klyph
Well-Known Member
I recently brewed a stout that I thought was pretty fantastic (I usually think both myself and my brews are pretty fantastic ). I decided it stacked up pretty well against commercial brews, so I bought a Samuel Smith's oatmeal stout and a Deschutes Obsidian stout to do a blind taste test with SWMBO.
Let's just say this was both a kick to the nuts and an eye opening experience.
She started with "A" which was the Sam Smith. She noted it's sweetness, molasses, and a few other things.
Next was "B" Which was the Deschuttes. She noted chocolate, bitter coffee, roast, etc.
Lastly was my baby, Trillion Midnight Stout. I brewed this with loads of Black patent, Chocolate, Caramel, and a few other specialty roasted malts. I thought it had a great roasty almost smoky finish that I love. She took her first sip, swallowed, grimaced, and wrote a single word: "Awful"
Awful.
Apparently she thought it was WAY too bitter, and had a weird taste and unpleasant aftertaste. She tried it once more, same reaction, couldn't even finish the sample glass.
At first I was distraught, then I realized this may be the first time that I've EVER gotten an honest unbiased opinion of my beer. Everyone tells me how great my beer is, and I agree whole heartedly. However I now am coming to realize my **** isn't as hot as I think it is. How many people were just being nice and choked down my swill with a fake smile on their face?
After further pondering, I realize my taste is way different from mainstream consumers. I am a malt-o-holic. I love extreme bitterness, sharp biting, almost burnt smoky flavors. But most people will find these flavors in their beer to be "Awful".
I know, I should just brew what I like and not worry about it. But a huge part of this hobby is the joy and satisfaction I get from sharing with friends. Not to mention my delusions of one day expanding into a microbrewery.
I now realize this was a very positive experience, and I've been trying to think of ways to get solid, unbiased opinions of my beer in an effort to improve it.
Anyone else have a similar experience? A "wake-up call" so to speak?
Let's just say this was both a kick to the nuts and an eye opening experience.
She started with "A" which was the Sam Smith. She noted it's sweetness, molasses, and a few other things.
Next was "B" Which was the Deschuttes. She noted chocolate, bitter coffee, roast, etc.
Lastly was my baby, Trillion Midnight Stout. I brewed this with loads of Black patent, Chocolate, Caramel, and a few other specialty roasted malts. I thought it had a great roasty almost smoky finish that I love. She took her first sip, swallowed, grimaced, and wrote a single word: "Awful"
Awful.
Apparently she thought it was WAY too bitter, and had a weird taste and unpleasant aftertaste. She tried it once more, same reaction, couldn't even finish the sample glass.
At first I was distraught, then I realized this may be the first time that I've EVER gotten an honest unbiased opinion of my beer. Everyone tells me how great my beer is, and I agree whole heartedly. However I now am coming to realize my **** isn't as hot as I think it is. How many people were just being nice and choked down my swill with a fake smile on their face?
After further pondering, I realize my taste is way different from mainstream consumers. I am a malt-o-holic. I love extreme bitterness, sharp biting, almost burnt smoky flavors. But most people will find these flavors in their beer to be "Awful".
I know, I should just brew what I like and not worry about it. But a huge part of this hobby is the joy and satisfaction I get from sharing with friends. Not to mention my delusions of one day expanding into a microbrewery.
I now realize this was a very positive experience, and I've been trying to think of ways to get solid, unbiased opinions of my beer in an effort to improve it.
Anyone else have a similar experience? A "wake-up call" so to speak?