Craft Beer Tasting Tips and Etiquette: A Guide for Enthusiasts

Craft beer has taken the UK by storm, with microbreweries and taprooms popping up in every corner of the country. 

Whether you're a seasoned aficionado or a curious novice, understanding the nuances of beer tasting can enhance your experience and deepen your appreciation for this versatile beverage. 

Here are some essential tips and etiquette to guide you through the art of craft beer tasting.

1. Start with the Right Glassware

Using the proper glass can significantly impact your tasting experience. Different styles of beer are best enjoyed in specific types of glasses that highlight their unique characteristics. For instance:

Pint Glass (Nonic or Shaker): Ideal for most British ales and lagers.

Tulip Glass: Perfect for Belgian ales and high-ABV (alcohol by volume) beers, as it captures the aromas and maintains the head.

Snifter: Best for strong, aromatic beers like barleywines and imperial stouts.

Weizen Glass: Designed for wheat beers, allowing for a large, foamy head and enhancing the aromas.

2. Check the Beer’s Appearance

Before you take your first sip, take a moment to observe the beer’s appearance. Look at the colour, clarity, and head (the foam on top). A beer's colour can range from pale yellow to deep black, giving you hints about its malt content and flavour profile. Clarity can indicate filtration methods, while the head can tell you about the beer's carbonation and retention.

3. Engage Your Sense of Smell

A significant portion of tasting involves your sense of smell. Swirl the beer gently in your glass to release its aromas, then take a few short sniffs. Notice the different scents: malt, hops, yeast, and any additional ingredients like fruit or spices. Each beer style has its own aromatic profile, so take your time to savour the complexities.

4. Savour the Flavour

Take a small sip and let the beer linger on your palate. Notice the initial flavours, the mid-palate sensations, and the aftertaste. Pay attention to the balance between sweetness and bitterness, the presence of any fruity or spicy notes, and the overall mouthfeel (how the beer feels in your mouth, such as creamy, dry, or fizzy).

5. Cleanse Your Palate

Between tasting different beers, it's a good idea to cleanse your palate. Water and plain crackers are effective for this purpose. This helps prevent the flavours of one beer from influencing your perception of the next.

6. Mind Your Pace

Pacing yourself is crucial during a tasting session, especially when sampling high-ABV beers. Take your time to enjoy each beer and avoid rushing through the experience. This not only helps you appreciate the nuances of each brew but also prevents overindulgence.

7. Respect Serving Temperatures

Different beers are best enjoyed at specific temperatures. Generally, lighter beers like lagers and pale ales are served colder (around 4-7°C), while stronger, maltier beers like stouts and barleywines benefit from slightly warmer temperatures (10-13°C). Serving beer at the correct temperature enhances its flavour and aroma.

8. Share Your Thoughts

Tasting beer is a social experience. Share your impressions with friends or fellow enthusiasts. Discussing the flavours and characteristics can deepen your understanding and make the experience more enjoyable. Remember, everyone’s palate is different, so there are no right or wrong answers.

9. Respect the Brewery and Venue

When visiting a brewery or taproom, follow the venue’s guidelines and show respect for their staff and patrons. If you’re unsure about something, ask politely. Brewers and staff are often happy to share their knowledge and recommendations.

10. Stay Hydrated and Eat Well

Drinking water throughout your tasting session is essential to stay hydrated. Additionally, pairing beer with food can enhance your experience. Many taprooms offer food pairings or allow you to bring your own. Experiment with different combinations to see how they affect the flavours of the beer.

Final Thoughts

Craft beer tasting is an art that combines sensory exploration with social interaction. By following these tips and etiquette guidelines, you can elevate your tasting experience and develop a deeper appreciation for the craft. Cheers to discovering new brews and enjoying the rich world of craft beer!

Brewing Craft Beers and Ales at Home

Brewing your own craft beers and ales at home is a rewarding hobby that combines art and science.

It allows you to create unique flavours tailored to your taste, and it’s a great way to impress your friends at gatherings. Here’s a comprehensive guide to get you started on your home-brewing journey.

Equipment You'll Need

Brew Kettle: A large pot (at least 19 litres) for boiling the wort.

Fermenter: A vessel, usually with an airlock, where the beer will ferment. A 25-litre food-grade plastic bucket with a lid works well.

