Retasting the winter beers
Gave the winners of our holiday beer tasting (full list in today's Taste section) another run through and was happy to report that the results still hold.
The Allagash Grand Cru and the Pursuit of Happiness Winter Warmer Ale seemed even better than they did the first go-round. The Snow Goose and the Winter Storm also showed well and the Belgians, loaded with alcohol and sweet flavors, benefitted from being tasted outside the crowded field.
Somehow, when I taste 52 beers, I get worried that I might have missed something.
How do we feel about retasting? Is it wrong, a sign of weakness, to go back and check yourself? Is it like the recount in Florida, yielding more trouble than truth?
Comments
There are so many different elements in beer tasting from variations in different batches to the serving temperature and so on. I love to taste an ale at around 45 degrees and then try it again when it warms to about 55. The nuances seem to come out at the higher temps. Try that with a macro swill and you're likely to spit it out. It's interesting how your mood and your environment can make a brew taste better or worse, as well. When judging, it's almost imperative that you re-taste because the lower alcohol beers won't reveal their subtle flavors at the lower temps. As you found out at the Real Ale Fest, some beers that you've had in bottle format present a whole new profile when retasted in a slightly different format. What a great time of year!!
Posted by: Dominic Cantalupo | November 29, 2007 12:12 AM
Good question on retasting. But, hey, its just beer and consider it further "R & D." Always works for me! Beside I think you need another's opinion when doing any tasting...my email is listed above!
Posted by: Michael Batley | December 6, 2007 12:29 PM