We firmly believe beer deserves exactly as much respect as wine. As our founder Matt puts it, hops are just grapes with a gym membership.
Look
Colour and clarity tell you a lot. Pale gold, deep amber, jet black — each hints at the malts used and the flavours coming.
Smell
Give it a swirl and a sniff. This is where hoppy, citrusy, biscuity or roasty aromas show up. Most of what we call "taste" is actually smell.
Sip
Let it sit on your tongue for a second. Notice sweetness up front, bitterness at the back, and whether it finishes crisp or lingers. That's the whole game.
Match the glass and the temperature
Served too cold, beer hides its flavour. A few minutes out of the fridge does wonders for anything with real character. And no, you don't need seventeen specialist glasses — a clean one is plenty.
Quick Questions
What temperature should beer be served at?
Lagers and pilsners are great fridge-cold, but hoppy and dark beers reveal far more flavour a few degrees warmer — a few minutes out of the fridge is ideal.
Do I need special glasses to enjoy beer?
No. A clean glass that lets you see and smell the beer is all you really need.