Sipping, Slurping, and Cheersing Beer: A Guide to Proper Beer Etiquette

Introduction

There’s nothing quite like enjoying a cold, tasty beer with friends at a local bar or brewery. But, do you know the proper way to sip, slurp, and cheers your beer? Drinking beer may seem like a simple task, but there is actually a proper etiquette that comes with it. In this article, we’ll explore the different techniques for sipping, slurping, and cheersing beer and how to do it the right way.

The Art of Sipping Beer

Sipping beer is the most common way to enjoy it. It is a slow and steady process that allows the drinker to savour the flavours and aromas of the beer. To properly sip your beer, follow these steps:

1. Pick up your glass by the base or stem. Avoid touching the top of the glass as it can leave fingerprints and affect the temperature of the beer.

2. Lift the glass to your nose, take a deep sniff and inhale the aromas. This will help you distinguish the different notes in the beer.

3. Take a small sip of the beer and swirl it around your mouth to let it coat your taste buds. This will help you pick up on the different flavours in the beer.

4. Take your time and enjoy your beer, letting the flavours and aromas unfold with each sip.

The Technique of Slurping Beer

Slurping is a technique that is commonly used when tasting beer and is often used by beer sommeliers. It helps to aerate the beer and release its flavours. To properly slurp your beer, follow these steps:

1. Take a small sip of the beer.

2. Hold the beer in your mouth and breathe in through your mouth and out through your nose. This will create a sucking sound and allow the beer to hit different parts of your mouth.

3. Swallow the beer and exhale through your nose. This will allow the aromas to be released and intensify the flavours in your mouth.

Proper Beer Cheersing

Cheersing or toasting with beer is often done when celebrating a special occasion or with friends and family. To properly cheers your beer, follow these steps:

1. Hold your glass by the base or stem.

2. Look the person you’re cheersing in the eye.

3. Say “Cheers!” or “Prost!” before taking a sip.

4. Make sure your glass touches the other person’s glass before taking a sip.

5. Take a small sip of your beer, and repeat the process until everyone has taken a sip.

The Dos and Don’ts of Beer Etiquette

Now that you know the proper techniques for sipping, slurping, and cheersing beer, let’s review some of the dos and don’ts of beer etiquette:

DO:

– Use a glass when drinking beer, it enhances the aroma and flavour of the beer.

– Hold your glass by the base or stem to avoid touching the top of the glass.

– Take your time and savour the beer, let the flavours unfold with each sip.

– Look the person you’re cheersing in the eye and toast before taking a sip.

DON’T:

– Drink beer straight from the bottle or can unless it is a specific drinking occasion.

– Slurp your beer in public, unless you are at a beer tasting event.

– Touch the rim of the glass or leave fingerprints on the glass.

– Clink your glass too hard when cheersing as it may cause the glass to break.

Conclusion

In conclusion, sipping, slurping, and cheersing beer may seem like simple tasks, but they have a proper etiquette that comes with them. By following these techniques and guidelines, you’ll be able to fully enjoy your beer and impress your friends with your new found knowledge. Cheers to good beer and good company!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it okay to drink beer straight from the bottle/can?
A: It is generally not recommended to drink beer straight from the bottle or can unless it’s a party or specific drinking occasion.

Q: How should I hold my beer glass?
A: Hold your beer glass by the base or stem to avoid touching the top of the glass.

Q: Is swirling beer in my mouth necessary?
A: Swirling beer in your mouth is not necessary but can help you pick up on the different flavours and aromas in a beer.

Q: When cheersing, how hard should I clink the glasses together?
A: It’s recommended to clink your glasses gently to avoid breaking the glass.

Q: What’s the proper way to cheers a beer in different countries?
A: In Germany, it’s “Prost!”, in France, it’s “Santé!”, in Italy, it’s “Salute!” and in Japan, it’s “Kanpai!”.