Why Beer Tastes Bitter, Sweet, Fruity, or Malty: A Complete Sensory Guide
Beer is one of the most diverse beverages on earth. Some beers explode with citrus and tropical fruit, others taste roasted like coffee and chocolate, and some are crisp, light, and barely bitter at all. These wildly different flavors come from a science-driven combination of malt, hops, yeast, and brewing techniques — not from artificial flavoring. If you’ve ever wondered why certain beers taste sweet, why IPAs are bitter, how stouts taste chocolatey without real chocolate, or why hazy IPAs smell fruity without fruit — this guide explains everything.