Palate differences in considering beer preferences

I'd like to talk a little about our genetic palate differences in general. Just because one likes craft beer doesn't mean they have a craving for 'big flavor' stuff all the time or can even drink many of those imperial/barrel aged alcohol flavor bombs at a beer tasting or festival and I also don't think its wrong for some people to shy away from beers that are not flavor forward if they don't like them either. After reading many posts over the years about people liking macros, not liking some overly boozy beers, not caring if beers are hot etc. I thought I'd put up this post.

Although I've never read any true scientific articles on it, I've known about the terms hypo-taster, hyper-taster and median taster for a awhile. Heres something from a napavalleyregister.com article that sums it up well, you can substitute beer for wine in your head if you'd like:


"A “Hypo Taster” is one who has fewer tastebuds and has a higher tolerance for tannins and bitterness. Alcohol tastes sweet and mild, and Hypo Tasters perceive lower intensity wines as thin and watery.
On the other hand, a “Hyper Taster” has more tastebuds and is highly sensitive to tannins and bitterness. Alcohol comes across with a strong and often burning and objectionable taste.
In between is the “Median Taster,” moderately sensitive and is usually open to a broad range of wines at either extreme."

I personally am a hypo-taster. I ask for the spiciest possible level or beyond at thai and indian food places (usually have to ask if they have extra chili paste or ghost pepper stuff etc in the back) and love those types of food the best. I always ask for everything on it and more at a burrito place. I'm the guy who mixes everything together at a BBQ and makes a sandwich out of whatever I have. Consequently I love the bigger, hoppier, maltier, sometimes messier beers more than my friends who might be slightly more median or hyper tasters. I would prefer to casually drink stone enjoy by now or even something like founders imperial stout/GI BCS in winter months but I've learned over the years not to fault some people for just liking whatever beer they like whether it's Cantillon or Coors. Just my 2 cents here for what it's worth.