Last updated 5 months ago
A barbeque would not be complete without a good set of friends, a quality grill, and a host of refreshing beers. However, there is an art to choosing the right beer for your grilled, meaty dishes. Consider the following list of beers when preparing for your next roast or cookout.
The American Blonde beer is reminiscent of the German Blonde in that it has colors ranging from pale straw to deep gold. This type of summer beer is light and malty in taste, which makes it a great option for a warm summer day or for when standing over a hot grill. Many American Blondes brews have a subdued fruitiness with just a slight hint of bitterness.
The Indian Pale Ale is more flavorful than the English IPA and offers a hardier taste than the American Blonde. This type of brew has colors that range from pale gold to reddish amber. The Indian Pale Ale hops have an herbal and citric character, offering a healthy amount of bitterness. This type of summer beer has a medium body and malty undertone. It’s a favorite among beer enthusiasts.
German lager is an excellent beverage to serve alongside barbecued pork loins or chops. You can expect a roasted, yet lightly sweet flavor from most German lagers and you may also taste hints of coffee or a cooked caramel finish. Consider this type of beer after a light summer rain or pair it with a mild meat on a hot day.
A barley wine is somewhere between a beer and a young wine. You can expect a bold, malty, and smoky taste. Many claim these brews are an acquired taste because of the sour or licorice-like flavors that lurk in the background. This is not brew for the timid, but it can be paired swimmingly with red meats that are rubbed in spices and grilled over charcoal.
If you would like to experience the rich, bold, and malty flavors of these summer beers, then stop by South Lyndale Liquors. We have a wide selection of wines, spirits, and almost 2000 craft and import beers that are sure to spice up your summer cookout. You can learn more about the wines and beers we have to offer by visiting our website. Call us at (612) 284-4933 to hear about our specials.
Last updated 5 months ago
Before heading to your local liquor or wine store for a tasting—or before going on a tasting tour of some sort—be sure you’re familiar with these basic elements of tasting wine and spirits:
1. Look. Before you even bring the liquid to your lips, have a good look. Is the beverage clear, cloudy, murky, opaque? What hues and shades do you notice in it? Is there any noticeable movement, even when the glass is still? How does the appearance change when you swirl it in gentle, circular movements? People always taste out of a clean, clear glass so they can examine the beverage thoroughly.
2. Smell. Does the aroma hit the front of your nose strongly or does it travel straight to your sinuses? Is it flowery, fruity, nutty, or spicy? Smell it before swirling, and then again after swirling. The alcohol’s aroma will intensify with a swirl. Try to pick up on any secondary aromas.
3. Taste. A beverage can look and smell great, but ultimately, what makes it a hit is the taste. Taste slowly and examine everything from the beverage’s initial sparks of flavor to the aftertaste. Take your time and taste more than once. If you’re worried about drinking too much, then politely spitting is a totally acceptable element of wine tasting etiquette.
It is important for you to actively channel all of your attention into each of these steps. Decrease distraction by closing your eyes while smelling or tasting. Speak aloud of your feelings, tastes, and don’t be afraid to use abstract descriptors. Enjoy your new hobby and erase any outside pressure about your tasting experience. Tasting and identifying flavors is an active, objective process, and everyone’s opinion is different. Consider joining a wine or spirit club so you can expand your tastes and hear others critiques.
To learn more about wine and spirit tastings in Minneapolis, check out South Lyndale Liquors online or give us call at (612) 284-4933. As a premier seller of beer, wine, and spirits, we also offer a wide variety of tastings on a regular basis.
Last updated 6 months ago
So you’ve gotten the hang of the wine tasting. The next logical step for a wine enthusiast to take is to be able to enjoy discussing flavors with fellow winos. With the right kind of people and a solid supply from a local wine store, you’ll be able to bolster your wine knowledge and the ability to recognize new and different flavors. The following terms will help you the next time you attend a wine club gathering or simply find yourself in the presence of fellow wine lovers in the liquor aisle, while visiting a wine store, or at dinner or a party:
- Body refers to the weight of the wine in your mouth, which is influenced by the alcohol and extracts in the wine. A wine can be considered light, medium, or full-bodied.
- A wine is complex or dynamic if it infuses aromas and flavors in an interesting, tasty way. If a wine offers a flavor or aftertaste that you’ve never experienced before, then chances are that it’s complex.
- A wine is corked if it is spoiled. This can sometimes literally mean that it smells of cork.
- If a wine’s fragrance offers slight, elegant hints of a variety of flavors, then the wine is subtle.
While these are fairly common terms, it’s important to understand that there is no “right” or “wrong” way to describe a wine. We are all unique individuals with diverging senses of taste and smell. Use your own words, too. Don’t be afraid to get abstract in your descriptions: What might be simply “tasty” to one person might seem like a “summertime flavor” to you.
There are other foolproof wine descriptors that taste just like they sound: fruity, nutty, oaky, sweet, tart, woody, grassy, and more. When you engage in friendly conversation about wines, listen to how others describe their wines and don’t be shy to ask others to expand on ideas. All wine lovers learn along the way and wine education can be a lifelong pursuit.
For more information on wine clubs and wine or spirit tastings in Minneapolis, check out South Lyndale Liquors. We’ll even deliver liquor or wine right to your door! Give us a call at (612) 284-4933.
Last updated 6 months ago
When people talk about beer, they may be referring to a variety of different brews, including lagers or a plethora of different ales. Learn how to distinguish between the flavor profiles of these broad categories and how to begin discovering the unique differences between beer brands and varieties by watching this helpful video.
A step-by-step guide to tasting beer, this tutorial will help you develop a deeper understanding of beer. Learn how to identify which of these overall categories your beer fits into and how its flavors distinguish it among other types of brews.
For more information on craft and import beers, visit the experts at South Lyndale Liquors, or give us a call at (612) 284-4933.
Last updated 8 months ago
It’s time to feed the beer connoisseur in you. If you love beers, whether you’re fascinated by imported beers, craft beers, or if you just love all beers equally, then knowing a bit more about the basic beer types will only make your next get together even more fun. Impress your friends with your infinite beer wisdom and they’ll be coming to you, the almighty beer guru, for advice in no time.
Generally, beer falls under the category of being either ale or lager. The difference between the two is the type of yeast that is used during the beer’s fermentation process.
Ale
In order to brew ale, the yeast must go through a process called top-fermenting. During this process, as the yeast in the mixture metabolizes sugar into alcohol, it has a tendency to assemble on the surface level of the brew. In order for the ale to ferment properly, it must reside in warm temperatures. Ale is typically higher in alcohol content, allowing for more complex craft beer creations.
Lager
Lager yeast, on the other hand, sinks to the bottom during the fermentation. As the yeast bottom-ferments, it does not add a lot of flavor, which is why lagers are generally more mild and widely appealing (lagers, as a whole, outsell ales in the U.S.). Lager yeast needs cooler temperatures and can be reused in later batches of brew.
Beer “Styles”
While ales and lagers are the only truly different types of beers, there are plenty of beer styles. In each style, the basic formula has its fermentation process of ingredient list altered to create a new flavor. There’s a wide variety of styles, each judged and made official by established and credible organizations. Popular styles include India pale ale, stout, porter, and more. There are also hybrid beers, which are a combination of both lager and ale.
If you have a love of craft & imported beers, then South Lyndale Liquors has what you need. We have ALMOST 2,000 craft and imported beers to choose from, not to mention 10,000 wines and spirits. Perhaps you’d even be interested in our wine club for wine & spirit tasting. For more information on our craft & imported beers, have a look at our online shop today or give us a call at 612-284-4933!
