Beer is not just one of the oldest beverages ever crafted by humankind—it’s also a rich sensory universe of flavors and aromas that tell the story of ingredients, traditions, and terroirs. Every sip is a multisensory experience, and aroma plays a key role in defining the character of each beer style.
Exploring beer aromas means diving into a world of scents that range from floral to fruity, from malty to roasted, and far beyond.
Here’s a quick reference chart showing common aroma types and where they come from.
There’s an endless variety of beer styles, each with its own distinctive aromatic and taste profile. You’ll find everything from crisp, light beers with an alcohol content of 2–3%—like some bitters—to full-bodied brews that reach up to 12%, bursting with roasted, caramelized, spicy, fruity, or floral notes. Behind each creation is a master brewer who skillfully manages the brewing process, balancing ingredients (malt, hops, yeast, and water) according to a unique recipe—often a closely guarded secret.
The Beer Aromas Collection is designed for sommeliers, tasting professionals, chefs, and flavor enthusiasts; for those who want to sharpen their sensory skills; for training programs, tasting workshops, and experiential events.
The set includes:
-
A comprehensive guide covering: the history of beer, raw materials and production, beer styles, tasting steps (sight, nose, palate), flavor and mouthfeel qualities, aromatic profiles, and off-flavors.
-
12 curated aromas (for smelling), developed to train your nose and enhance your ability to recognize, describe, and remember the key aromas found in beer.
-
A sleek, easy-to-use storage box for preserving and presenting the kit.
Training your sense of smell builds your olfactory memory—the ability to identify a scent because you've encountered and named it before. Without this practice, even the simplest aromas can be hard to pinpoint.
Each aroma has been carefully selected to represent typical notes you’re likely to encounter in a wide range of beers. The 12 included in the kit are:
-
Orange – A fresh citrus note, common in IPAs and Belgian-style beers.
-
Peach – Sweet and fruity, found in modern brews with aromatic hops.
-
Banana – A classic Weizen aroma, naturally produced by yeast.
-
Blackcurrant – Fruity and tangy, often present in wild or sour beers.
-
Clove – Spicy and warm, typical of German wheat beers.
-
Hay – Dry and herbal, from rustic farmhouse-style beers.
-
Pine Resin – Balsamic and sharp, defining many West Coast IPAs.
-
Smoky – Bold and intense, derived from smoked malts.
-
Honey – Naturally sweet, found in Belgian or high-fermentation beers.
-
Biscuit – Toasty and malty, reminiscent of baked goods or crusty bread.
-
Coffee – Roasted and bitter, essential in Stouts and Porters.
-
Bread Crust – A fragrant base note, typical in quality craft lagers.
Our AROMA SETS are designed to awaken and train your sense of smell—quickly and effectively.
These kits are used not just by beer and wine lovers, but also by professional producers of beverages and gourmet specialties, helping them communicate to customers what flavors and aromas to expect.
Through regular tasting practice, not only does your nose become sharper, but so does your vocabulary: our sets give you the tools to describe what you’re experiencing, recall it later, and share it clearly with clients, chefs, or fellow tasters.
Because it’s not just about recognizing aromas—it’s about learning how to tell their story. So the next time you raise a glass of beer or wine, you’ll never be at a loss for words.