In a perfect world, all beer would be fresh, delicious, readily available, and free. My glass would be bottomless, and no amount of sunshine in the world could make it warm or skunked. Oh, what a wonderful world it would be. Snap back to reality. Beer gets old, it’s not always made properly, it’s certainly […]
The Mechanics of Malt
Growing up, I only knew of malt as that weird, powdery stuff in Whoppers (malted milk balls). I wasn’t a fan of those chalky, tangy, little balls. They turned me away from anything malt flavored for years. Little did I know, malt would eventually find its way into my heart and tulip glass in the […]
The Unsavoury Off Flavor
There you were, on a Sunday afternoon with a cold beer in your hand, seated at a local joint. The sun was shining, birds singing, and friends were gathered ‘round with libations and vivacious chatter. That glass of golden brew made its way to your lips in a motion that is as broken in as […]
Certified Cicerone® Study Resources
Allow me to preface this post by saying the contents below are meant for serious beer enthusiasts. If you’re new to beer, the Certified Beer Server Exam is where you want to start. The Certified Cicerone® Exam is the second level of four in the Cicerone® Certification Program. This is the full sum of resources […]
Rushing The Growler
There’s just something about draft beer that makes it taste better than most bottled beer. It could be the lack of pasteurization, or the very limited exposure to oxygen and light. It might even be the close association with the social atmosphere it’s served in. Whatever the reason, people have been wanting to bring draft […]
The 411 On Nitrogen
Ask anyone to name a nitrogenated or “nitro” beer, and they’ll have no problem answering with “Guinness”. It’s no secret the Irish brewery with hundreds of years of brewing experience also happens to be the king of nitro beer. If a bar has a nitro tap, it’s bound to be Guinness. But you may not […]