Charlotte’s Craft Beer Scene: An Unlikely Journey into the World of Beer Tasting
Charlotte, oh Charlotte—a city known for its eclectic food, thriving arts, and yes, a burgeoning craft beer scene that has captured the hearts of many. But for some, like myself, the world of hops and barley is as unfamiliar as speaking Martian. So, when I received an invitation from Birdsong Brewing Co. to attend a seminar on the proper way to taste beer, let’s just say I was more than a little hesitant.
A Newbie Walks Into a Brewery
As someone who has dutifully stuck to my beloved rosé, I found myself walking into Birdsong’s taproom, preparing for a journey that would rapidly unearth the depths of my un-ale-icated knowledge. I met Conor Robinson, the head brewer, who greeted me with a warm smile and a glass of water—thankfully, he seemed to understand my trepidation. Spoiler alert: I was definitely not the beer aficionado of the hour.
Let’s Talk Technical
Conor kicked things off by explaining the crucial elements of beer tasting, something he referred to as “sensory analysis.” It sounded fancy, and I suspected that I was about to feel astronomically out of my depth. “You know,” he said, “at bigger breweries, like New Belgium, they have people whose full-time job is to sniff and sip beer.” Ah, yes, the dream job—only if I had a taste for it.
After a brief sobering moment of self-reflection, we dove into the first step: appearance. I learned that the colors of beer lie within the red spectrum—and surprise, surprise, my first instinct was to assume the darker brew would be bitter. “Yikes,” I thought. “First guess, and I’m already failing.” But Conor was quick to affirm, “It’s interesting you came to bitter first!” Perhaps I wasn’t doomed after all!
Smells Like Experience
Next on our journey was smell. Conor introduced me to the lighter beer sample and described its aromas of “grain character and hop matter.” As I took my whiff, my inner critic whispered something entirely different. I scrambled to write down a note, “dog pee,” trying to conceal my thoughts from my brewmaster guide. Remembering this whole experience was about learning, I forced myself to push my sensory boundaries.
The Moment of Truth: Taste
What came next was about taste. I braced myself as I sampled the Rewind Lager, and much to my surprise, it didn’t taste like how I assumed beer would. “Wow, this isn’t terrible!” I thought, noting Conor’s descriptors of “cereal” and “florals.” I even managed to conjure a relatable image—like *Cheerios!* I could roll with that!
Conor educated me on mouthfeel, explaining how carbonation plays a huge role in the overall experience. The Rewind Lager turned out to be high in carbonation, which I quickly acknowledged—yay, me!
When Bitterness Becomes a Subject
As we transitioned to our darker sample, Lazy Bird, I braced for impact. This brown ale had a flavor reminiscent of coffee melded with soy sauce. “Umm, pass,” I thought, as it clung uncomfortably much longer than I’d like. Conor’s humorous remarks about beer-drinkers almost needing to be “masochists” resonated with my qualms about bitterness. While chatting about the International Bitterness Unit (IBU) scale, sparks of self-affirmation finally ignited within: “I simply prefer sweeter drinks!”
A Sweet Surprise!
If I thought I’d found my comfort zone, I was in for the *ultimate twist*. Suddenly, Conor slid an unexpected treat in front of me—an enticing, cloudy, pale-pink sample. “Time for the Pink Robots,” he said. I took a sip, and my taste buds erupted with the joys of tart berries. “Now this is something I could get behind!” I exclaimed.
It turned out that my brewery adventure led me to the realization that not all beers are created equally. While I may not walk away as the next craft beer connoisseur, I discovered a delightful side to the world of brewing. Charlotte’s beer scene holds endless possibilities, and who would’ve thought I’d find a sweet, fruity gem in the land of hops?
So, whether you’re a die-hard beer enthusiast or someone like me, who needs a rosé break, take a step into your local brewery. You might just find a pint of joy waiting for you!
