I totally understand that despite recent Delta setbacks, having a proper pint at a taproom is back and most people just want to enjoy that simple pleasure.
But this is a good time to really evaluate beers again, get back into practice. A good primer is HERE from the always fabulous Beervana blog.
I want you to focus on the two S’s. Subtlety and Surprise because I find that is what really vaults a beer into memorable territory.
We have all had beers that blasted us with one distinct flavor. But how often do we have beers that start with pine, say, but has a layer that you can taste but not quite put your finger on that accentuates the pine note?
Or what if that hazy in front of you has a big pine note, that would not be expected at all but now you have a disparate pair of notes that makes you notice what you are drinking.
What is normal is to get a perfectly fine middle of the pack IPA (insert other beer style here) that ticks boxes but doesn’t have the Easter egg tucked away.
So find those S&S beers.