The Ultimate Guide to Drink Beer (8 Tips and 4 Mistakes)

Beer is one of the most popular drinks in the world. It’s a mainstay at most parties, sporting events, and night outs. These drinks are famous for their unique flavors.

They also have fascinating production processes and history. Learning how to drink beer can unravel its many features. This article will walk you through how you can fully appreciate this well-loved beverage.

What to Do Before Drinking Beer?

Preparation is the key to an excellent beer-tasting experience. Choosing the right Beer and glass allows you to savor the taste and aroma of the drink better. Learning more about beer culture fosters a deeper appreciation for the ingredients and effort that came into making the Beer.

Choosing the right Beer

The beer industry is teeming with various beer options. The birth of several artisanal breweries added exciting new variants. Selecting the best Beer that matches your mood, budget, and taste preference is the first step to drinking Beer.

• Porter Beer: This dark Beer is a style brewed using top-fermenting yeast. It offers hearty and well-balanced flavors of caramel and chocolate. This beer style is famous for its dark colors, including black, deep ruby, and brown.
• Ale Beer: This quick fermenting beer is known for its sweetness and rich, fruity undertones. This dark and cloudy liquid has a high alcohol content. This beer style has a wide range of subclassifications under it. It includes the bitter India Pale Ales or the strong Triple Pale Ales.
• Bitter Beer: Also known as British Ale, this Beer presents a well-hopped bitter flavor. This deep, bronze-colored Beer is more complex than the IPA.
• Stout Beer: This Beer exudes robust coffee and chocolate flavors. It’s a dark and creamy beverage that shares similar characteristics with ale beer.
• Lager Beer: This Beer’s slow-fermentation process produces a smooth, sweet, and crisp beer. It’s perfect for easy drinking since it’s light and low in alcohol.

Selecting the Right Glass

It’s fine to drink Beer from the famous red solo cup. However, you can elevate the experience by choosing an appropriate glass. The list below can guide you in matching the best glass for your drink.

Please watch this video for a visual explanation of the drinking glasses.

How To Drink Beer

Now that you have chosen your Beer and its matching glass, it’s time to taste your drink. Just like wine, tasting Beer is also an art. You use your senses to fully appreciate the ingredients and effort into making the Beer.

Pour the beer properly

The proper pouring technique dramatically affects the beer’s texture and aroma. Bartenders are trained to pour beer. So you don’t have to worry when you’re in a bar. However, when you’re drinking at home, it’s best to remember these tips.

1. Hold your glass at an angle of 45 degrees to achieve a nice foam.
2. Pour the Beer and let it flow to the sides of the glass.
3. Stop when you reach halfway.
4. Set the glass upright and pour the drink into the glass.

Appreciate the appearance

Beers come in a wide variety of colors. Each hue represents a dominant ingredient or unique brewing process. Follow the following steps to appreciate the Beer’s appearance.

1. Hold the Beer against natural light.
2. Observe its color and body.
3. Examine the head’s creaminess, foaming, and how long the foam remains.

Smell the aroma

A drink’s fragrance is an excellent indication of how it tastes. The following are the steps on how to enjoy the Beer’s aroma.

1. Swirl the beer glass gently to release the drink’s aroma.
2. Bring the glass to your nose and take a whiff.
3. Identify if you smell chocolate, bread, or fruity scents.
4. Confirm the scent by smelling it through your mouth.
5. Swirl again and check if the aroma has disappeared or intensified.

Taste the Beer

Now is the time you have been waiting for, the tasting part! Here are the recommended steps to make the experience unforgettable.

1. Sip the Beer but do not swallow it yet.
2. Allow it to sit in your mouth, and identify the flavors on your palate.
3. Swallow, then sip a few times again. Observe if there are changes in flavor, mouthfeel, and texture.

This video will walk you through some beer-tasting techniques.

Remember to enjoy the experience of drinking Beer. Take the time to appreciate the aroma and flavors of the Beer. It’s a way of honoring the ingredients and brewing techniques.

