Welcome to Beer Study Hall
Beer Study Hall is where curiosity about beer turns into deeper understanding. Explore clear, approachable articles about beer styles, ingredients, brewing processes, sensory science, history, and the many details that shape what ends up in your glass. Whether you are studying for an exam or simply want to learn more about beer, start wherever your interests take you.
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Beer & Food Pairing: Scotch Eggs & Scottish Ale
The Belhaven Scottish Ale paired perfectly with the vegetarian version. The caramel maltiness tempered the heat from the spicy Italian Beyond sausage as well as highlighted the Maillard flavors from the deep frying. The herbal and earthy hop flavors highlighted the beer horseradish mustard I paired with the Scotch eggs.
I (Re)Tried It: Belgian Strong Ales Blind Tasting
"To-morrow a stranger will say with masterly good sense precisely what we have thought and felt all the time, and we shall be forced to take with shame our own opinion from another."
I Tried It: Beer Judging
"Meh" is not acceptable feedback for competitions. Or anywhere, really - stop leaving "Meh" as beer feedback, everyone
I Tried It: American Pale Ale and IPA Blind Tasting
I wish I could tell you what I thought about all the beers, but another danger of drinking eight different samples is that by the end, you don't pay attention to where you put your scoresheets and now fear they may be lost forever.
I Tried It: Sherry
The brand I bought fell into the euphemistically-named subcategory of "supermarket sherry," so my suspicions about the quality of my sherry choice were confirmed.
I Tried It: Strong Belgian Ales Blind Tasting
How did I find the difference between Belgian Blond Ales, Belgian Golden Strong Ales, and Belgian Tripels?
Pretty much like the difference between Queen's "Under Pressure" and Vanilla Ice's "Ice, Ice, Baby," as described by Vanilla Ice.
What's This? A Beer That Pairs Well With Toast, a Pretzel Stick, and Popcorn?!?
Thanksgiving is a weird holiday – it’s basically like a dress rehearsal for how everyone is going to get along at Christmas. This year, why not shake things up a little by pairing beer with your Thanksgiving dinner?
I Tried It: Beer & Cheese Pairing
If you’re curious about pairing beer with food, I think it’s helpful to start on a smaller scale with something like a beer and cheese pairing because the legwork of figuring out what pairs well with what is already done for you.
Becoming a Certified Cicerone: Part Three
A word of warning: as great as American craft beer is, I would buy the commercial examples listed in the BJCP Guidelines rather than buying an American craft version of a style because there is a high likelihood that an American craft beer that purports to be a style like an ESB is probably not going to be the best way to train your palate and brain to recognize the classic beer style.