Best Potential Beer

Strong even head, crisp carbonation, pleasant color, aromatic nose, and good taste.

Why do you ask?

 

Taste is king with me, but that has to be comprised with malt flavors and hop varieties that I tend to like. and they need to be balanced for the right taste.

 

I don't think your question can be answered in general terms honestly. If it were in regard to a specific beer style, however, then we could go on and on for you.

 

I would argue that for certain styles balance is important, but there are plenty of styles where balance wouldn't be appropriate.

 

A Munich Helles, for example, would be a beer style that favors a malty flavor profile rather than a hoppy/bitter flavor profile. Same with a Scottish Wee Heavy. American IPAs on the other hand, are way out of balance in the opposite direction, in an equally good way.

I have become accustomed to thinking of 'balance' in relation to a specific beer style rather than beer as a whole, a much more general approach.

 

Chalk me up as another fan of good balance. I guess that's why I'm not a huge fan DIPA'S...they just seem like unadulterated hop **** to me.

 

Defiantly@FeDUBELFiST.

A stout would be rosary, perhaps with chocolate or just roasted grains giving the roAsted edge, solid , thick mouthfeel and just enough hops to balance the sweetness, but not like an DIPA.

 

Sure, many stouts or strong brew benefit from aging, but I'd bet a lot a year old IPA would get would getmostlylow marks.

 

Good marketing

 

Ageing of the drinker, sure peoples tastes change over time. What was once great is now ok and or completely discarded because something else is more appealing. The same example can be used with food.

Ridiculed by peers, Sure, some want to be part of the pack or popular crowd. But on this site I've seen plenty of low ratings on so called popular or highly rated beers. All depends on the person and if they are confident in themselves and simply, they just did not agree with the ratings.

Psychological, that goes partly to "good marketing as well as beer rating sites and awards won at competitions. if somebody else or some organisation rates a beer high or "world class" , thats my favorite line, then it must be. I'll bet many marketers really push the ratings with hype to the point where one would not dare rate this award winning beer less. Then you must add the dreaded "limited release". This is one of the best marketing ploys of all. Prices can and probabaly will be higher, long lines form to get the rare one of beers and once its gone, the hype continues on how great it is, or you really missed out on that one, etc. Its just the way it is and mostly has been with many products. look at kids toys where stampeeds of people rush in at the opening bell to get the limited quantity of the current popular toy their kid must have. Some beer drinkers are the same and drive long distance to get the rare vintage. kinda silly in my book, thats why i brew my own.

 

Regardless of style, absolutely no off flavors.