While you may not get as detailed as describing a beer's aromatics and esters, any time you drink, you tend to judge your glass of beer based on its flavor and your overall enjoyment. Judging beer in depth is both an art and science — there are even exams such as the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) that you can take to become a certified beer judge.

Whether you are just dabbling in craft beer tasting or want to expand your knowledge of and appreciation for beer, it's worthwhile to understand more than just the style or type of beer you are drinking. To help you refine how you judge beer, check out a few of our tips ranging from how to describe beer to properly tasting it.

How to Describe Beer Like a Professional

Judging beer involves considering its characteristics and faults. To help you get started, here are a few qualities to pay attention to.

Aroma

The aroma is one of the first qualities that beer is judged on. Keep in mind that aspects ranging from the temperature to the amount of time that passed since you opened the bottle can affect the aroma and bouquet. Overall, aroma is based on hops, esters, malt and aromatics. Descriptions ranging from piney to citrusy often describe a beer's aroma.

Flavor

While the flavor may be similar to the aroma, it focuses on the beer's finish and aftertaste as well as characteristics such as balance and bitterness.

Appearance

Color, clarity and foam all play a role in a beer's appearance. The appearance can vary, though, depending on the lighting and background you are viewing the beer against. For the most accurate view, use either a white background or natural light.

Taste

Taste is probably the most obvious quality that comes to mind when you think of evaluating beer. There are six types of flavors that you can differentiate when you taste beers:

Sweet
Sour
Salty
Bitter
Umami
Fatty

Feel

Feel, or more commonly referred to as mouthfeel, describes the body, carbonation and palate sensations of the beer. Essentially, it means how the beer feels in your mouth. Is it smooth or dry? Does it have a crisp finish or leave you with a bitter taste in your mouth? Factors such as fermentation can affect a beer's feel.

Overall Enjoyment

After you've evaluated everything from the aroma to the feel, consider and rate your overall enjoyment. Did the beer meet or exceed your expectations? Was the experience pleasurable or lacking in any way?

Be sure to also note any flaws, including faults in the beer's aroma, flavor, appearance, taste and mouthfeel. Flaws can cause the beer to have a bitter taste or even a solvent alcohol flavor. These kinds of faults could be the result of fermentation, brewing or packaging.

Step-by-Step Tasting Guide: The Characteristics of a good beer

When judging and tasting beer, you can approach the overall process in various ways. For example, some prefer to sample beers that share a common feature, while others like to taste beers with distinct flavor profiles. Regardless of which method you choose, to really indulge in and appreciate the beer you ordered, don't just chug your glass.

The three aspects below are a few beer tasting 101 tips that will help you get ready to try a craft beer.

1. The Pour

No matter the type of beer you are drinking — whether bottled or draft — you want to have it in a glass. Expect different glassware styles depending on the type of beer you are drinking, though.

2. The Look and Swirl

After you've poured your beer into your glassware, pay attention to the appearance. This includes everything from the color and clarity to the amount of sediment.

After noting and appreciating the look of your beer, it's time to give the liquid a swirl. A gentle swirl, especially in warmer air, allows you to release all the flavors and aromas of your craft beer and test the head retention.

3. The Smell, Drink and Taste

Before you try your first sip, take a few short sniffs or one deep sniff to experience the beer's aroma. To ensure you can detect all the notes, make sure you are not in an environment with lots of other scents vying for your attention.

Once you complete this last step, it's time to try your beer. To taste beer properly, sip it slowly, allowing the flavors to linger in your mouth so you can fully enjoy the taste and experience.

Check Out Our Craft Beer Flights

At Thompson Island Brewing Co., we celebrate the coastal Delaware lifestyle by offering a menu full of homemade beers brewed in Rehoboth Beach. You'll also find rotating taps from some of our favorite local breweries on our menu.

Try your hand at judging beer by ordering one of our craft beers, ales, sours or stouts. Be sure to pair your favorite beer with something from our farm-inspired menu. Our beautiful simple food, prepared by nationally recognized chefs, will complement any beer you choose.

For craft beer, pub food and good times, stop by Thompson Island Brewing Co. To stay up to date with our latest news, sign up for our newsletter today.

What to Look for When Tasting Beer