I’ll start with an obvious observation: age changes almost everything in one’s body, so why should taste buds be any different? I’m 56 and I’ve noticed one specific change in my tastes in the past 3-4 years. That is hop-forward high abv beers taste very wrong to me. I get an astringent, metallic alcohol note that seems to override everything else. Sometimes it doesn’t creep in until I’m halfway down the glass, but it almost always appears at some point. I find that this starts to happen with IPAs and the like that clock in over 8%; once they hit 9-10% it becomes almost intolerable for me. That said, these types of beers were once favorites of mine. Outside of a few examples of beers that probably were not well-crafted, I can’t remember getting tasting notes like this even 10 years ago. I should say that I still enjoy very high abv stouts, barleywines, Belgians, etc. I only get this with highly hopped beers. I also don't get this with highly hopped beers that are lower in abv. My question is has anyone else experienced this specific issue? Also, for the more science-oriented BAs out there, is there any science behind this? Thanks
Have you been prescribed new meds recently? A lot of the pills we geezers take can effect our palates.
Nothing new. I've been taking blood pressure meds for ten years or so. But, it's the same med at the same dose. But, thanks for asking. That was something I didn't think about.
“My question is has anyone else experienced this specific issue?” I have not and more broadly my palate has not changed. An often-discussed topic is “Brand x tastes different than it did y years ago.” And folks will opine that the beer hasn’t changed but your palate has changed. I frequently post I personally do not agree with this overall statement since I drink beers that taste the same to me as they did decade(s) ago. For one example, I recently purchased a sixpack of Victory Hop Devil IPA. I had that beer when it as originally introduced in the 1990’s. This recent sixpack tastes just like a 199x version for my palate. “Also, for the more science-oriented BAs out there, is there any science behind this?” Two aspects to bear in mind as regard how a beer will taste to you: Yes, there are taste buds and they ‘register’ the five tastes: sour, sweet, salty, bitter and umami. Would changing taste buds be an ‘issue’ here? The other aspect to tasting beer flavors is your olfactory senses, both orthonasal olfaction and retronasal olfaction. Orthonasal olfaction is when you sniff the beer from the glass. Retronasal olfaction is from aromas reaching your nose when you actually drink the beer (the mouth and nasal cavity is ‘connected’). Would changes to your olfactory senses be an ‘issue’ here? Hopefully some other BA who has experienced the same issue you have can provide their insights. Cheers!
I’m with you on that, although I’ve never cared for hoppy beers. I really dislike when the hoppy bitterness sticks around too long in the aftertaste. The biggest change in my taste that I’ve noticed is my tolerance for sweet has decreased. The other change is my taste buds can handle more sour/tart brews. Unfortunately, my stomach has not kept up. So I’ll stick with short pours of those.
I'll echo the "sweet" intolerance a bit. I'll more so say that I am less tolerant of adjuncts than I once was. I'm note sure how to chalk that up
I’ve noticed that when the adjunct is a corn product my body reacts poorly to having more than one. I’ve been sensitive to fructose my entire life; it makes me hyper with a racing heart and unable to sleep. Having two or more corn-based AALs keeps me up all night. So I don’t buy the “it’s all metabolized by the yeast” line. This is why if I’m in the mood for lager I’ll either seek out one without adjuncts or I’ll go with an import. I suppose since Bud uses rice that might be “safe.” But Yuengling Traditional Lager supposedly has no adjuncts either, so that’s one of my go-tos. And Point Special (regional).
When I started drinking craft 11 years ago, I tried every style so I could figure out what I liked. I found that I loved strong dark beers, and hated sour, bitter, or BA beers. I quickly learned to love BA beers. Four years later, I forced myself to start drinking sours and IPAs and began liking them. I recently gave up both, since sours triggered reflux, and I realized that when I drank overly hoppy beers, my sinuses turned into a waterfall. Now about all I drink are BA Stouts, BA English Barleywines, and BA Porters.
Don’t think there’s any rules set in stone about age and tastebud changing. I certainly trust you about strong and hop forward beers. I can drink them but the bitterness can put me off too. Just like bbtkd before: I tried near every styles of beer ten years ago. I was a rabid craft beer drinker then as the adage goes: the newest of converts are the most religious or something?
I agree that some beer recipes clearly change over time, especially when the brewery. A virtue of microbreweries is their consistency over time and across different production facilities. But if the beer is no good, do I care?
I haven’t had such a major shift in taste (I I recently was proscribed new meds). My preferences have changed, but I’m not sure my palate has. I’m used to high BA, strong tasting beers, and weaker ones don’t interest me anymore. I’m drinking a 6% maple-wheat ale and it is frankly boring.
If Yuengling Traditional Lager is a "go-to" for you then you should rethink your position about yeast metabolizing adjuncts (sugars): "Yuengling Traditional Lager is brewed using corn grits as the primary adjunct." Cheers!
I guess I shouldn’t believe everything I read on the internet. Unless it comes from a reliable source like Jack Horzempa. ;-)
I haven’t had a change like yours with one specific style, but I do have days where beer just tastes off. I think this is related to weather / sinuses.
Over time the body changes. Normal IMO. It's probly safe to say that over time, like decades, some subtle beer flavors might change. The ingredients, like us, are living things. Personally I have a day every so often where things are just different. Food, drink, my approach to things. So with that in my hat I know it's just fine sometimes to wait a while for my primary beer tasting openness and acceptance to come home and enjoy what I can. However, some tastes just plain change for good. I dunno how to explain it. Imp IPAs are usually quite sweet to me. It would be a sad scenario to lose the taste and fire for a favorite beer. Fortunately that hasn't happened to me, but I won't rule anything out.
