Tasting advice

Water and a palate cleanser. You're going to want some kind of cracker. I love to use ritz chips.

 

You know how when you test-smell new colognes at the store they have coffee beans to smell in between to "refresh" your nose? Do the same.

 

Water, saltine crackers, and then when you're done with those huge beers maybe get some pizza or something that will soak up all that booze.

 

Water and crackers is a must.
But I think pilsners and lighter lagers are great for palate cleansing. I also think they are great for warming up your taste buds.
If I am going to do a serious big tasting, I like to warm with Carton's Sir Down Son or Prima Pils.

 

I always do water and peanuts.

 

Water and unsalted crackers or unsalted pretzels. Salt changes but does cleanse the palate.

 

You will want to reset your palate. Not confuse it. Fruit juice is definitely a no. The advice so far is solid, and you should take up the water and crackers, or bread.
Flavor neutrality is the key. i.e. no salt, or oils.
Something to reset that is not going to get in the way of aromatics, or flavor. And is also not going to confuse you towards or away from what you are drinking in the beer.

 

From what i hear crackers cant be salted or theyll dry you out. I went to a wine tasting the other day and they had oyster crackers and small sliced bread to cleanse the pallet, it worked great

 

French baguettes.

 

Damn, I can't believe you called him that! Harsh

 

If you're only doing 5-6 and have at least a few people, just make sure to drink some what between. Food is good, but I always struggle finding something decent to eat that doesn't have too strong of a flavor.

 

plenty of great advice above regarding water and crackers.

When I host, for stouts though I like having some "sweet and salty" snacks like chocolate covered peanuts or chocolate covered pretzels maybe.

Mmmmm...

 

Great suggestion! If you do plan to have snacks, not only to slow down alcohol, it is better to have snacks that will compliment the style that you are tasting. If it was a more serious affair i.e. taking notes and wanting to taste the beer on its own, then having a clean snack will be the ticket!

 

Some good blue cheese, prosciutto and French bread. Maybe even some basil for freshness. But all you really need is the bread and water.

 

I like this idea. I might need to order a pizza next time I taste, um, a beer.

 

Asking those questions, what's your ultimate goal here? Are you hosting people who know nothing about craft and you know just enough and have the savvy to acquire these heavy hitters? Or are you hosting a tasting with other beer geeks involved and want to impress them?

 

and when you're done, make lamb shanks with risotto for everyone.

 

You might think this is a joke, but our group finds a pale ale is a good palate cleanse in between stouts. Try it ahead of time if you doubt my sincerity.

 

Sensory tests at work (for employees as well as the public) are accompanied by water at room temperature and un-salted Saltines (an oxymoron that actually exist). The water has always been so, but the crackers have changed. The sensory folks have used oyster crackers in the past.

We also have to sit thru a timer between samples. The screen says to cleanse with the cracker/water, the Jeopardy music comes on, and we have to wait to taste the next sample even in a triangle test. Common sense would seem to dictate allowing ample time between tastings if you are tasting in detail and comparing. Taking time for discussion in between would help, I believe - maybe 15 - 20 minutes or something.

Sensory people have explained it us to keep the palate fresh. Dunno...I just do what they ask, but it makes sense.

I like the unsalted pretzels that were mentioned...a bit more substantial than a cracker especially with the lineup suggested in the original post, assuming it is real.