How to Taste Beer

There are a lot of ways to taste/drink beer, but the focus here is to be able to look at multiple characteristics of a beer, quickly and with very little effort.

A few basics, then a short explanation and you will be tasting beer on a whole other level in no time.

First, when tasting, always look at a few main characteristics of the beer, then consider 3 aspects of each group of characteristics.  So when tasting a beer note:

Appearance of the beer in terms of:

• Color
• Clarity 
• Head

Smell of the beer in terms of:

• Hops
• Malts
• Yeast
• Off Aromas (not too common)

Taste of the beer in terms of:

• Hops
• Malt
• Yeast

Mouthfeel of the beer in terms of:

• Carbonation
• Body
• Finish 

Here is one way to go through the process of tasting with a little more detail on technique. 

Or check out this video to watch the process of tasting 

Here is a tasting card that can help you as you taste a beer.  

Here is a glossary of words that can help you describe a beer 

Here is a Tasting Wheel with ways to associate flavors and aromas

Here is a Periodic Table of Beers

Here are the Brewer's Association Guide to Beer Styles

Here are the BJCP Guidelines for Beer Styles.