Why not perk up your picnic or party this summer with an interactive beer tasting. A great way to entertain your guests while learning a little more about the world of beer. Chris Clark from Dorset-based Wriggle Valley Brewery explains how it’s done…
Keep it simple
Make up a little form for each person with the beer name. Add some simple tick boxes for a quick ‘like’ or ‘dislike’ review, and space for them to describe the flavour profiles and characteristics. Using the description on the back of the bottles, categorise the beer your guests bring along so you can do a direct comparison between your beers. Keep some basic notes as if there are quite a few beers to sample it’s easy to lose track.
Choose a theme
Within your theme, ask each person to bring an example of a light or pale ale, a tawny (medium) and a black stout-style beer. Suggest they not only bring their own favourite, but to look for something new or different as the aim is to try something they may never have had before; who knows, they might surprise themselves with a new favourite.
Some may want to taste blind, but it’s also nice to be able to see the label. Very often the labels can be part of the overall experience as many of them can be unusual. Some of these unusual labels might even be indicative of some more unusual ingredients, but you can always read the labels and compare ingredients after you have tasted.
Prepare your glassware
Stay away from plastic cups, it might be more convenient, but you won’t get the full experience this way, so do it properly! Suggest people find an example of a craft beer glass, there are lots of styles and shapes to choose from and these can change the way you see and taste your beer. For example, a bowl-shaped glass will hold the aroma in the top of the beer.
Your glass choice can change the appearance, aroma and perception of how it tastes; whether it’s a pilsner style, bowl shape or tankard, find something different to complete the experience.
Serving
Temperature is absolutely key for serving your beers. Lagers and pilsners are best served very cold, the same with American IPA-style beers. British beers, bitters and stouts are best served cool, but not cold. Imagine that a beer cellar would be kept at around 12C, so to replicate this, try putting the bottles in the fridge just 15 to 30 minutes before you serve (depending on how many you have) or pop them in a bucket of cold water, which could be easier if you’re outside.
Tilt the glass to 45 degrees and pour the beer gently down the side of the glass to avoid lots of foam, especially with gassy beers. Don’t completely up-end the bottle; this also important for bottle-conditioned beers as there may be yeast and sediment in the bottom of the bottle which can create a cloudier finish. On the continent they like to do the opposite as they feel that the yeast adds different elements to the flavour. However, we Brits typically tend to prefer a clearer finished beer.
Rank the beer
Get your friends to score 1 to 5 on appearance, aroma and mouth feel (the way it feels in your mouth as you’re drinking it; i.e., is it smooth or dry etc.). A smooth mouth feel usually relates to fuller-bodied and slightly sweeter styles of beer, whereas the dryer mouth feel would usually relate to hoppier and more bitter flavoured beers. Total up the scores to find out the favourite in each category and if you like, even announce an overall winner.
TOP TIP: Don’t forget ambient aromas; for example, BBQ cooking smells will heavily affect the way you taste the beer. If you’re cooking or eating something spicy or strong in flavour it will also change the way you taste the beer.
www.wrigglevalleybrewery.co.uk/