Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Why Not Host a Beer Tasting Party?


For your next party at the house, why not host a beer tasting event?  This is a great way to introduce your buddies to craft beer and have a fun, unique party. 
Here are a few suggestions
-It’s best to invite a small gathering, 4-10 people and mandate that the objective is purely to have fun!
-We suggest you pour 6 - 8 beers, and only fill each glass 1//3 of the way.  2 bottles of 12oz for each style per 8 people works well.
-The glasses should be clear (no plastic PLEASE) and large red wine glasses do just fine. Please be sure they are clean!
-Set up the tasting to start with the least %ABV (alcohol) and minimal hoppiness /flavor and proceed to the more robust beers
-Note, do not be concerned with shade; the darker the beer       has little to do with how robust the style is nor amount of alcohol.
-Have a pitcher of water to rinse both your month and the glass
-Also, crackers (unsalted) or bread might help to cleanse the palette between tastings
-Be sure not to serve the beer to cold – over chilled beer numbs the taste buds!
-Everyone should taste the same beer at the same time.  It’s more than fine to discuss the attributes of each beer with one another – why keep it a secret, if fact, this is encouraged and commenting on each beer is the objective to the party!
-You can certainly hand out a beer-rating sheet – there’s plenty of websites that do a good job presenting score sheets for you to print and distribute
-Lots of factors to evaluate and discuss – keep it simple … it’s a party
         -Presentation – shade, aroma, head, clarity
         -Taste- fruity, dry, sweet, bitter, smooth, yeasty, alcohol
         -Body – Thin/Thick, temperature, bubbly, mouth feel 
         -Drinkability – personal preference – no right / wrong answer here 
         -Overall impression – AKA would you buy a 6pack or dump it down the drain?
-May also be helpful, after the discussion begins, to present a professional description of the beer and style.  Folks like Beer Advocate and Rate Beer both do a fine job here.

Remember, the real trick is to remind everyone to have fun! The best beer is the one YOU like! 
Don’t forget to order more beer for everyone to celebrate AFTER the tasting
Cheers!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

A look at Today's Beer Market

Nielson, the marketing survey company,  just reported on current beer sales and confirmed that craft beer is still growing, despite overall beer sales declining in the USA.  The report reviewed strong overall summer beer sales, although off-premise continued to be slower than normal.  Craft beers enjoyed a 16.8% increase by volume and an 18% increase in sales dollars for 52 weeks, ending September 17.  The average case of craft beer is now $31.72.  Note, craft beer only makes up 5% of the total USA beer market.


Neilson further commented on imported beers and that they too have declined 1.1%, while overall domestic beer volume in USA declined by 1.7%.  Of interest, is the 'below premium' beer (selling at $14.65/case average) fell by a whopping 3.9%.  Among the imports which was an exception were the Belgium beers, lead by Stella Artois - this country's imports actually increased for the same 52 weeks by 26% ! Although overall total beer sold in USA declined by volume, but dollar sales increased by 0.8%.  The average price for a case of beer rose 2.3% and is now $19.74/case.


Overall alcohol (beer, wine, spirits) prices, according to the US Consumer Price Index,  rose 1.4% for the year through September.  Overall, off-premise pricing for all alcohol was flat and on-premise increased by 3.5%.  By category, beer pricing increased 2.3% for on-premise and + 1.3% for off-premise.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

The Proper Beer Glassware for the Perfect Craft Beer Experience


The shape of the glass is actually fundamental in delivering the aroma, and thus taste, of your beer.  Such attributes as the height of the glass, how wide or narrow the glassware is, and the shape of the mouth all effect the bouquet.  As outlined earlier on the Nor'easter Brewing website, your nose is important and, therefore,  taste and aroma are absolutely connected.  As a point of fact, smell (or aroma) enhances flavor. 
The primary objectives of the glassware chosen are four fold; namely, the  ability to retain the beer's head or foam, allow for aromas to enter your nose, the glass should control the temperature of the beer inside the glass, and, lastly,  provide a delicious and full taste for the style of beer you are drinking. 
TIP: Your craft beer will taste phenomenal no matter what glass you pour it into; however, the proper glassware WILL enhance your enjoyment. There are literally dozens of different types and styles of glassware available.  We include the most popular for your reading enjoyment.

Irish Imperial Pint
-My personal favorite!
Glass Shape Features - This glass shape includes a wide 'rounding' mouth tapering down slightly at the base. Most likely the glassware that comes to mind when you are traveling and say   ' I'll have a pint...'
Glass Functionality - The tapered base allows for less heat transfer from the hands and the wider mouth encourages a tall head of foam and room for the hop aromas to escape and be smelled.
Perfect for these Beers - Stouts (although I use this glass for numerous styles)

'Nonick' Imperial Pint
-This is very similar in appearance to the Irish version above with the exception of a bulge about a quarter way down from the mouth of the glass.  
Glass Shape Features  - The bulge allows for a better grip (difficult to slip out of your hands), very good hop aroma is released from the wide mouth, and,  if the glasses are stacked (as bars and restaurants normally do), the notch prevents each glass from sticking together. 
Perfect for these Beers - Pale Ale, Brown Ale, Stout, ESB, Porter, IPA

Classic Pilsner Fluted Glass
-A very popular beer glass at fancy restaurants.
Glass Shape Features - This is a tall, slender, conical shaped glass with a narrow base and a wide mouth.
Glass Functionality - The narrow base design brings bubbles of hop aroma to your nose as you tip the glass back from each sip.
Perfect for these Beers - Kolsch, Pilsner, Scotch Ale

Tulip or Snifter
This is certainly the 'prettiest' beer glassware and borrowed from the world of spirits for Brandy.
Glass Shape Features - This tulip-like design creates a large round bottom on a stem which actually enhances the transfer of heat from your hand to the beer while allowing aromas to escape.
Glass Functionality - Encourages a warmer beer which creates a better tasting experience.  Meanwhile, the expanded mouth permits much of the aromas from the hops to penetrate your nose for the perfect taste.  This beer glass is ideal for strong beers over 8% ABV and strong malty craft beers.
Perfect for these Beers - Russian Imperial Stout, Strong Ales, Dopple Bock, Double IPA, Saison, Lambric, Tripel

Handled Glass Stien  (AKA 'The Mug')
-Probably the most traditional beer glassware.
Glass Shape Features  - This stien is typically made of thick glass with an easy gripping handle for drinking. The mug is approximately the same diameter from mouth to base.
Glass Functionality -The shape promotes easy drinking and the handle completely eliminates any heat transfer from your hands.
Perfect for these Beers - Vienna, Oktoberfest, Marzen, Dunkel.

American Shaker Pint
-By far the most common beer glassware in the USA ... known as the 'pint glass'.
Glass Shape Features  - This tall glass enjoys a slightly larger mouth than base to promote easy drinking, but fails to promote hop nor malted barley aroma and flavor.
Glass Functionality - Beyond the ease of stacking, this beer glass is strictly 'function over form' and should be avoided!
Perfect for these Beers - Wheat, Amber, light beers