Tasting

What does Boston beer taste like? Boston Lager smells of toffee and bread crust, medium-bodied on the palate, with the hops staying subdued at the finish. Harpoon IPA brings grapefruit and pine with a dry finish. Both beers work as a starting point, while hazy beers like Trillium's Congress Street or Tree House's Julius come across fuller and sweeter.

The right glass depends on the beer. Bars typically pour a pint, and the American pint holds 16 US fluid ounces, that's 473 ml. That makes it smaller than the British pint at 568 ml. For Hazy IPA, a tulip glass works well, capturing the aroma.

The lager shouldn't be served too cold. Around 6 to 8 °C is plenty, since ice-cold beer masks the malt. An American IPA is best a touch warmer, around 8 to 10 °C, and a hazy around 6 to 9 °C. The same rule applies to cans, they come out of the fridge but shouldn't stay ice-cold.

When pouring, it helps to tip the can into a glass first. This releases the carbonation and lets the aromas come through. With hazy beers, the sediment usually stays in the can, if you want to drink it along with the beer, give the can a gentle swirl beforehand.

Tasting flights are also part of the culture. At the taprooms of Trillium and Tree House, beers are often served in small glasses, and sampling small pours is considered the norm. Cans holding 473 ml are also filled to go.