One of the oft-most questions asked by customers at The Good Beer Company, especially new ones facing the Great Beer Chiller, is this: “So which beer is good?” It’s an extremely challenging question to answer.
Aside from the fact it’s like trying to make a mother answer the question of which of her children she loves most, beer is deeply personal. What you like and what someone else likes is likely very different! What beers you’d prefer can also vary depending on your current mood and external factors such as the weather. But that is also why there’s such a wide variety of beer styles out there, to suit each of our individual tastes, as well as cater to your prevailing mood and needs at that certain time.
I liken appreciating beer to appreciating music.
Let’s assume that a beer is a certain musical note. A ‘DO’, for example. You may like that particular beer, and drink it often. But hitting multiple DOs on a piano, and music you do not make. You can tire of it. When you try a different beer, you’re essentially hitting a different musical note. Sure, sometimes you hit a wrong note and cringe.
But try enough beers and soon enough you’ll be hitting a nice, resonant chord. Feeling happy today? How about a ‘A’ chord? Emotionally down? Perhaps a C#m may fit you better.
(Interestingly, an auntie who tried a Stone Brewing Co’s Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale said the beer made her feel even more despondent. Suicidal, even.)
Soon enough, you’ll even find out what kind of music you’d prefer.
Don’t be surprised that when you ask me which beers are good at The Good Beer Company, I end up telling you what I like. I love alternative rock, so that’s what I’ll share with you.
