Method To The Madness

                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Evaluating beer can be as simplistic as a thumb up or down, or as complicated as a scientific experiment.  Hopefully, you will agree that we have forged a happy medium between those two extremes.

Depending upon serving size and the time available, each review session consists of anywhere from two to six beers.  These sessions may take place in public or private, in bars or in the comfort of our own homes.  Regardless, we will not post a review of any beer without consuming at least two consecutive servings, or at least 24 fluid ounces, of it.  (Don't worry.  None of us will become too intoxicated doing this!)  In addition, we will not conduct a review on an empty stomach, nor immediately after sampling another beer, wine, or other alcoholic beverage.

Each entry will be headed by the proper name of the beer, accompanied by a photograph of it as it appeared during the session.  If, for some reason, this can not be accomplished, we will substitute an appropriate photograph from the internet.  We will then denote the beer's COUNTRY OF ORIGIN, followed by the BREWERY that produces it.  The beer will then be described and judged in regard to the following characteristics:

STYLE

This is fairly self-explanatory.  Specifically, a beer's "style" refers to the category under which it belongs, according not only to how it tastes, but also how, and sometimes when and where, it is made.  Examples of style include pale lager, stout, IPA (India Pale Ale), witbier, porter, red ale, saison, and adjunct lager.

ABV

ABV stands for "alcohol by volume."  This is a beer's "proof."  Most everyday beers sport ABVs between 4.5 and 6%.

SERVING

This refers to how the beer was served (e.g. draught, bottle); the serving size and glassware (e.g. pint, snifter, 12-oz. bottle); and, lastly, the nature of the pour--from the tap, bottle, or can--and resulting head.  

PURCHASE

Under this subheading we will denote the price we paid for the beer for the review session in question, whether by individual draft, bottle, or can, or by a mass purchase such as a case, keg, or six-pack. The price given will not include any tax, gratuity, or service charge.


APPEARANCE

Each beer's appearance will be described in terms of its color and its opaqueness, transparency or translucence.  We will also note any other significant visual characteristics.

AROMA

This refers to a beer's aromatic notes (how it smells).

TASTE

This refers to a beer's taste and overall mouthfeel; specifically, the various individual notes and nuances that can be detected during each sip.  We will consistently note a beer's "front," "mid-palate," "back," "finish," and aftertaste.

"MUSINGS AND METAPHORS"

This is where we will sum up each drinking experience with humorous analogies, reflective insight, wit, and brutal honesty.  We aim to make this the most enjoyable part of each review.

GRADE

Ultimately, each beer's grade will rest upon a number of factors, and not only regarding how "good" it is.  A critical part of each beer's grade is, simply, how much it tastes like actual beer.  A brew that tastes like grain-infused water may not necessarily taste bad, but will nonetheless not taste as a beer should, and its grade will suffer accordingly.  As far as what each grade indicates:

• A+:  Elite
• A or A-:  Excellent
• B+:  Very Good
• B or B-:  Good
• C+:  Decent
• C or C-:  Average
• D+ or D: Below Average
• D-:  Barely Passable
• F:  Frat Boy Special (or, For Meatheads Only)

Drink up.  Feel good.