The ABC's of Beer Tasting Terminology

With any alcohol tasting there are certain vocabulary terms used to describe they flavors you experience. Beer is no different, and when you use appropriate terms to describe your beer all the qualities make more sense and work together to create the finished product.

Terms:

Acidic – a sharp intense flavor. Think of the flavor you taste when you eat a lemon, or drink vinegar this is not a taste many beers have. If you are looking for a beer that should have an acidic flavor you can try a saison, JP Brewing Co. has a lime saison named, Acid Rain that has a balanced taste of acid from the saison and the lime flavor.

Aggressive – robust or forceful flavor, not to be confused with a beer that is not smooth. Many IPAs will have an aggressive flavor due to the intensity of the hops. IPAs can still be smooth, but the flavor hits you from the first second the beer is in your mouth. JP Brewing Co. Has the perfect beer to be described as aggressive, Little Bold One which is a hop forward IPA.

Artificial – unnatural flavors. Beers described as unnatural are usually something with fruit infused or other flavors that aren't the typical hop, barely, wheat characteristics. JP Brewing Co. Has a beer perfectly described as artificial named Short and Stout, it is a caramel with hints of lavender stout.

Big – higher alcohol contents (ABV) or extreme flavor calls for a beer to be described as "big".

Boozy – taste or smell very strong of alcohol. JP Brewing Co. does not have anything too boozy, with beer there are plenty of other aromas and tastes to discover before the alcohol flavor.

Chalky – sedimentary beers, often leaving dry and dusty mouthfeel. JP Brewing Co. Has a few unfiltered beers that may leave your taste buds with a chalky flavor. You Are My Sunshine Wheat is JP Brewing Co.'s most unfiltered beer, most likely to give you that chalky flavor mouthfeel.

Clean – easy drinking, without undesired flavors. Clean can also be translated as crisp when talking of beer, it’s a beer that leaves you refreshed, like JP Brewing Co.'s favorite Pilsner, Easy Breezy.