Appearance / Eye
The first stage of tasting: observe the beer’s colour, clarity, head and effervescence. Its appearance already provides useful indications about its style and the malts used.
Nose
The second stage: smell the beer to discover its aromatic profile. The nose may reveal malty, hoppy, fruity, floral, spicy or roasted notes depending on the style and ingredients used.
Palate / Mouth
The third stage: taste the beer. Assess the attack, the balance between sweetness and bitterness, the body, carbonation, flavours, length on the palate and the finish.
Serving Temperature
The ideal temperature for revealing the beer’s aromas. Served too cold, its aromas may become muted; served too warm, it may lose freshness and balance. Each beer style has its own ideal serving temperature.
Brewery
The place and business responsible for producing the beer. From small craft breweries to long-established brewing houses, each brings its own style, recipes and expertise.
Origin: Country, Region
The geographical origin of the beer. Each brewing tradition has its own styles and expertise: Belgium and its Trappist beers, Germany and its Lagers, England and its Ales, or France and its many craft breweries.
Beer Style
The stylistic family of the beer: IPA, Stout, Blonde, Amber, Trappist, Lambic, Witbier, Saison, Lager, Porter… Each style has its own aromatic characteristics, bitterness level and mouthfeel.
Colour
The shade of the beer, from pale straw to deep black, mainly influenced by the malts used. It provides an initial indication of the beer’s profile, from light and delicate styles to darker, more roasted and intense beers.
Alcohol by Volume
The percentage of alcohol by volume. This information helps indicate the beer’s strength and is a mandatory labelling requirement where applicable.
Container Size
The volume of the container. Beer is available in bottles, cans and kegs, in a range of formats depending on the product and intended use.
Rich / Bitter
A scale describing the balance between roundness and bitterness: smooth, generous and malty on the Rich side; more pronounced and lingering bitterness on the Bitter side.
Light / Powerful
A scale describing the beer's body and intensity: light, fresh and easy-drinking on one side; fuller, more intense and structured on the other.
Blonde / Brown
The colour and malt profile: light cereals and delicate notes, or roasted malts with notes of caramel, coffee and chocolate.
Fruity / Floral
The character of the beer guides the occasion: immediate freshness and lightness, or a rich and satisfying tasting experience.
IBU Bitterness
For beer, a scale measuring the bitterness contributed by hops. The higher the number, the more bitter the beer.
EBC Colour
The European Brewery Convention measures the intensity of the beer's colour, from pale straw to deep black. It is displayed as a colour gradient on the product page.
Certification / Label
Certification attesting to a specific production method: organic beer, recognised craft production or a commitment to local brewing.
