Elevate Your Beer Tasting Experience: The Art of Flavor Progression

Have you ever considered the impact of the order in which you sample different beers? This weekend, I visited a new brewery and thought it would be a great opportunity to enhance my tasting experience by requesting samples based on an ascending International Bitterness Units (IBU) scale. To my surprise, the bartender gave me a confused look, as if I had just proposed a completely foreign concept.

When I explained that starting with a robust double IPA would overwhelm my palate, making it difficult to fully appreciate the subtleties of a lighter pilsner, I realized how few people are aware of the science behind flavor progression.

Over time, I’ve started keeping a small notebook where I meticulously plan my tasting sequences, taking into account not only the alcohol by volume (ABV) and IBU but also the intensity of flavors. The thought of ordering a random flight of beers without considering how they will interact is now unfathomable to me.

During my visit, I watched another guest make brash choices, hopping from a rich coffee stout to a delicate wheat beer, and then to a fruity sour ale—almost as if he were playing flavor roulette. I couldn’t help but wonder how his unstructured tasting approach would influence his ratings on Untappd.

This experience led me to contemplate a unique opportunity: what if I offered my services to breweries in designing thoughtfully curated tasting flights? Many establishments tend to arrange their offerings haphazardly, missing out on the chance to help beer enthusiasts truly appreciate complex flavors.

I’m even considering the introduction of a consultation service where I could guide people in the art of tasting beers with intent, rather than simply consuming them casually. Of course, before taking that leap, I plan to become Cicerone certified to ensure that I have the expertise to provide valuable insights.

What are your thoughts? Do you believe there’s a market for educating others on how to properly taste and appreciate beer? Would you or someone you know be interested in such a service? Let’s elevate the beer tasting experience together!