Exploring the World of Beers: My Journey with Brewing

Have you ever wondered about the vast and diverse world of beer? With countless varieties, flavors, and styles, beer can truly be a journey in and of itself. In this article, I delve into my personal experiences with different beer brands and styles, highlighting my extensive collection and the many tastes I've sampled.

My Personal Tasting Journey

Over the years, I've discovered an incredible variety of beer types, including ales, porters, stouts, lagers, wheat beers, pilsners, bières blondes, and IPAs. Each brand brings its own unique flavor and character to the table. Of particular enjoyment are strong beers with robust flavors, which generally exclude the weak, tasteless, and mass-produced American beers.

A Personal Collection

At one point, my collection included an impressive 37 different beers stored in various unconventional places. Hidden in my closet under the bed and in the garage, I had managed to accumulate quite an impressive selection. This collection was not just random; it included a variety of beers from different breweries. For instance, a memorable experience involved receiving six different bottlings from a mixed case of IPAs from Sam Adams.

The Tasting List

For several years, I meticulously recorded my tasting notes, giving each beer a star rating. This list eventually reached a grand total of seven stars in royal purple for my top twenty choices. As time went on, however, maintaining the list became more of a hassle, and I eventually discontinued the entries due to the amount of effort required.

Beer Judge Certification Program's Style Guide

In an attempt to determine how many different styles I had actually tried, I referred to the Beer Judge Certification Program’s 2015 Style Guide. The guide offered a comprehensive list of beer styles, with some I can confidently say I have tasted, such as 3A. Czech Pale Lager, 12A. British Golden Ale, 13A. Dark Mild, 14A. Scottish Light, 14B. Scottish Heavy, 23D. Lambic, and 27. Historical Beer: London Brown Ale, among others.

Global Exploration

To date, I have tasted around 7000 different beers from various regions around the world, sampling most of the different styles. Only the rare and esoteric styles remain unexplored, but as my travels increase, I am sure to encounter more of these unique beers.

A Word of Caution

While the breadth of one’s beer collection or taste is impressive, moderation is key. Beer, like any other alcoholic beverage, can be harmful when consumed in excess. Regular consumption can lead to alcoholism, and hence, it is always advisable to be mindful of your intake and enjoy it responsibly.