Tasting

What does a Pennsylvania lager taste like? Yuengling's Traditional Lager shows copper in the glass, smells of bread crust and a bit of caramel, and drinks smoothly, with a short, dry finish. A good starting point before moving on to the porter.

Yuengling Porter is the dark counterpart: deep brown with a reddish edge, roasted aromas of coffee and cocoa, plus a light sweetness. It stays lean in body and tastes more bitter than syrupy. Victory's Prima Pils answers with lemon peel, herbs, and fresh bitterness, while HopDevil counters with pine resin and grapefruit.

In the USA, beer is usually served in a pint glass—about 16 ounces (0.47 liters), wide at the top and narrower at the bottom. Brewpubs often offer small tasting glasses so you can sample several beers in succession. A pitcher, holding roughly half a gallon (1.8 liters), is ordered for the table.

Temperature makes a big difference. Lager and pilsner taste best at around 4 to 7 °C (39–45 °F), an IPA at 7 to 10 °C (45–50 °F), a porter at 10 to 12 °C (50–54 °F). Too cold, and the flavors disappear. When pouring a pint from the tap, tilt the glass toward the spout and straighten it as it fills, until a foam head about two fingers wide forms.

Important: In the USA, you must be 21 years old to buy or drink beer. Tasting should therefore be done in moderation, in small sips, with water in between.