Beer taster training?

[Ralph]

Hi all, 

 

In the interests of bettering my brew I would like to get some pointers on tasting beer. What I should be looking for etc. I have a good idea of what I like in a brew, but I have no idea how this ranks against more professional tasting.

 

Anyone got any good resources, or can point me in the direction of somewhere I might be able to learn?

 

I have done a fair bit of trained sensory analysis of food and so can probably pick things up pretty quickly, but I need some direction on what good attributes I should be looking for and what the defects are.

 

Cheers

[MrC]

I'd start with something like this http://www.alabev.com/taste.htm

and then apply the techniques to every beer you drink and drink as many different beers/styles as you can.

 

I also like to know where a beer fits into the style guidelines and then compare my thoughts on the beer to the descriptors of the style:  http://www.bjcp.org/2008styles/catdex.php

 

[Ralph]

Thanks, that does look like a good start!

 

 

[Brendon]

http://www.bjcp.org/study.php

[Ralph]

Holy cow. Now that will take some time to absorb all the info!! Thanks!