If you would like to develop your knowledge and achieve beer aficionado status, then it is not just hops and grain you need to be well versed on.
The fascination with craft ales, special brews and unique beer flavors continues to grow and the search for evermore exciting taste combinations never ends.
Many modern beer lovers are now looking for a twist to their regular tipples and beer makers are obliging by providing a wide range of infusions.
Whatever your taste, there is an infusion for you. So, while classic drinks will never go out of fashion, take a look at these six flavors to add interest to your drinking sessions.
Fruit
To add even more refreshment to your glass, try a fruit infused beer. Perfect for summer sessions, a fruity flavor can add a certain lightness to the drink.
While fruity cider is a popular choice, fruity beers are less well known but equally tasty.
Popular choices for fruit infusions include grapefruit, lime and orange for a crisp flavor, or cherry, raspberry and strawberry for something a little smoother. You could even opt for a combination of fruits for a more complex fusion of flavors.
Liquor
If you are considering home brewing and wondering how to deepen the flavors, you could try infusing a favorite liquor.
Tried and tested options include staples such as whiskey, gin and brandy or for something more adventurous you can opt for tequila or even absinthe.
If you are simply looking to increase the alcohol in your beer, this is not the way to do it. A liquor infusion will add depth of flavor, but there are more effective methods for upping the potency.
Cannabis
Non-beers (or non-alcoholic beers) can be made to include CBD, the non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis plants, which offers relaxation without mind-altering effects, although getting permission to do this is something of a murky area.
The laws surrounding cannabinoids vary from state to state so you would need to do your research to know if you were breaking any laws by buying or making these types of drinks where you live.
If you would rather keep your CBD and your beers separate, Platinum CB oils have a range of products made from hemp grown on organic farms in Colorado.
Herbs and Spices
There are a huge range of spices to choose from which work well with a beer, so which you go for will be decided by what experience you are looking for.
For intense flavors go for anise, cardamom, chili or cloves. If you are looking for something more aromatic try chamomile flowers, cinnamon, peppermint or sage. For those who want their beer to pack a truly spicy punch options include coriander, ginger root, ginseng, peppercorns and rooibos.
Whatever your preference, you will be able to find a beer infusion to suit your tastebuds. Why not embark on a flavor exploration, trying different infusions and keeping a record as you go to discover which beers work best for your palate.
You will accelerate your journey towards official beer aficionado too!
