Taste segments

Accessible & Refreshing

Maybe you’ve already tried many of these Pilsner-style beers while on holiday abroad or at a restaurant serving international cuisine. These beers have a moderate flavour intensity and mildly hoppy and fruity notes. They’re also low in bitterness and the flavour is accessible and refreshing. Try Birra Ichnusa, Bintang or Tiger. Cheers!

Crisp & Refreshing

These beers often have subtle hoppy or fruity flavours. The carbonation creates a refreshing tingling sensation in the mouth. This makes the beers crisp and refined. The flavours are familiar and not too intense, and the beers have an average-length aftertaste. Beers in the Crisp & Refreshing taste segment are therefore very accessible. The recipes often bear similarities to the original Czech Pilsners. Beavertown Gamma Ray and Brooklyn Lager are great examples of this taste segment.

Floral & Fruity

Floral and fruity flavours characterise this taste segment. Sweet, sour and bitter flavours may feature to varying degrees. The fruity flavours may hint at yellow, red and tropical fruit. Sweet malty notes may also be noticeable. The flavour intensity is therefore moderate to strong and the aftertaste may be average to long. For many people, these beers are a great introduction to the world of craft beer. Examples include Blanche De Namur Wit or Achel Blond.

Hoppy & Bitter

These beers have hoppy and bitter flavours with a moderate to strong flavour intensity and a long aftertaste. This is often combined with grassy or plant-like aromas and floral notes to create a round flavour profile. The IPA is the foremost example of this taste segment. Brand IPA is a safe choice. Try Brewdog Jack Hammer for a greater explosion of flavours.

Caramel & Honey

The sweetness of the grains and the slightly roasted malt create a bouquet of caramel and honey notes. The flavour intensity is moderate to strong and the aftertaste is average to long. This creates a full mouthfeel. The somewhat sweet flavours make this segment appealing to a broad audience. This segment includes famous Amber beers such as Palm and Leffe Blond, as well as many of the bock beers.

Spicy & Herbal

The Spicy & Herbal taste segment is very diverse. It includes beers with and without added herbs and spices. The beers are low to average in bitterness and a warm mouthfeel is typical of beers in this taste segment. The flavour intensity is strong and the aftertaste is average to long. The increasingly popular Saison fits into this segment well. Saison Dupont and Kees Farmhouse IPA are good examples.

Strong & Savory

Beers in this segment have a surprisingly full-bodied and almost herbal character. The fruity notes of dried or dark fruit and a higher alcohol content give these beers a rich mouthfeel. The flavours are full-bodied and moderate in intensity and aftertaste. The famous Belgian Triples are excellent examples of this taste segment. Specific examples include Tripel Karmeliet or Duvel.

Dark & Rich

This segment contains beers of varying bitterness. The bitterness is created using hops or strongly roasted ingredients. Toffee, coffee, chocolate and smoky notes dominate. The beers have a strong intensity and a long aftertaste. The heavier bock beers, in addition to porters and stouts belong to the Dark & Rich taste segment. Try an Emelisse Espresso Stout.

Barrel-aged

Beers in this taste segment often have a full body and notes of vanilla and cinnamon. If the beer is darker, you will detect notes of chocolate or coffee. These beers are aged in old wooden barrels which were previously used for rum, whiskey or tequila. That is why you will often taste hints of rum or whiskey in your beer. The beers Hel & Verdoemnis and Hemel & Aarde by De Molen are well worth a try.

Experimental

Beers in this taste segment have a complex flavour that sometimes consists of several layers. They may be unusually dry, sour or similar to wine. The sour flavours vary from lemony to vinegary. Wild yeast and bacteria give these beers an earthy, leathery taste. The Belgian Geuze beers Lindemans Faro and Rodenbach Grand Cru are good examples of beers in this segment.