How to describe taste of beers.

[bigken462]

Ok, I'm not even sure if there is a right forum to place this question in. Maybe I should have put it in the general discussion forum??

Anyway, I brewed a Kolsch a few weeks back and it's still going about a week in the bottle. Just to see how it taste so far, I popped open a bottle this morning. It's still way to early, but compared to my first brew, tasted pretty good.

I could tell it's a lil weak on the alcohol but I was expecting that.

What I'm hoping for is a beer resulting in a crisp bite just as you swallow. Kinda like a almost frozen ice cold carbonated soda. I'm not necessarily talking about the bitterness, but the pop you get just as you take a gulp.

So I guess in a nutshell, when you guys describe the tastes of these beers such as full, thin, dry etc. What is it your palate is telling you?

Another question is, if I want a brew that leaves a clean, sharp taste on the palate w/o a ton of bitterness......What kind of beer would that be?

Sorry for the rambling question. I've been up since yesterday. lol

 

[Yooper]

I think I understand what you're saying. It sounds like you're talking about a light lager, with the crisp lager finish that defines a lager.

Carbonation plays a role as well, so a bit higher carbonation level will help produce that crisp sharp finish. Lagers are very "clean" and the mouthfeel is a bit crisp and then the beer is a bit dry in the finish.

 

[bigken462]

Thanks Yooper.

As I read peoples post as to how they describe their beers, it helps me to decide if it might be something that I want to give a try. Yes, I'm one of those who is a creature of habit. I've drank Michelob Ultra's for decades w/o venturing off the beaten path, so I don't really have a lot of experience with craft beers.

Understanding the hop flavor is the most difficult thing since I've only used 3-4 in the last cpl brews. Not much exposure to those taste.

I have been considering a creme ale, or American light or something like that for my next brew. I'm still limited on ale's for the time being. Grrr

Thanks again for your help,

Ken

 

[Johnnyhitch1]

When you ask how to describe a beer nd what our palates are telling us it depends on the person since everyones palates are different.
Ill break it down how i rate beers...hope thats what your asking in your first question

Apperance: Color, carb level, head retention and clarity.
Nose: I tend to describe foods or items that I/others are familer with.
Spicy/citrus/piney hops, Bready/biscuit/toasty/caramel malts.
Also any other aromas you pick up from grassy to maple to cat vomit (not a good one)
Taste: Same as aroma, describe what you taste (more than likely it will be very similer if not exact to your nose notes)
Do you pick up any off flaors? (bandaid, fusel, banana, plastic, cooked corn, vegetal)
Is the finish sweet or dry? (lingering bitterness tends to mean a drier finish)
Mouthfeel: When you sip on it does it feel like drinking water or like sipping on a milkshake? Or in between?
This is where Thin, Medium, and Full bodied come into play.
Higher carb also tends to give a beer a "fuller" feel.

Try brewing a cream ale or something like a SMaSH (single malt, single hop) to experience diff hop profiles.

Hope this helps!
Cheers

 

[bigken462]

Thanks guys, I know that was a weird question, but ya'll both nailed down what I was kinda looking for. Oddly enough, I seen the list of terms on the top of this forum after I posted. I would have never imagined there being a list of terms on words describing beer. lol

 

[terrapinj]

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