Beer flavor sensory training?

[dmcman73]

I've been brewing for a about a year and a half now, started with a single pot on my stove using extract to now brewing all grain and I've custom built an entire all electric brewing rig. I never knew that i would become so addicted to a hobby before, but for some reason, it feels more than a hobby.

I've heard of sensory training for different drinks (wine, beer, mead, cider, etc) and wanted to know if anyone has done it for beer? Basically the sensory training is simulating different "standard flavors" as well as off tastes that can ruin a beer to help you detect it as you're sampling. I've seen some in capsule form and liquid form that you add to a base beer but the kits are expensive!

So, worth it? In my mind, coming from a beginners stand point (again, only doing this for about a year now), I would like to taste what is considered "bad" in a beer taste. Taste is subjective but if I want to get into contests, what judges may find as "bad" going according to taste standards some may find as good.

Here is one of the cheaper kits I was able to find but was curious if anyone else had come up with a basic DIY type. http://www.aroxa.com/beer/beer-flavour-standard-kit/beer-uno-kit

Thanks.

 

[Devin]

I have enough off-tastes in my brews that I am trying to chase down and eliminate, thank you very much.