Airlock and Bung: To allow CO2 to escape without letting contaminants in.

Siphon Tubing and Racking Cane: For transferring beer between containers.

Hydrometer: To measure the specific gravity of the wort and track fermentation progress.

Thermometer: An accurate one to monitor the temperature of your brew.

Bottles and Caps: Glass bottles and a capper to store your finished beer.

Sanitiser: To keep all your equipment clean and free from bacteria.

Ingredients

Malted Barley: The primary grain used to produce fermentable sugars.

Hops: For bitterness, flavour, and aroma.

Yeast: To ferment the sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide.

Water: Good quality water is crucial for good beer.

The Brewing Process

1. Preparation

Before you begin, ensure all your equipment is clean and sanitised. This step is critical to prevent infections that can spoil your beer.

2. Mashing

In this step, you'll convert the starches in the malted barley into fermentable sugars.

Heat water in your brew kettle to about 68°C.

Add the malted barley and maintain the temperature at 65-68°C for 60 minutes. Stir occasionally.

After mashing, raise the temperature to 75°C for 10 minutes to stop the enzymatic activity.

3. Sparging

This process involves rinsing the grains to extract more sugars.

Slowly pour hot water (around 75°C) over the grains and collect the run-off in the brew kettle until you have your desired volume of wort (around 19 litres).

4. Boiling

Boil the wort and add hops at various stages for bitterness, flavour, and aroma.

Bring the wort to a vigorous boil.

Add the first portion of hops (bittering hops) at the start of the boil.

After 45 minutes, add more hops (flavour hops).

In the last 10 minutes of the boil, add the final hops (aroma hops).

5. Cooling

Cool the wort quickly to prevent contamination and prepare for fermentation.

Place the kettle in an ice bath or use a wort chiller to bring the temperature down to around 20°C.

6. Fermentation

Transfer the cooled wort to the fermenter and add yeast.

Pour the wort into the fermenter and sprinkle the yeast on top.

Seal the fermenter with the airlock and bung.

Store it in a cool, dark place (18-22°C) for about 1-2 weeks until fermentation is complete.

7. Bottling

Once fermentation is complete, it's time to bottle your beer.

Siphon the beer into bottles, leaving behind any sediment.

Add a small amount of sugar to each bottle (about half a teaspoon) to carbonate the beer.

Cap the bottles and store them at room temperature for about 2 weeks.

8. Enjoying Your Brew

After two weeks, chill a bottle, pour it into a glass, and enjoy the fruits of your labour!

Tips for Success

Take Notes: Keep detailed records of your brewing process, ingredients, and observations. This will help you replicate successes and learn from any mistakes.

Experiment: Try different types of malt, hops, and yeast to create unique flavours.

Join a Community: Home-brewing clubs and online forums can offer invaluable advice and support.

Conclusion

Brewing craft beer and ale at home is a fantastic way to explore your creativity and enjoy a delightful beverage tailored to your taste. With the right equipment, ingredients, and a bit of patience, you'll be on your way to becoming a home-brewing expert. Cheers!

As a side note, we have several craft ales working at the moment, including a barley wine style beer which is maturing for Christmas!

Pairing Food with Craft Beer: A Guide for the Discerning Palate

Craft beer has surged in popularity over the past decade, with an ever-growing array of flavours, styles, and brewing techniques to explore. 

For food enthusiasts, this diversity offers an exciting opportunity to experiment with pairing meals with the perfect pint. 

Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or a curious beginner, understanding how to pair food with craft beer can elevate your dining experience to new heights.

Understanding Beer Styles

Before diving into pairing, it’s essential to have a basic understanding of different beer styles. Here are some of the most popular categories:

Pale Ales and IPAs: These beers are characterised by their hoppy bitterness and range from light to medium-bodied. They often feature citrus, pine, and floral notes.

Lagers and Pilsners: Typically crisp and clean, these beers are lighter in body and flavour, making them very refreshing.

Stouts and Porters: Dark, rich, and full-bodied, these beers often have roasted, chocolate, and coffee flavours.

Wheat Beers: These are typically light, slightly sweet, and often have fruity or spicy notes.

Sours: Tart and tangy, these beers can range from mildly to intensely sour, with fruity and sometimes funky flavours.

