Answers.Body: <p><strong>How can I figure out what a beer tastes like based on the name (i.e. before ordering/trying it)?</strong></p>
  <p>The short answer is <strong>no</strong>.</p>
  <p>Personal experience tells me that it is not possible to figure out how a beer will taste like without trying it first.</p>
  <p>For example, I have tried some chocolate beers. Some have notes of that I consider powdered cocoa chocolate, while others will have a taste somewhat closer to milk chocolate. Look are deceiving here.</p>
  <p>Some liquor stores where I live will graciously let you buy one bottle or can to try out in order to be able to see if you like the beer or not.</p>
  
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Answers.CreationDate: 2021-09-06T14:48:45.970Z
Answers.Text: While I agree in some respects, knowing the style of beer gives you some idea of taste. If I order a porter, I roughly know what it will taste like. Not however if it is a good porter or bad. I don't order sour beers because I know I won't like them.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Eric S
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Answers.CreationDate: 2021-09-06T14:50:44.003Z
Answers.Text: @EricS This is quite true. I admit that as being so.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Ken Graham
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Answers.CreationDate: 2021-09-07T13:44:04.820Z
Answers.Text: @EricS: Yep, that's pretty much what I'm hoping to learn - not necessarily whether a particular beer is good, but at least the general kind of taste/what to expect based on the style of beer.
Answers.UserDisplayName: V2Blast
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Answers.CreationDate: 2021-09-05T15:34:43.210Z
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Answers.UserDisplayName: Ken Graham
Answers.Body: <p>One good resource is <a href="https://www.beeradvocate.com" rel="nofollow noreferrer">BeerAdvocate</a>. <a href="https://untappd.com" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Untappd</a> is another, but you need to create an account for that site. BeerAdvocate has a whole section on <a href="https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/top-styles/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">beer styles</a> along with reviews and ratings of specific beers. In particular you might like <a href="https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/styles/129/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">saisons</a> or <a href="https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/styles/127/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">farmhouse ales</a>. Look for the IBU listing on the beer review. IBU's below 30 are probably more to your liking if you don't like bitterness.</p>
  
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Answers.CreationDate: 2021-09-03T13:28:04.127Z
Answers.Text: You can also take a look at the BJCP : https://dev.bjcp.org/style/2015/beer/ They a lots of type of beer and what they should look like.
Answers.UserDisplayName: f222
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Answers.Text: @f222 Thanks, I wasn’t aware of that site.   Perhaps you could post that as an answer.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Eric S
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Answers.CreationDate: 2021-09-07T10:06:24.987Z
Answers.Text: I second this suggestion. Personally, I love Untapped and you can view metrics about which beers you rated more highly (the bonus of having to log in is that it keeps track!)
Answers.UserDisplayName: Gamora
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Answers.UserDisplayName: Eric S
Body: <p>I am a relative newbie in terms of drinking... I don't know too much about different types of beers (or different types of other alcohols). I only drink occasionally, so when I find something I like, I stick with it - which means I've mostly avoided this problem until now. But I want to branch out from what I know so that I can try new things and learn more.</p>
  <p>Say I'm at a bar, and looking at their drinks menu or seeing what's on tap. Assuming there are names listed for the beers, but not descriptions of their flavor/taste, how can I figure out what a beer tastes like before ordering/trying it?</p>
  <p>I know that many IPAs are bitter (which I'm not a fan of), and I know that the wheat beers I've had are generally less bitter (which I like more)... But I don't know too much about different kinds of beer (or why they taste the way they taste) besides that. I'm interested in learning more.</p>
  
Tags: <taste><flavor><terminology>
Title: How can I figure out what a beer tastes like based on the name (i.e. before ordering/trying it)?
UserDisplayName: V2Blast
ThreadText: # How can I figure out what a beer tastes like based on the name (i.e. before ordering/trying it)?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2021-09-02)
  
  I am a relative newbie in terms of drinking... I don't know too much about different types of beers (or different types of other alcohols). I only drink occasionally, so when I find something I like, I stick with it - which means I've mostly avoided this problem until now. But I want to branch out from what I know so that I can try new things and learn more.
  
  Say I'm at a bar, and looking at their drinks menu or seeing what's on tap. Assuming there are names listed for the beers, but not descriptions of their flavor/taste, how can I figure out what a beer tastes like before ordering/trying it?
  
  I know that many IPAs are bitter (which I'm not a fan of), and I know that the wheat beers I've had are generally less bitter (which I like more)... But I don't know too much about different kinds of beer (or why they taste the way they taste) besides that. I'm interested in learning more.
  
  **Tags:** taste, flavor, terminology
  
  
  ---
  
  ## 2 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_1 on 2021-09-05. Score: 4
  
  **How can I figure out what a beer tastes like based on the name (i.e. before ordering/trying it)?**
  
  The short answer is **no**.
  
  Personal experience tells me that it is not possible to figure out how a beer will taste like without trying it first.
  
  For example, I have tried some chocolate beers. Some have notes of that I consider powdered cocoa chocolate, while others will have a taste somewhat closer to milk chocolate. Look are deceiving here.
  
  Some liquor stores where I live will graciously let you buy one bottle or can to try out in order to be able to see if you like the beer or not.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_2**: While I agree in some respects, knowing the style of beer gives you some idea of taste. If I order a porter, I roughly know what it will taste like. Not however if it is a good porter or bad. I don't order sour beers because I know I won't like them.  
  > **username_1**: @EricS This is quite true. I admit that as being so.  
  > **username_0**: @EricS: Yep, that's pretty much what I'm hoping to learn - not necessarily whether a particular beer is good, but at least the general kind of taste/what to expect based on the style of beer.  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_2 on 2021-09-03. Score: 4
  
  One good resource is [BeerAdvocate](https://www.beeradvocate.com). [Untappd](https://untappd.com) is another, but you need to create an account for that site. BeerAdvocate has a whole section on [beer styles](https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/top-styles/) along with reviews and ratings of specific beers. In particular you might like [saisons](https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/styles/129/) or [farmhouse ales](https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/styles/127/). Look for the IBU listing on the beer review. IBU's below 30 are probably more to your liking if you don't like bitterness.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_3**: You can also take a look at the BJCP : https://dev.bjcp.org/style/2015/beer/ They a lots of type of beer and what they should look like.  
  > **username_2**: @username_3 Thanks, I wasn’t aware of that site.   Perhaps you could post that as an answer.  
  > **username_4**: I second this suggestion. Personally, I love Untapped and you can view metrics about which beers you rated more highly (the bonus of having to log in is that it keeps track!)  
  
  ---
  
  