being the case, would result to the different glassware types to cater to each one. You would be surprised to find out that some breweries have been found out to engineer their own glass for their beer.

If you are also observant enough, a good bar will stock unique glassware so that they will have the appropriate one depending on the type of beer ordered by their customers. Such glassware include goblet, pilsner glass, tulip glass, snifter, flute glass and many more.

For an idea on the difference of each glassware, here are some tips:

Goblet - The shape for this glass ranges from being long stemmed to one that forms like a chalice. This is specifically designed to maintain head. The chalice types are for deep sips. This is ideal for Tripel, Belgian Strong Dark Ale, Dubbel and Quadrupel.

Pilsner glass - This glass promotes head retention and enhances volatiles. It captures the colors and carbonation of your beer. This may be used for American Double Pilsner, American Macro Lager, Euro Pale Lager, Light Lager and Witbier.

Tulip glass - This type of glass supports those beers with large foamy heads. Being of tulip shape, this stemmed glass is so designed to capture the head. This may be used for Belgian Strong Pale Ale, Flanders Red Ale, American Wild Ale and many more.

Snifter glass - This type of glass allows the beer room to swirl. It effectively captures volatiles. This is ideal for American Barley Wine, Belgian Dark Ale, Fruit Melomel, Belgian Strong Dark Ale and etc.

Flute glass - This is ideal for showcasing carbonation due to its long and narrow body. One will surely appreciate seeing the lively carbonation and sparkling color as it travels upwards out of the glass. This may be used for American Wild Ale, Euro Strong Lager, Bock, Flanders Red Ale and Munich Helles Lager.

Beer Pouring Secrets - While there is an appropriate glassware for every type of beer, there is also a right way to pour your favorite beer. One should always use a clean glass - one that does not have traces of dirt, oils or even residues of a previous beer. If your glass has contaminations, it may affect head creation and will distort the true taste of your beer.

Step # 1

Get your glass and hold it at 45 degree angle. Then pour your beer aiming at the middle of the slope of your glass.

Step # 2

When you are halfway, position the glass at 90 degree angle while continuing to pour into the middle. This will result to a good head - which is a good thing. You can opt to widen the distance between the bottle of beer and the glass to get a better head - one that is 1 inch to 1.5 inches.

Bottle-conditioned beers may have to be poured differently and carefully so as not to disturb the yeast sediments at the bottom. Not unless it is your personal preference to have a yeasty drink.

Some Common Beer Pouring Errors - And some cheap shots in bars:

Under-pour - This is a cheap tactic by bar owners who want to let their staff drop some ounces of beer and compensate it with foam - usually overflowing to create the impression that a full beer is served.

Over-pour - This is common for bartenders to pour hard and let the beer foam up and spill over. This will be a good way to waste a lot of your valuable beer. Imagine the value lost because of such a poor pour.

Beer Tasting Secrets - Evaluating Your Beer Right

Tasting is not the same with drinking beer - this is what beer geeks know. Tasting requires one to really engage himself with the experience brought about by the beer to your senses.

Step # 1 - Get a beer in good condition.

When doing taste test, never settle for anything less than a beer in prime condition. In this way, you will not compromise your evaluation and be able to rate it right. Each beer deserves a good evaluation - one that is true to what it really is about.

Step # 2 - Locate yourself in an ideal environment.

Do your taste test in an environment which is odor-free - especially that of a smoke. This will ensure you get the true aroma of your beer. And as a beer geek would confess, appreciating the beer's aroma would affect how the taste of the drink will appeal to you.

Choose a place where lighting is good. A well-lit area will do well in evaluating the color of your beer and appreciating the carbonation.

Step # 3 - Keep your senses fresh.

When you are planning to do more than one beer taste test, keep water handy. You will need it to clean your palate after each tasting. You should also avoid spicy foods prior any tasting session as this may ruin how you accurately evaluate the beer under scrutiny.

Step # 4 - The right cool for tasting your beer.

Although some would really like their beer cold - this is not advisable especially in tasting beer. A very cool beer will affect how it will taste in your mouth. Get it only at right temperatures to fully appreciate its true flavor.