Going Newbie to Pro: Taste Evolution
Everyone at one point is new to craft, and most people I find go on a taste journey developing their love for a style which over time gives way to another. For those wondering about craft and what to try next, I’ve created the below grid which maps out some taste pathways that you can follow to enjoy craft and evolve your tastes a step at a time. The table is organised by columns of focus ie Lager (Clean), Hops, Malt, and Yeasts, and by rows of increasing intensity ranging from A to D from ‘Easy A’ to ‘Die Hard’. For beers listed within the same cell then they are similar though the beers at the top of the cell are generally lighter in flavour and alcohol than those at the bottom. Reading from top down, the table is also a perfect guidance on how to taste multiple beers at once e.g. if you have a tasting flight of a DIPA, an XPA, a Doppelbock and a Pale Ale then… as per the charts below, you would taste them in the order of: Pale Ale, XPA, DIPA, and Doppelbock so as not to shock your taste buds :).
Unsure of where to even start with the grid below? No worries. Totally understandable craft can feel overwhelming at first. Here’s some good suggestions to get you of the blocks:
If you like Hanh Ice… seek a clean crisp pilsner or similar pale lager.
If you like Corona… muck around with a NZ Pilsner for a little transgression.
If you like XXXX Bitter… start with a non-fruity Pale Ale or a Pilsner – particularly an American or NZ hoppy bitter forward one.
If you like Great Northern Original… spend some time getting to know a Helles or a not too fruity Pale Ale.
If you like VB, Foster, Carlton Draught… try a simple Pilsner, it’s a pale lager that’s plain in taste and not hoppy.
If you don’t like bitter… try a fruity XPA or a juicy NEIPA, Kriek or Fruited Sour, or an Amber Ale.
If you don’t like fruity… play in the Malt Driven category beginning with a Kölsch, Weissbiers (wheat beers), or Amber Ale. Alternatively go for the Pale Lagers starting with a Helles.
If you like Guinness Stout… court an Irish Stout or Dry Porter, even perhaps a dry Cerveza.
