Today’s infographic is entitled the Brewmaster’s Guide To Describing Beer, showing a list of descriptors by ingredient, along with conditioning, body and strength.
First, let me say that I really do appreciate your regular bona fide attempts to inform those who love beer here. And the comments that follow are in no way directed at you.
It’s hard, however, for me to take seriously an infographic (obviously–and thankfully– not yours) laden with so many spelling errors, Jay. Maybe it’s just the old English teacher in me. But “buble” gum? Really? As in “Michael?” Or is that just a euphemism for sickeningly sweet?
That said, using terms like “horse blankety” may sound cool while imparting a “this guy knows his stuff” impression, but how many brewers–much less consumers– have actually smelled one sufficiently to be able to recall it from olfactory memory while describing a beer? It appears, then, to be just a comment that hints that “this guy must be sharp, and I need to get to that level.” And maybe someday I can impress people with my beer erudition by using such a descriptor.
The same thing happens in the carbonation section. Is there really a noticeable difference among average joes between “effervescent, bubbly (spelled correctly this time), spritzy, sparkling , pinpoint and zippy?”
Call me The Beer Curmudgeon, but I think attempts like this to demonstrate “beer with-it-ness” do more to distance the average beer nut from the guys who make the beer than it does to form a common bond.
While it’s a good thing to be able to describe “why” you like a beer on a more than “good, bad or ehhh” level, such a cornucopia of terms seems to approach the level of the elite wine guys. I have always maintained that beer is not an elitist drink; if you like something, drink it. Just be aware that there are other beers out there awaiting your attention and consideration.
But I doubt many them are wearing horseblankets.
And if you care to, Google the term “swinky.” The Urban Dictionary’s definition is enough to question the processes, brewing or otherwise, of any brewer who claims to detect it, much less intends for it to be part of his beer’s profile.
As a brewer opening a brewery, I found the diagram very clear and helpful in describing the layers involved in both making and tasting beer. Well done!
First, let me say that I really do appreciate your regular bona fide attempts to inform those who love beer here. And the comments that follow are in no way directed at you.
It’s hard, however, for me to take seriously an infographic (obviously–and thankfully– not yours) laden with so many spelling errors, Jay. Maybe it’s just the old English teacher in me. But “buble” gum? Really? As in “Michael?” Or is that just a euphemism for sickeningly sweet?
That said, using terms like “horse blankety” may sound cool while imparting a “this guy knows his stuff” impression, but how many brewers–much less consumers– have actually smelled one sufficiently to be able to recall it from olfactory memory while describing a beer? It appears, then, to be just a comment that hints that “this guy must be sharp, and I need to get to that level.” And maybe someday I can impress people with my beer erudition by using such a descriptor.
The same thing happens in the carbonation section. Is there really a noticeable difference among average joes between “effervescent, bubbly (spelled correctly this time), spritzy, sparkling , pinpoint and zippy?”
Call me The Beer Curmudgeon, but I think attempts like this to demonstrate “beer with-it-ness” do more to distance the average beer nut from the guys who make the beer than it does to form a common bond.
While it’s a good thing to be able to describe “why” you like a beer on a more than “good, bad or ehhh” level, such a cornucopia of terms seems to approach the level of the elite wine guys. I have always maintained that beer is not an elitist drink; if you like something, drink it. Just be aware that there are other beers out there awaiting your attention and consideration.
But I doubt many them are wearing horseblankets.
And if you care to, Google the term “swinky.” The Urban Dictionary’s definition is enough to question the processes, brewing or otherwise, of any brewer who claims to detect it, much less intends for it to be part of his beer’s profile.
As a brewer opening a brewery, I found the diagram very clear and helpful in describing the layers involved in both making and tasting beer. Well done!