Thursday, June 16, 2005
Appreciating and Assessing Beer
Here are the general things you need to know.
1) Beer with flavor should never be served ice-cold.
2) Beer should be enjoyed in a glass so you can get more aroma and flavor.
3) Ultraviolet light causes beer to go skunky.
4) Beer is a perishible food. Most of the mass-marketed stuff is pasteurized so it can last longer. That also kills flavor. Some of the higher-alcohol beers can be aged. However, you should do your best to drink your beer in a timely manner, especially delicate pilseners. For some of those beers, I would stick to non-imports.
Here are the general things you need to know.
1) Beer with flavor should never be served ice-cold.
2) Beer should be enjoyed in a glass so you can get more aroma and flavor.
3) Ultraviolet light causes beer to go skunky.
4) Beer is a perishible food. Most of the mass-marketed stuff is pasteurized so it can last longer. That also kills flavor. Some of the higher-alcohol beers can be aged. However, you should do your best to drink your beer in a timely manner, especially delicate pilseners. For some of those beers, I would stick to non-imports.
