The Art of Beer Tasting

The Basics of “Nosing”

We are often asked how we choose the brews we use to scent our amazing beer candles. Just like wine tasting, your nose plays a very important part of the tasting process. The flavor of a beer is closely tied to its aroma. Identifying or articulating how one interprets the aroma of a brew is commonly referred to as “nosing.”

Let’s get started!

Beauty is in the Eyes of the Beer-Holder

If you have ever been to a wine tasting event, this should all sound very familiar to you. Before you start the sniffing, take your glass and give it a good look. Notice the color, the clarity, and overall appearance. Next, give it a gentle swirl. Little beer bubbles should form and rise to the top.

Let’s Get Nosey

The little beer bubbles carry the aroma to the surface. Put your nose to the top of the glass and breath in slowly. What do you smell? What does it remind you of?

Common Aroma’s Found in Craft Beer

• Roasty
• Coffee
• Floral
• Caramel
• Herbal
• Spicy
• Piney
• Buttery
• Cloves
• Fruity

Love of Beauty is Taste

The third and final step to beer tasting is, well – TASTING! The folks at Beerology have put together a killer beer evaluation sheet.  The worksheet walks you through the entire beer tasting process and will really teach you how to properly taste, look for, and articulate when tasting a new beer.

Put your Beer Tasting to the Test

Throw a Beer Tasting Party

Now that you have a good idea how to start tasting and evaluating a craft brew, share your newly found knowledge with some friends! Beer always tastes better when enjoyed with good friends and family!

This is how the makers at Barley & Hops Craft Candles decide which beer scents would make the best candles! I’m not going to lie to you, some brews really just don’t really smell that great but end up tasting amazing. These are the brews we leave for drinking. Either way, we don’t complain. When drinking beer becomes part of our job descriptions….ah, yeah – WINNING!