The Bar Towel

Interesting, thanks, but not surprising. I once read that most people, when tasting blind an apple and a mild onion, can't taste the difference. Seasoned wine drinkers have pointed out that context means a lot and when you have consumed so many different things in your life (wine and other) without markers such as labels, memory of specific tastes, etc., one will go awry. (Also, the sample was pretty wide here).

The taste memory is often so large (or large enough) it suggests too many paths which are, um, blind alleys. Most of these tasters probably drank a wide variety of light lagers in their time plus wines, pops, etc. True, some apparently stuck to one brand but they may have had a duff taster.

E.g., when I go for a Budweiser (which is rare, even for me), I expect a slight appley taste that is characteristic - I may not be able to pick it out blind but that does not mean the taste does not exist.

I believe if a tasting of American IPAs was organised, or Porters, etc., the results would be similar, even amongst experienced tasters let alone a group which are not specialists. I mean, those beers, like the mostly light American lager class essayed in this test, are similar (not identical). Take away the context, and many, even here, would not do well at such a test. These things are humbling to be sure but also need to be viewed in their own context.

Gary

Very true... beers within a style are certainly similar.

But although you do get people that ONLY drink Keith's "IPA", most people are open to other beers within that style.

There's just seems to be so much brainwashing associated with the macro lager. People have very strong opinions, which may not even be based on the actual product.

I certainly agree with you. Marketing and image do influence people a lot.

Gary

Responsible Drinker wrote:Very true... beers within a style are certainly similar.

But although you do get people that ONLY drink Keith's "IPA", most people are open to other beers within that style.

There's just seems to be so much brainwashing associated with the macro lager. People have very strong opinions, which may not even be based on the actual product.

I would argue that in the case you cite that the overall blandness and uniform process amd ingredients of the mega brewers ( who use rice and corn in brewing their flagship beers) have produced a variety of mass consumer processed food product beverages which are indistinguishable in flavor by all but a few who know ( and can detect) the minute differences...still I was shocked that not more people could tell the Sam Adams was a real barley malt grist-mashed beer as opposed to the distinctive "paper" tastes in quick- brewed rice adjuct beer products...then again I'll wager most people in the test were unaware of the vast differences nor have they been exposed to an all malt beer previously.

As for physical taste sensory perceptions, many people have a handicap in not being very sensory adept in the taste and olfactory senses...a condition akin to people who fully sighted but are color blind...Then there is the damage done the taste and olfactory senses by chronic smoking...these older legionaires have a high percntage that still smoke....I feel the mega brewers have preyed on these physical sensory weakness for maximum profitability with their weak adjuct laced beers.

I think there is enough credibility to commit to a study that as generations become free from chronic/habitual tobacco smoking they become more demanding in food and beverage quality and tastes