Spontaneous Fermentation
A method of fermentation by which all microorganisms necessary for fermentation are naturally occurring in the brewery and the brewer adds no cultures of microorganisms.
Trappist & Abbey Ales
"Trappist" is an appellation (i.e. a legal description with the enforceability of a trademark) meaning that only brewers who meet certain requirements are allowed to use the Trappist name.
Retronasal Aroma
Orthonasal and retronasal olfaction send messages to your brain to tell it what you are eating or drinking. While you can taste five basic tastes (sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami), you can distinguish thousands of volatile chemical compounds.
Reinheitsgebot
Reinheitsgebot turns 500 in 2016, making it the oldest, still valid food safety and consumer protection legislation.
Flanders Red Ale
A sour, fruity, red wine-like Belgian ale, known as the Burgundy of Belgium. It is more wine-like than any other beer style.
Ale-Connor
Also known as the "Gustator Cervisiae," it was the ale-connor's job to go from ale house to ale house, tasting the beers and certifying them to be of good enough quality to drink. If the ale-connor judged the ale to be undrinkable, he could take the offending brewer to the manor court to make restitution.