Why Do People Like the Taste of Beer So Much?

If you’re not a beer drinker, you’re probably wondering why it gets so much buzz from people, and vice versa. What’s so special about beer, anyway?

Beer has a long and storied history as a “social drink” of choice. Those ancient Egyptians? They weren’t sipping martinis—they were drinking beer and loving it. The point is, beer’s reputation as a cultural linchpin isn’t a modern construct. It’s hardwired into human history. 

Not everyone loves the taste of beer at first. It’s an acquired taste, like coffee. And just like coffee, some people will find that they never develop a taste for beer.

And that’s just fine.

Of course, the flavor of beer can range from bitter to sweet, spicy to citrusy, and everything in between. No two beers taste the same. (Well, maybe some of them do—especially if you never venture outside the same one or two breweries. But hey, who am I to judge? I’m just words on a screen.)

So if you’re sitting there reading this, thinking, “I tried beer once and it tasted like stale crackers,” just know you’ve only scraped the foam off the top. You might not like every song on an album, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find one that makes you want to put it on repeat for days. Just remember to enjoy songs (and beer) responsibly.

The Good, The Bad, and the Bitter: What’s in a Flavor?

Ales and lagers, pilsners, IPAs, imperial stouts… It’s like choosing something to stream on Netflix—everything kind of seems the same, but there are fan favorites for a reason.

At its core, beer has a malty, grainy flavor. But why does one beer taste like a pumpkin pie, while another is like chugging old bread water?

Well, there are a lot of variables there. But it mostly all has to do with the brewing process, and the quality of the ingredients: malt (usually barley or wheat), hops, yeast, and water; as well as any added flavor infusions (i.e. lime, chocolate, etc.).

Quality of Beer Ingredients (No Garbage In, No Garbage Out)

If you’re cooking with rotten tomatoes, don’t expect a Michelin-star marinara. The same goes for beer. The quality of your malt, usually barley or wheat, has a big say in the final taste. Barley lends a toasted, nutty flavor, while wheat is lighter and a bit sweeter.

Of course, when it comes to drinking beer for the first time, hops are what’s responsible for that bitter “bite” that either makes you want to jump for joy or spit the beer out—no in-between. Depending on the specific type of hops used, they can give a beer a citrusy, floral, piney, or even downright tropical taste. 

How to Taste Beer

How do you pour a perfect beer? Well, you can begin by pouring it slowly, at an angle.  It sounds technical, but it’s not trigonometry. Pouring at an angle will help preserve a good amount of carbonation in the beer without getting rid of all the foam on top entirely.

Tip: Excessive foam on beer can release too much carbon dioxide, leaving the beer itself tasting flatter. A proper pour with just the right amount of foam ensures that the carbonation—and therefore the overall taste and mouthfeel—are at their best.

Now, you might feel a bit silly doing this next step at first, but if you want to fully experience beer, remember to smell the beer inside the glass before you taste it. A huge part of what we taste comes from what we smell. (And no, you won’t look weird—you’ll look like a beer expert.)

After you take in the aroma of the beer, take a sip. A mindful sip. Let it sit on your tongue for a moment. Try to identify the flavors of the beer. Is it hoppy? Sweet? Piney? Fruity?

Does it have a bitter aftertaste or a smooth finish? Whatever the answers are, make sure to savor the tasting experience. (This is the point where you decide if you’d want to have another, recommend it to friends, or use it to clean your drains.)

Congratulations, you’ve now graduated from sipping to tasting. Feel free to add “beer taster” to your resumé.