Think fast: which is less intimidating to try – a beer you’ve never drank before, or a whiskey you’ve never drank before?
Many of us would answer beer. As a buddy of mine from college once said, “beer actually tastes good.” Now, those of us who love whiskey might protest that good whiskeys taste great as well. However, it’s plain to taste that beer has less burn than hard liquor, which to an extent makes it easier to drink and taste. The same could be argued for wine. Differentiating and describing wines is perhaps more challenging than parsing out the details of a flight of beer.
If you’re a beer geek – especially a craft beer geek – chances are you go wild for the massive variety of easily identifiable flavors in beer. Maybe you’re a fan of tart ciders or the citrus flavors in different IPA’s. No matter which beers you like, you’re probably able to tell us why. For instance, if you asked me why I like wheat beer, I’d point you to the mild, bread-y taste that’s agreeable with food. If you can describe any kind of beer – be it style or a brand- congratulations: beer has helped you train your palate. Without realizing it, you’re way more equipped to be tasting wine or whiskey than any old shmo on the street.
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