Beer is one of the most popular beverages in history. However, this is not the reason why most people drink beer.
According to Statista, for instance, up to 85% of beer lovers in Japan take beer because it tastes well.
Brewers understand that they have to ensure that their beers taste well for them to stand a chance in the market. They also know that they have to meet changing customer preferences.
But how can they achieve this? How can brewers produce beer that stands out, tastes well, and has an aroma that meets the requirements of their customers? Why is aroma an essential factor when brewing beer?
What Contributes to the Aroma in Beers?
The aroma and taste you get when drinking beer are dictated by the ingredients used to brew it.
Beer is mainly made up of water, meaning that it (water) has a great impact on the quality of beers you get in the market.
Apart from water, beer contains other ingredients such as barley or malt, yeast, hops, and others depending on the recipe used when brewing the beer.
The quantities of ingredients used are dictated by the recipe and brand of beer being brewed.
Three main things contribute to the aroma and taste of beer. They include;
- Yeast: It is one of the most powerful ingredients when it comes to the sugary and natural taste of beers. You will often find spicy and fruity notes in the aroma brought by yeast. You can use different types of yeast depending on your requirements. For instance, brewers are now using thiolized yeast to maximize the aromatic potential of their beers.
- Hops: Hops belong to the same family (Cannabinaceae family) as Cannabis – marijuana and hemp. It is one of the best beer ingredients, especially when keeping beers fresh for a long time. It is also a major component of the flavor and aroma found in beers. It is known to add some form of bitterness that works well with floral and citrus additives.
- Malt: Malt, commonly referred to as processed brewing grains, plays a crucial role in the style of a beer. Brewers can get color, head retention, mouthfeel, flavor, and aroma from malt. However, malt is not as common as hops.
The taste and aroma of beer can also be affected by the beer’s fermentation temperature. If you look at the two most common types of beer according to beer experts – ale and lager beers – you will find that they differ in their methods of fermentation.
Why is Aroma Important When Brewing Beer?
The most essential factor in the aroma of your beers boils down to the consumer.
You should ensure that you have brewed beers that attract your customers even before they have tasted them. If you look at the best no or low-alcoholic drinks, for instance, you would be attracted to try them even if you have never tasted alcohol before.
Did you know that smell and taste affect how human beings perceive flavor? Well, most people assume that the tongue is responsible for deciding if something is sweet. However, it cannot give the whole story without the help of other body parts.
For instance, have you ever eaten a delicious meal with a stuffy nose? What was your experience? Chances are that you were not even aware that the meal is delicious.
This is because you cannot make this decision without smell. If you can breathe the aroma in the meal, then you will get the flavor without any problems.
The same thing applies to beers. Customers take some time to smell the beers they are taking. If they do not like the aroma, chances are that they are not going to enjoy drinking the beer. This is a situation you do not want to find yourself in as a brewer.
Customers rate their beers based on smell, feel, taste, and look. The smell is one of the most important things they consider before taking a beer. As discussed above, you can use yeast, hops, and malt to influence the aroma of your beers.
Wrapping Up
According to the American Brewers Association, the past ten years have seen exponential growth in the number of brewers in America. The figure rose to 9,247 in 2021 from 4,847 in 2015.
With such stiff competition, brewers need to ensure that their beers stand out from the rest. One way of doing that is ensuring that your beers have the perfect aroma. You can see how essential aroma is in beers, as discussed above.
