How our beer tastings were conducted

Since the creation of tastebeer.com.au, we've held 3 beer tastings. Each beer tasting was conducted as a blind taste test, sampling 20 beers at each tasting. Each time, we had 4 tasters and 3 helpers/servers. In beer tasting #1, we were joined by another taster during the second half of the tasting.

The results for each beer tasting can be viewed in the comments section of each beer in the ranked list.

Preparation

The helpers purchased 2 bottles each of 20 different and randomly selected beers, and created a serving list of the beers in random order (hidden from the tasters). Each taster was allocated two small glasses holding about 0.2 L each. The glasses were labelled with letters and stored in the fridge until the tasting.

Our helpers were responsible for pouring the beer, keeping the water glasses full, handing out new scorecards and taking pictures as the event unfolded.

Our tasters sat on one side of a large table to give our servers and helpers unrestricted access from the other side of the table, making it easier to obtain photographic records of the proceedings. All tasters had place cards marked with their assigned letter in front of them.

The tasters familiarised themselves with the beer tasting scorecards. Each taster received a pen, scorecards, and a glass of water to rinse the mouth between the beer tastings.

The beer tasting process

The servers poured the beer in a separate room, to ensure that the tasters were unaware of which beer they were tasting. Each glass was filled to a height of about 2 - 3 cm, with 0.5 - 1 cm foam and then served to the taster associated with the letter on the glass.

The tasters first judged the appearance of the beer, including colour, clarity and head retention, and unusual observations, such as no bubbles or extra large bubbles. Next, the tasters judged the aroma of the beer by giving their glass a little swirl. The taste and then aftertaste was judged and described. Each taster concluded the sampling process with a brief description of the overall impression they had of the beer, including drinkability, quality and whether or not they liked it.

After each beer was tasted, the scorecards were collected. Empty test glasses were rinsed in a nearby sink while other helpers poured the next beer in the second, previously rinsed set of beer glasses.

This process was repeated until all beers were tasted.

Analysis and results

With the results of our beer tastings, we have created a list of 61 beers ranked by taste. The beers in this list are ranked by visitor ratings. Visitors can leave comments and submit their own review to each beer. Stop by the forum and let others know which is your favourite beer!

From our experience with organising beer tastings, we have created the following guides:

• Organise a beer tasting with a group of friends.
• Organise a mini beer tasting for two at home, in a bar or pub or in a restaurant.
• Organise a beer tasting for one.