How to Choose a Good Beer

Cold Beer

Taste, like all opinions, is ultimately subjective. Therefore, it's impossible for anyone to definitively tell you what you will and will not like. That being said, there are several steps you can take to help you choose the best beer in any situation. If you follow these steps, you'll always be able to choose a great beer, and you won't be locked into choosing the same old standbys over and over.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Know what you like. Learn the flavors you enjoy the most. Do you like heavy or light beer, fruity or not, dark or light? There are many questions you need to answer. The first key to always ordering good beer is to have an opinion. If you have to go out and try a lot of different types of beer, so be it.

2. Understand different types of beer. There are many types of beer and each one has a distinctive taste. For example, an ale tastes different than a lager. Knowing the types of beer that you like is an easy way to narrow down your choice at any particular moment.

3. Match specific flavors with specific beers. For instance, know what a Budweiser tastes like compared to a Samuel Adams. This will give you a frame of reference to draw upon. Once you have this basis, you will be able to compare everything you try in the future with those beers that you already know. An easy way to determine how something tastes is by comparing it to something familiar.

4. Look around. Everyone is not going to have the exact same tastes as you, but the chances are that if everyone else likes something, you'll like it too. Wherever you are, look and see what other people are drinking. If everyone is drinking the same beer, it's probably a good one. Likewise, if no one is drinking a specific type of beer, there might be good reason to stay away from it.

5. Ask someone. Usually, the people serving you will be more than willing to help you get the best possible beer. If you know what you like, chances are they'll be able to match you with a great beer. This is especially true when you are traveling abroad and have no idea what any of the beers on the menu taste like. There is no shame in asking someone to recommend a beer for you. In fact, it is a great way to experience new tastes and flavors.

6. Enjoy. Once you've chosen a great beer there is nothing else that you have to do. Simply sit back, look around, and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Tips & Warnings

• Whenever you're in a new situation or a new location, try to choose a different beer. Drink what the locals drink.