Art Of Drinking Beer Without Tasting It: A Guide

There are many ways to drink beer without tasting it, and some of these methods can be done at home, while others are available at local bars. One common method is to add a light-coloured soda to the beer, such as Sprite, Mountain Dew, or Ginger Ale. This makes the beer sweeter without getting rid of the carbonation. Another method is to add citrus fruits, such as lemons, limes, or oranges, as the bitter flavours in beer mix well with citrus flavours. It is important to note that citrus flavours typically only work well with light beers and may not pair well with darker beers. Additionally, one may add a small amount of coke or pepsi to the beer before drinking it, although some may find that this creates an unpleasant carbonated taste.

Plug your nose and pour the beer as far back in your throat as you can

If you want to drink beer without tasting it, one method is to plug your nose and pour the beer as far back in your throat as you can. This technique works because almost 80% of the way we taste comes from our sense of smell. By blocking your nose, you can avoid tasting most of the beer's flavors.

However, it's important to be careful when using this method. Make sure the beer is at room temperature, as drinking something very hot or cold can be harmful. Additionally, be cautious not to choke when pouring the beer down your throat.

You can also try inhaling deeply before taking a shot of beer, then taking the shot while avoiding your tongue, and exhaling quickly afterward. This method also aims to minimize the taste of the beer.

While these techniques can reduce the taste of beer, it's worth noting that drinking beer without tasting it may not be the best approach. There are many different types of beers, and you may simply haven't found the right one for you yet. Instead of trying to avoid the taste, you could explore different beer styles, temperatures, and pairings to find one that suits your palate.

Drink from the bottle to avoid any unwanted aromas

Drinking from the bottle is a great way to avoid the taste of beer. When beer is poured into a glass, it releases strong aromas that some people dislike. Drinking from the bottle helps to avoid these unwanted aromas.

This method is also safer than plugging your nose, which can be dangerous if the item you are using ends up in your nose. It is also less obvious than some other methods, such as inhaling deeply before drinking or holding your tongue at the top of your mouth and breathing through your nose.

Drinking from the bottle is also a more effective way to avoid the taste of beer than drinking it through a straw, which is another popular method. Although drinking through a straw does reduce the amount of flavour you taste, it also releases aromas into the air, which can still be off-putting.

If you are drinking beer at a party and don't want to be the only one with a soft drink, drinking from the bottle can be a good way to disguise the fact that you are avoiding the taste.

However, it's worth noting that there are many different types of beer, and you may just need to find the right one for you. For example, if you don't like the bitter flavour of some beers, you could try a Radler beer (beer with lemon juice) or a fruit-based beer, such as a Belgian Kriek (cherry beer).

Drink through a straw to reduce the amount of flavour you taste

Drinking beer through a straw can reduce the amount of flavour you taste. This is because the temperature of a drink affects how we taste it. The colder a drink is, the harder it is for our receptors to pick up the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that create its aromas.

Drinking a beer through a straw delivers it in smaller amounts, which will melt in your mouth more quickly and have a stronger taste. The straw also increases the amount of air circulation in your mouth, which heats it up and releases more VOCs.

However, drinking through a straw can cause "smoker's lips" over time, as the action of using a straw requires you to purse your lips in a similar way to smoking a cigarette. It can also cause bloating and excess gas, as the straw captures some air which travels to your digestive tract.

Rinse your mouth with water between beers

Rinsing your mouth with water between beers is an effective way to reduce the taste of beer. This method is ideal if you are drinking beer at an event where it seems unavoidable, such as a party or at a bar, and you don't want to be the only one not drinking. It is also useful if you like the feeling that drinking alcohol gives you.

To employ this method, simply take a sip of beer and then rinse your mouth out with water. Try to avoid gulping back the water. This technique works because almost 80% of the way we taste comes from our sense of smell. By rinsing your mouth with water, you are reducing the strong odors that would otherwise be making their way up your nose, thus reducing the overall taste of the beer.

This method can be used in conjunction with other techniques to further reduce the taste of beer. For example, drinking from the bottle will avoid releasing the hoppy aromas that are so loved by craft beer drinkers but not by everyone. Similarly, drinking through a straw will reduce the amount of flavor tasted as the aromas are released into the air.

If you are drinking beer at a bar, it is also worth noting that the type of glass your beer is served in can influence its flavor. For instance, draft beers served in a glass may have a fresher taste than bottled beers.

Eat something before drinking beer to reduce the amount of flavour you taste

Eating something before drinking beer can help reduce the amount of flavour you taste. Here are some tips to help minimise the flavour:

Firstly, it's important to note that some foods are more likely to affect the flavour of beer than others. For example, flavoured crisps or chips might cause the malt taste profile to change, whereas unflavoured corn chips or salted peanuts typically do not. This is because certain flavour agents, such as sweeteners like stevia, saccharin or aspartame, can bind tightly to taste receptors, altering the way subsequent flavours are perceived.

To "reset" your palate, you could try a high-salt rinse, as some people swear by dairy as a cure. Alternatively, simply rinsing your mouth with water may help alleviate the altered flavour.

In addition, eating certain foods before drinking beer can help to slow the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream. Protein-rich foods, such as eggs, Greek yoghurt, chia seeds, nuts, and seeds, can help to slow the emptying of your stomach. Similarly, fibre-rich foods like bananas, oats, chia seeds, berries, sweet potatoes, and avocados can also delay alcohol absorption.

Finally, some foods can help to balance your electrolytes, which can become depleted due to alcohol consumption. Bananas, melons, avocados, quinoa, and sweet potatoes are all good sources of potassium, which can help to maintain your electrolyte balance.

Frequently asked questions