16 • September 2015 • UPBEAT TIMES, INC.


Sudsology #3: THE ART & CRAFT OF CREATING GREAT BEERS


SANTA, ROSA, CA. ~ The first two Sudsology columns gave readers an overview of the history of brewing, consuming and toasting beer around the globe and in America. For clar- ification, there are two basic types of


beer: ales and lagers.


It is now time to move on to the fun part: learning about how to taste beer. Column 4, next month, will be a start on presenting the many beer styles that have been with us for centuries, others newly re- discovered and others some- what experimental, pushing the boundaries of the craft of beer. In this column I will conclude with recommendations on where you can start your beer palate development or continue on your quest to find the beers you love best. In future col- umns I will also be presenting the 25+ fantastic craft brewer- ies we have in Sonoma County. New ones are opening all the time, showing the burgeoning popularity of this grand and an- cient beverage!


The following description is an adaptation from the Beer Advocate (http://www.beer- advocate.com/), to


a great site


explore your inter-


est in beer and to connect with those who also love beer.


How to Taste Beer When evaluating a beer, you can’t just gulp it down, burp and say “it’s great” or “it’s aw- ful” and spray your neighbors with it. Tasting is an individual art. However, there are a few steps, which if followed, will take your beer tasting to a de- lightful place. Here are the four steps to follow:


Look Take a few minutes and appre- ciate the art and craft of your beer before you taste it. Raise the beer in front of you. Don’t hold your beer directly into the light as this will weaken its true color. Describe its color, its head (the foam on top if this type of beer produces one) and its consistency, to yourself or to others if you are sharing


a flight or have ordered a vari- ety of different beer styles. A flight, a word also used in wine tasting, is a selection of the brewer’s beers. Each is usually served in a four ounce glass with either a verbal and/or writ- ten explanation of the different beer choices presented.


Agitate


Swirl your beer, gently in the glass. This action will pull out aromas, slight nuances, loosen and stimulate carbonation as well as testing head (aka foam) retention.


Smell


90-95% of what you experi- ence is through your sense of smell.


Breathe through your


nose with two quick breathes, then with your mouth open, then through your mouth only (nose and mouth are connected in the experience). Let olfac- tion guide you. Agitate again if need be, and ensure that you are in an area that has no over- whelming aromas. Enjoy its bouquet.


Taste Now sip the beer. Resist swal- lowing right away. Let it wan-


FALL GUIDE Sonoma County by Dr. Anne Cowden • drannecowden@aol.com


der and discover your entire palate. Let your taste buds communicate. Note how your mouth feels, the evenness of the liquid’s body, and breathe out during the process of tast- ing. Try to notice any sweet- ness, salty flavors, acids and general bitterness. Describe what they are, or what they are similar to. Another suggestion is to try tasting the beer after it warms a bit (just a little). Re- ally cold beer can hide some of the flavors. As a beer warms, its true flavors will come through and become more pronounced. OK, beer drinkers, new to the


beverage or long time lovers of beer, this is what the beer experts say to do in order to truly enjoy, ex- perience, honor and celebrate a beer. Whether you wish to take the time to follow these step is clearly up to you.


I have been tasting, savoring and enjoying beer all from all over the country and the world for decades. While I have not always used the steps outlined


Senior Art Show ... continued from page 15


day to our community,” said Di- ane Kaljian, Director, Adult and Aging Division. The Adult and Aging Division offers protective and supportive social services for seniors and dependent adults, as well as community and train- ing coordination to help older adults live independently, with dignity and a positive quality of life. For more information about the Sonoma County Senior Art Show, call the Adult and Aging Division at (707) 565-5908.


above to drink a beer, I can at- test that full enjoyment will come from taking that time. Your knowledge and enjoyment of beer will grow. You will also be much better equipped to know what you love, like and do not wish to drink. To try out your


new knowledge of the art of drinking


beer, I


recommend two festivals in Sep- tember where you will find an amazing number


of microbreweries and their di- verse beer offerings. And this is only September and only two that I have room to mention. There are others all over Cali- fornia, the country and world every month of the year. I will bring some of those to your attention each month.


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16 • September 2015 • UPBEAT TIMES, INC. You are only young once, but you can stay immature indefinitely. ~Ogden Nash


FOOD & BEVERAGE


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