Most of us love a good beer, don’t we?  But how many of us casual beer drinkers know the proper way to taste and savor it?  Sure, wine tasting is immensely popular for some, but some of us beer drinkers know a thing or two about the fine art of tasting.  For those that would like to know more, here’s a shortened “how-to” guide..

1. Look
   Raise the beer in front of you.  Describe its true color, its head and its consistency.
2. Agitate
   Swirl your beer gently in the glass.  This will pull out aromas.
3. Smell
   90-95% of what you experience is through your sense of smell.  Breath through your nose with two quick sniffs, then with your mouth open, then through your mouth only.  Enjoy its bouquet.
4. Taste
   Sip the beer but don’t swallowit immediately.  Allow it to wander and explore your entire palate.  Try to detect any sweetness, salty flavors, acids and general bitterness.  As a beer warms, its true flavors will pull through, become more pronounced.

For more detailed information about how to properly “taste” a beer, check out the BeerAdvocate website.  And when you’re ready to put your new skills into pracice, you can always take a tour of the Boulevard Brewing Co. in downtown Kansas City (2501 Southwest Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 64108), not too far from Hampton Woods.  They’re the largest specialty brewer in the midwest and they have a free 45 minute tour of their plant that includes a sampling session at the end of it.  You may even already be familiar with their offereings.  Besides some terrific seasonal offerings, their selections include Bully! Porter, Lunar Ale and Dry Stout.