The Complete Guide to Craft Beer Tasting

I have been curious about craft beer for years but totally intimidated by the whole scene. This guide finally gave me real numbers—I know exactly what a starter setup costs and what I can skip. The first chapter alone made me feel like I could actually do this without embarrassing myself. I picked up my first tasting flight last weekend and actually enjoyed it. Worth every penny.

Overall a very solid, honest guide. I appreciated that it didn't try to sell me anything—no affiliate links or 'essential' 50-dollar glass sets. The cost breakdowns were realistic and the self-assessment checklist actually made me pause and reconsider my schedule. I knocked off a star because I wish the chapter on actually tastING was longer; I wanted more detail on what to look for in the glass. But for a beginner, this is a great starting point.

Decent information but nothing mind-blowing. If you have already watched a few YouTube videos about beer tasting, a lot of this will feel familiar. I did like the honest tone and the concrete first-week checklist. I guess I expected more depth on flavor identification—it mentions it but doesn't go very far. Probably better for someone who truly knows nothing, which I guess is the target audience. Fine, but not a game-changer.

This was exactly the reality-check I needed. I thought craft beer tasting would require a huge investment in equipment and a cellar full of rare bottles. The guide's breakdown of what you actually need—a few decent glasses and a notebook—was refreshing. The first chapter really settled me down and the honest time estimates helped me plan. I've done two tastings since reading and I feel way more confident. Good stuff.

It's okay. I bought this hoping for more sensorY guidance—specifically, how to describe what I'm tasting and how to remember it. The guide covers logistics really well: cost, gear, where to learn. But the actual tasting practice felt a bit thin. The chapter about a typical session was fine but sort of... basic. If you need help deciding whether this hobby is for you, this works. If you want to get better at tasting, you'll need something else.

Reasonable guide, not too fluffy. I like that it gave me hard numbers on cost because other sources were vague or pushing expensive kits. The self-assessment checklist in chapter two was useful and actually made me realize I have the time but not the patience to keep a detailed log. I didn't love the writing style—sometimes it felt a little too chatty—but the information is solid and practical. A good buy if you're on the fence.

Solid, practical, and refreshingly honest. I especially liked the FAQ and the week-one checklist—they answered questions I didn't even know I had, like whether to store bottles upright or on their side. The tone feels like a knowledgeable friend, not a salesman. I took off one star because I'd have liked more comparative information on specific beer styles to try first, but I know that can become a book of its own. Overall, this convinced me to start, and I'm glad.