Craft Beer Tasting: A Beginner’s Guide

Fellow travelers with a passion for hops, buckle up: your journey through the streets of the art of brewing is about to begin. From the comfort of your armchair, we will take you on an unforgettable journey to discover the magical world of beer tasting.
Are you ready to decipher the secret code hidden behind every sip of craft beer? Then read on!

The Taste of Craft Beer: Beyond simple drinking

Craft beer is much more than just a drink. It is an exercise in style, an artistic expression, a theater of the senses in which barley, hops, water and yeast carry out their performance. Tasting a craft beer is like attending a play where every sip represents a different scene. It’s an immersive experience that touches every aspect of the sense of taste, from the bitterness of the hops to the sweetness of the malt, from the acidity of the yeast to the subtle flavors and aromas introduced during the brewing process.

Beer Tasting Guide: The art of knowing how to drink

Tasting a beer is not like drinking any other drink. There is an art behind tasting, a ritual process which, when carefully followed, can help you discover and appreciate every nuance of flavor and aroma that craft beer has to offer. Tasting is a journey, a discovery, a story that unfolds sip after sip. But how do you embark on this journey? Here are some basic steps:

• The view: before tasting, observe. The color, clarity and presence of the head can give important clues about the type of beer you are about to taste. From golden to dark brown, cloudy to crystalline, every visual aspect tells a part of the beer story.
• Smell: Close your eyes and smell. Before your first sip, inhale deeply. Aromas can range from fruity to floral, spicy to toasty. Hops, malt and yeast, as well as the brewing process, all play a part in creating the beer’s unique aroma.
• The taste: Finally, taste. Take your time. The taste can be bitter, sweet, sour, or a combination of these. You can also detect secondary or subtle flavors, such as those of fruit, spices, herbs, chocolate, coffee, nuts, bread, or whatever the artisan brewer has chosen to express through his creation.

Italian Craft Beer: A heritage to be savored

Italy, a land of fine wines, is also a country with a thriving craft beer culture. From microbreweries tucked away in the hills of Tuscany to modern production facilities on the outskirts of cities like Milan and Rome, Italian craft beer is a hidden treasure just waiting to be discovered. Each beer tells a story, reflects a territory, expresses a character. Tasting an Italian craft beer means participating in this narrative and celebrating the cultural heritage of our country.

Tasting Kits for Craft Beers: Your Ideal Pairing

In the world of craft beers, the food pairing possibilities are endless. To facilitate this discovery, specific tasting kits have been created. Each kit is designed to enhance the aromas and flavors of specific dishes. Here are the four main types of kits:

• Kit for red meats: This kit includes beers with robust bodies, bold flavours, and often roasted or smoky notes. These characteristics perfectly complement red meats, enhancing their rich and intense taste.
• Kit for fish: The beers in this kit tend to have a mild flavor profile, with citrus or floral notes. These light and refreshing beers are perfect for balancing the delicate flavors of fish.
• Pizza kit: The beers selected in this kit vary from amber to red, with a good presence of malt to counteract the salty flavors of the pizza. A well-balanced beer in this kit can enhance the flavors of a pizza like few other beverages can.
• Kit for aperitifs: The beers in this kit are often light, effervescent and with a slight bitterness.These characteristics make them perfect for stimulating the appetite, making them the ideal choice for an aperitif.

Choose the kit that best suits your needs and start your craft beer tasting journey.

Final Considerations

Beer tasting isn’t just a hobby, it’s an art. It requires patience, curiosity and, above all, passion. But remember, there is no right or wrong way to taste beer.

Everyone has their own preferences and the beauty of tasting lies precisely in this: discovering your personal tastes and learning to recognize the flavors you love. So raise your glass, take a deep breath and immerse yourself in the world of beer tasting. Like a daring explorer, let the beer guide you through unknown taste landscapes.
Cheers!