(and why it’s totally unfair) Beer tasting (and why it’s totally unfair)

During the brewing, fermenting, maturation and packaging process we typically follow practices that are grounded in science. We do the things we do because someone that is really smart and knows a lot said so.

The beer making process is grounded in science and research and we use things we can measure to make sure we’re doing it right (mash temp, gravity, IBU)

The beer drinking process is highly individualized and the same beer can be perceived differently by different tasters That sucks and is unfair because if you make an awesome beer everyone should like it 

The taste test: This helps determine the genes you have that determine how you taste beer (and taste other less important stuff like food)

1)Strip number one is control, this is what paper tastes like 1)Strip number one is control, this is what paper tastes like. Don’t confuse this flavor with anything on the upcoming strips 2)taste the other strips and please write down whether or not you can taste something, and what it tastes like 3) Strip 2 is PTC, strip 3 is Thiourea, and strip 4 is sodium benzoate

Strip 1 is paper. It tastes like paper Strip 2 (PTC) is either flavorless or bitter Strip 3 (thiourea) is either flavorless or sweet, salty, bitter or sour Strip 4 (sodium benzoate) is either flavorless or sweet, salty, bitter or sour

If you tasted nothing on any of the strips, you are a normal taster If you tasted strip 2 (PTC) and none other you are a standard supertaster If you could taste strip 2 (PTC) and strip 3 (Thiourea) but not strip 4, you are a recessive supertaster If you could taste them all you are a dominant supertaster

In Conclusion Your results from this test are only part of the equation when it comes to beer tasting. Sense of smell (or lack thereof), personal preference and palette training are probably more important Making broad generalizations from the results of this test isn’t good (i.e. supertasters hate IPA’s, supertasters hate cilantro/coffee, normal tasters are inferior beer judges This test does help us understand why we don’t always agree on beer tasting, and gives us an idea on what we need to work on as tasters and judges (i.e. a supertaster might need to evaluate hop bitterness and flavor differently, a normal taster might need to find other avenues to accurately identify flavors in beer