Helpful Tips for Drinking Beer

We’ve asked beer enthusiasts and experts for more tips on how to drink Beer. These hacks came from years of drinking this world-famous drink. This part also includes common mistakes that could make drinking less enjoyable.

8 Tips on Drinking Beer

Aside from pouring, smelling, and tasting techniques, there are also some things to consider when drinking Beer. The following tips can help you make the most of the experience.

1. Avoid drinking Beer from mugs or glasses made from synthetic materials.
2. Choose containers made from glass or crystal.
3. Ensure that the glass is clean and has the right size and shape.
4. Pour Beer from a height of about 2-3 centimeters.
5. Allow the foam to settle before pouring another half.
6. Try to drink in smaller sips to appreciate the flavors thoroughly.
7. Drink beer chilled to a temperature slightly above room temperature.
8. Enjoy a beer with smoked dishes, high-fatty cheeses, and meat.

A bar owner in this video dishes out ways to drink Beer.

Common Mistakes in Drinking Beer

Several blunders can make decrease the enjoyment levels of drinking Beer. However, some beer drinkers may need to be aware of these mistakes. So, we’ve made a list of common mistakes to avoid in drinking Beer.

Drinking ice-cold Beer

Drinking Beer with friends conjures memories of bottles in coolers filled with ice. However, icy beers lose their flavors. Most beers are best served slightly above room temperature. Chilling them in the fridge for only 10 minutes improves their flavors and aromas.

Drinking from a frosted glass

Some bars brag about serving their beers in frosted glasses. While it may be aesthetically pleasing, it does not have a good effect. It kills the Beer’s carbonation and aromas. It also causes the Beer to foam too much.

Storing Beer for a long time

Sometimes it’s nice to keep Beer in the fridge for special occasions. However, storing them for months might alter the flavor. Most beers don’t age well, so it’s best to drink your stash immediately.

Exposing Beer to sunlight

When buying Beer from a store, avoid the ones exposed to the sun. Beers subjected to sunlight will taste “off”. Beers are meant to be kept in a cool, dry place to maintain their freshness.

How to Drink Beer Without Getting Drunk

Drinking Beer can be an enjoyable experience. However, consuming too much Beer can cause several health problems. It can also lead to accidents or regrettable actions. The following tips will help you drink Beer without going overboard.

Know your limits

Decide how many drinks you can have before you start drinking. According to experts, the safest number of drinks per day for men is two or fewer. On the other hand, moderate drinking for women means one drink or fewer in a day. It’s best to stick to this number.

Order drinks within your budget

If you’re going out to drink, check how much you will spend. Drinks can be expensive, so setting a sensible budget is crucial. Ensure to stay within budget. Overspending will mean you’ll get drunk and broke at the same time.

Learn to say no

Sometimes it’s hard to resist friends who ask you to drink one more glass. However, it would help if you had stronger willpower. Giving in to temptation can lead to consequences. If someone offers a drink, say, “no, thank you”. Real friends will understand your decision to drink moderately.

Drinks lots of water

Drink a glass of water for every glass of Beer you’ll consume. Keeping yourself hydrated can fend off a horrible hangover. It’s also best to eat before and while drinking. Having a full stomach can slow down alcohol’s adverse effects.

Follow a sensible drinking pace

Avoid downing your beer. Allowing some time between drinks will prevent you from getting drunk. It will help if you savor each sip, especially when you have artisanal brews. It can help you appreciate the flavor without being tipsy.

Avoid drinking other liquor with beer

Limit your drinks to beer. Mixing various kinds of liquor is not a good idea. It would be challenging to keep track of what you’re drinking. When you experience harmful effects, you would not know what caused it.

Conclusion

Drinking Beer can be a relaxing and fun experience. Knowing how to drink Beer can take that moment to a higher level. You’ll maximize the Beer’s incredible features if you take the time to pour, observe, and taste properly. It’s a way of celebrating what makes beer a well-loved beverage worldwide.