A cancer support group is having a craft beer tasting. I have been to wine tasting events, and can hold my own with merlots, pinot grigios, nose, body, legs, etc. I drink beer, but do not consider myself a connoisseur.
So, what can I expect? Any gaffes I can avoid? Should I expect to be pretty buzzed at the conclusion of the event?
You should expect to drink some pretty good beer…there are a number of brewers in your vicinity who get good reviews, I think there’s a brewpub in Titusville that was rated very well by some beer critic on PCN. (Have had a few myself and the memory will not oblige presently).
Since you didn’t state where the brews are from, rest assured that most craft brewers produce lovely stuff, with my only gripe being seldom do they attempt a straight pils or ale but rather make multi ingredient excessively hopped beers with adjuncts that tend to hide the foundational aspects.
Yea verily expect a buzz should you enjoy the tasting or lack self control. Often the sample glasses are 6-8oz. and the product is not 3.2, so several will sneak up. A good meal prior to attendance helps.
Gaffes? Dunno. You seem to handle being here well enough, so be yourself. As regards appearing knowledgable about beer?
Just a rule of thumb, the darker the beer the warmer the tasting temperature. Don’t be offended if they aren’t ice cold.
At some time during the tasting, hold up your glass to the light, admire the Belgian Lace, and comment on the beer’s “sticktion.” If you are around any home-brewers, they might get the joke. Other wise the same steps in wine tasting are used in beer tasting…all except one. Beer drinkers don’t pour it out unless it’s vile. Swirl, sniff, sip and swallow is our mantra. Spitting is for wusses.
I’m going to a Beer Festival in August, so I’ll be watching this thread too. I’ve never been to one before so I don’t know what to expect either. I know it’s 4 hours long and there are lots and lots and lots of beers and we get our own sampling glass. I hope I’m not drunk when I leave.
I would expect overly hopped bitter garbage but YMMV. At beer festivals, I usually find the Bud Light tent and hang.
I took my husband to a craft beer and artisanal cheese tasting in Sonoma last month for our anniversary and we both loved it.
I’d say the same protocol for wine tastings applies to beer tastings. Don’t go in chewing gum or eating mints, don’t wear any heavy scents, avoid smoking, etc. Swirl, sniff, sip, and yes, swallow.
The event we attended was small and was more conversation among a few key speakers and the attendees (about 20.) We tasted about 15 beers and 7 or 8 cheeses and just discussed brewing and beer in general and had a great time. Very relaxed and enjoyable. I had just a slight buzz at the end of the 2.5 hour event.
Beer Festivals tend to be a little more hectic than the beer tasting we attended. Long lines, small pours, drunk people. Not always a fun time, although some can be.
You’re drinking too many US West Coast beers/IPAs, I suspect. Try some wheat beers, some Belgian styles, some porters.
I know, I know. I’m not entirely serious and everything except the porters is right up my alley. I love stouts, but not porters. I was really turned off to porter style after being forced to drink Black Butte Porter on many occasions. Also, I’m not ashamed to admit I like Bud Light. You can drink a ton of them and on a hot day the more it tastes like water the better.
Sounds like it’ll be a blast! My gf’s main concern at this point is that we will enjoy it too much. We make our own wine and currently each have two 6 gallon carboys going. I have 160 bottles in my cellar, she is just shy of 100. We can see ourselves really getting involved.
Most festival-style tastings will provide water. Make sure you stay hydrated and have a glass of water every now and then.
Good luck & have fun. When you decide to expand your winemaking operation into homebrewing beer, let us know.