unibroueI caught the micro brew bug a while back and lately it’s been getting the attention of my friends and fellow bar goers. Not in a bad way, people ask me what they should try next. I’ve been getting it right too. Often people feel overwhelmed when deciding about what libation to enjoy. There are so many beers, literally too many to count. There are approximately 70 different styles of beer with each style having it’s own sub-styles and so on and so on. You get the point, lots of beers, so how do you know which one is right for you? That’s an impossible question to answer because as you begin to answer it, the answer changes. Lets, instead, talk briefly about how beer is made and what ingredients go into them. Being educated about what you’re drinking is all you need to make better decisions when ordering beer.

How most beers are made

The simplest beers are made from four ingredients: Water, Barley, Hops, and Yeast. The first step in beer brewing is to make a mash of hot water and barley. This converts the starches in the barley into sugars. The liquids are separated from the mash to make what’s called the wort. They then reduce the wort down a bit and while it is boiling, the hops are added, giving the wort a bitter flavor. After the wort is finished reducing it is cooled for fermenting. Fermentation is where the yeasts are literally eating the sugars and producing alcohol. The fermentation can take a week or months depending on the yeast and and the strength of the beer.

Simple deviations to these ingredients are the start of where you come in. You need to decide which ingredients and flavors you like in a beer before you start on the road to microbrew bliss. Secondly, committ to being open minded about beers, don’t judge a beer by it’s label. Invest in beer. Don’t expect Miller Lite pricing on microbrews. Every other month my friends and I get together and buy $20.00 worth of individual bottles (no two are the same) and we taste each one. This is a great way to taste a bunch of beers without having to spent too much or get two drunk. We pour a couple ounces into everyone’s glass and one bottle can give 10 people a taste. Don’t go any larger than 10 because A: you’ll need to buy bottles in pairs if you want everyone to try that beer and B: You want to discuss each beer and more than ten people is too much conversation. When you do this it’s not a bad idea to take notes because at the end of the evening… you might not remeber so well. Have someone who knows beer be the MC that way they can educate you a bit before you taste.  You’re also not comitted to drink an entire beer you don’t like, this is a huge plus.

In my experience, this is the most effective way to taste beers. but don’t forget that most bars offer microbrews on tap, ask for a sample before you order. Most places offer them for free. Stop drinking mass produced domestic beers, start drinking craft beer.