Enjoying a beer used to mean picking up a six-pack after work and heading home for a new one while taking time to reflect on a long day at work. Now, with the absolutely amazing growth of the craft beer movement, popping a top of your favorite beer is akin to tasting wine. Times have changed for the beer fan, and it is this love of good beer that has made craft beer big business around the world.
However, the problem you face is knowing which craft beer is right for you. You’ve spent your entire life aligning your palate with the taste of beer that was familiar to you and connected you with past generations and that carried with it serious nostalgia. The new “beer” scene is kind of weird, but you don’t need to worry as there are actually some great ways to find the right craft beer for you:
1. “There’s an app for that”: In the same way that our world has adapted to the mobile technology that we all carry in our pockets, the artisan crafting scene is now filled with a number of applications that allow you to make various things, like as part of the larger social network of other beer lovers and chat shop. Even more important to your search in mind, you have the opportunity to check out reviews and ratings of all kinds of beers around the world.
2. Online databases – Continuing the idea of beer apps, you can search through dedicated online databases that give you feedback based on the preferences you enter to give you some possible options for trying a beer . These databases often have their own social interaction between users, which can be a valuable tool for the curious seeker who still needs information on what type of sparkling drink will be right for them.
3. Specialty Stores: Don’t be afraid to go to a store dedicated to beer and wine. Sure, you can’t get motor oil and diapers there at the same time as your beer, but what you can get is a wide selection of craft beers and a very knowledgeable staff who can help guide you the whole way. Many venues also offer the opportunity for the customer to create a “mixed six” of different beers to try.
4. An Old Fashioned Pub Crawl: There is always a way to just go out and try something new. It stands to reason that this is the riskiest of these tips, but while you might be scared of what you’ll find, you might actually find yourself in a cozy group of people who want you to enjoy beer as much as they do.
5. Ask friends: You can also ask your friends and family for comments. While many may not have any input at all, some may be perfectly suited to welcome you to the craft beer party; They may even ask you to join them and hit the streets in search of local craft breweries that will make you think twice about brewskies.
Craft beer is more than just drinking beer. It’s an appreciation for hard work and a reverence for the old ways of doing things that took longer but ultimately paid off. Now, there is something to tip.