The Basics of Pairing

When pairing food with craft beer, consider the following principles:

Complementing Flavours: Pair beers with foods that have similar flavour profiles. For example, a rich, chocolatey stout goes well with a chocolate dessert.

Contrasting Flavours: Sometimes, contrasting flavours can create a delightful balance. A tangy, sour beer can cut through the richness of a fatty dish like pork belly.

Matching Intensity: Ensure that neither the beer nor the food overwhelms the other. Pair bold beers with robust dishes and lighter beers with more delicate foods.

Classic Pairings to Try

IPA and Spicy Food: The hoppy bitterness of an IPA can enhance and balance the heat in spicy dishes like Indian curry or Mexican tacos.

Pilsner and Seafood: The crisp, clean profile of a pilsner pairs beautifully with the subtle flavours of seafood, such as grilled prawns or fish and chips.

Stout and Oysters: The rich, roasted notes of a stout complement the briny, mineral flavours of oysters, creating a luxurious pairing experience.

Wheat Beer and Salads: Light and slightly fruity wheat beers are perfect with fresh salads, especially those with citrus-based dressings or fruit toppings.

Sour Beer and Cheese: The acidity of sour beers can cut through the richness of cheese, making them an excellent match for a cheese platter, particularly with creamy or blue cheeses.

Creative Pairing Ideas

Belgian Tripel and Roasted Chicken: The fruity and spicy notes of a Belgian tripel can elevate the flavours of a herb-roasted chicken.

Brown Ale and Barbecue: The caramel and nutty flavours of a brown ale complement the smoky, sweet, and tangy notes of barbecue sauce.

Fruit Lambic and Dessert: Pair a fruit lambic with a fruity dessert, such as berry tart or lemon sorbet, for a refreshing end to your meal.

Tips for Success

Experiment: Don’t be afraid to try unconventional pairings. Part of the fun is discovering new and unexpected combinations.

Consider Seasonality: Match the season with your choices. Light and refreshing beers are great for summer, while rich and robust brews are perfect for winter.

Taste and Adjust: Taste your food and beer together, and don’t hesitate to make adjustments. A squeeze of lemon or a sprinkle of salt can sometimes perfect a pairing.

Conclusion

Pairing food with craft beer is both an art and a science, offering endless possibilities for culinary exploration. By understanding the basics of beer styles and flavour principles, you can create pairings that delight the senses and enhance your dining experience. So, grab your favourite craft beer, prepare a delicious meal, and embark on a journey of flavour discovery. Cheers!

SEVEN BRO7HERS BREWING CO and Aldi hop to it in joint effort

This year, SEVEN BRO7HERS BREWING CO is returning to Aldi, with two vegan-friendly beers branded under the name 'The Hop Foundry.'

Salford's very own brew masters' new pale ales will be hit 1,200 Aldi branches this month (April) and will be available until September.

The two flavours are a new Pineapple Pale Ale (£1.79, 440ml per can) plus the very welcome return of  the popular Watermelon Pale Ale (also £1.79, 440ml per can).

Both beers are specially brewed and branded exclusively for Aldi which has earned a reputation for having a good range of real ales that are exclusive to them, brewed by the UKs top independent brewers.

Packing some delicious fruity notes, the two pale ales are intended to be consumed at events such as picnics and family BBQs throughout the summer.

Kicking off the supermarket deal, CEO of SEVEN BRO7HERS BREWING CO, Keith McAvoy said: “It's a fantastic achievement and testament to our very talented team, as this is our second year working with Aldi.

This latest deal is a really good chance for us to learn from our previous collaboration and work closely with Aldi to create a new, exclusive bespoke beer for 'The Hop Foundry.”

Looking to the future, the brand's expansion plans will see SEVEN BRO7HERS secure a new and exciting HQ site within the next two years. It will include a brewhouse, dedicated distillery facilities, back office operations, plus an onsite taproom and restaurant.

Keith added: “The Aldi deal continues to broaden our audience reach, and as we grow and expand our brewery capabilities, it solidifies our position as one of the UKs fastest growing craft brewers.”

SEVEN BRO7HERS BREWING CO was founded back in 2014 by Guy, Keith, Luke, Daniel, Nathan, Kit, and Greg McAvoy. What was the source of their inspiration? They report that the source of their inspiration was the home-brewing escapades of their father in the family's cellar.

https://www.sevenbro7hers.com

https://www.aldi.co.uk