Beer Tasting Notes: How to Keep Them

Keeping beer tasting notes is a valuable practice that allows you to capture your impressions, memories, and preferences for different beers. By documenting your tasting experiences, you can reference them in the future, share recommendations, and track your personal beer journey. Here’s a guide on how to effectively keep beer tasting notes:

1. Choose a Format:

• Select a format that works best for you. Whether it’s a dedicated beer tasting notebook, a digital app, or a simple spreadsheet, find a method that is convenient and easy to use. The goal is to capture essential information and your personal reflections on the beer.

2. Record Key Details:

• Start each entry by noting the beer’s key details, including the brewery, beer name, style, ABV (alcohol by volume), and any specific variations or special editions. This information helps you accurately identify and remember the beer.

3. Appearance:

• Assess the beer’s appearance and record your observations. Note the color, clarity, and the presence of any head or lacing. This visual assessment contributes to the overall sensory experience of the beer.

4. Aroma:

• Pay attention to the beer’s aromas and describe them in detail. Note any specific scents, such as fruity, floral, malty, hoppy, or spicy. Consider the intensity, complexity, and how the aromas evolve as the beer warms up.

5. Flavor and Palate:

• Describe the flavors you perceive while tasting the beer. Identify the primary flavors, such as malt sweetness, hop bitterness, fruity esters, or any additional notes like spices or barrel-aged characteristics.
• Assess the beer’s balance, body, and mouthfeel. Note the beer’s perceived carbonation, viscosity, and overall texture on your palate.

6. Finish and Aftertaste:

• Evaluate the beer’s finish and the lingering flavors it leaves behind. Describe the length, intensity, and any distinctive aftertastes. Consider whether the flavors are pleasant, complex, or if any off-flavors are present.

7. Overall Impressions:

• Summarize your overall impressions and provide a personal rating or score if desired. Reflect on the beer’s strengths, weaknesses, and whether it met your expectations. Consider how the beer compares to others you have tasted in the same style or from the same brewery.

8. Additional Notes and Context:

• Include any additional notes or context that might be relevant to the beer tasting experience. This could include details about the occasion, food pairings, or the people you shared the beer with. These additional insights can bring back memories and provide useful context for future reference.

9. Refer Back and Update:

• Regularly revisit your beer tasting notes and update them as needed. Over time, your palate and preferences may evolve, and it can be interesting to compare your impressions from different points in your beer journey.

Keeping beer tasting notes is not only a practical way to remember your favorite beers but also an enjoyable process of exploring and articulating your beer experiences. It allows you to deepen your understanding of beer styles, develop your palate, and engage in meaningful conversations with fellow beer enthusiasts. So, grab your pen or open your digital app, and embark on a flavorful journey of documenting and preserving your beer tasting adventures. Cheers to the joy of tasting and remembering the beers that bring us so much pleasure!