Tasting

What does Tiger Beer taste like? It has aromas of grain and a touch of bread crust, a lightly sweet malt flavour, and finishes with a mild, dry bitterness. It's a beer that doesn't try to stand out, and that's exactly why it pairs with almost anything.

ABC Extra Stout is the counterpart. It smells of roasted malt, cocoa and dark sugar and finishes bittersweet, as the maker itself describes it. Tasting both beers side by side reveals just how far apart a country's beers can be, even within two bottles.

A third example comes from the craft scene. Little Island Brewing Company describes its Stars & Bars as an IPA with a bold hop character and its Black Milk as a milk stout with chocolate notes.

What temperature works best? A lager tastes freshest at around 4 to 7°C (39-45°F). In the heat it warms up quickly in the glass, so it's best poured in smaller rounds. Stout shows off its roasted notes better with a bit more warmth, around 8 to 12°C (46-54°F).

When pouring, a clean glass tilted at an angle helps. The foam should stand a finger's width tall, since it locks in aroma and holds the carbonation. A tall, slender glass keeps lager cooler for longer, while a stout can go into a tulip glass or a pint.

A simple tasting rule helps: first smell, then take a small sip, then let it linger. With lager, pay attention to freshness and cleanliness; with stout, notice the sequence of roasted flavour, sweetness and bitterness in the finish.