An Idiot Proof Way To Order A Tasting Paddle

Also known as ‘tasting flights’, tasting paddles are a great part of the brewery experience as well as being a great way to identify your tastes and grow your beer knowledge which is why I find it weird to no end that some of ‘those craft beer drinkers’ are so against them. “Just asks for a taste at the bar before you order a schooner!” Yes, I think some beers, such as wiezens and witbiers, are best enjoyed over a long glass that gives you a chance to fully appreciate it over time but paddles allow you to sample an array of beer in your own pace from the comfort of your table of mates.

I think this fringe hate of paddles comes from this idea that people order paddles to decide what to drink later. On the contrary, this is not how I order paddles, rather I order them as my drink. Instead of one big beer, I’m ordering four little ones and giving them x4 the attention.

Most of all, paddles are really fun and I think ‘those craftos’ just hate fun.

Seriously, look how much fun I’m having at Five Barrel Brewing (Benny Sent Ya S01 E01)

Although it’s meant to make tasting beer fun and easy, a lot of people are put off by ordering paddles due to one simple factor; choice. Some venues these days have upwards of 20 taps, some boasting as many as 50. While some venues offer set paddles, many of them leave the beer picking up to you.

So how exactly is someone who is just developing an interest in beer meant to decide exactly which beers to get? By following these idiot/fool/arsehole proof ways of ordering a paddle silly!

Be Not Afraid

Before ordering your paddle, accept the fact that you’re going to drink something you don’t like. Now, I have this whole theory about how luck works but basically it makes it WIN/WIN if you think about it this way. You didn’t get anything you hated; hell yeah! You get something you hated; yay, I was right! Tasting beers we don’t like is the price we pay for finding beers we do like. Ordering a paddle is a great way to give a nod to a beer style you’re not sure about (looking at you white stouts) so don’t be afraid to give second, third, fourth and fifth chances.

Including one beer you’re pretty sure you won’t like is a brilliant way to order a great tasting paddle.

Benedict ‘not one of those beer drinkers’ Kennedy-Cox at Jervis Bay Brewing (Benny Sent Ya S01 E02)

Go For Variety

When I order a tasting paddle I want to make it look like I am carrying a countries flag from the bar to my table. Not only do I want a variety in colour in my paddle but I want to beers to be as different as possible. Variety is a great way to learn not only about the beer you like but the brewery itself.

Sure, you can load up a tasting paddle all of one style. If you know you like IPAs and the brewery has four then definitely go for an all IPA paddle. Not that I’ve thought much about it but that is very much ‘phase 2’ craft beer drinking, the sort of paddle you might order after you’ve had a few wildly different ones and learnt what you’ve liked. Plus variety is fun and tasting paddles should always be fun (write that down).

Copy This Formula

Most tasting paddles feature slots for four beers and when picking one for myself I always use this formula; bright, light, strong, dark.

For bright I want a beer that’s an unusual colour which means fruit infused sours and goses are a great way to go. For light I want a lager or ale that’s around four to five percent ABV, a classic sort of beer that every brewery does. Strong is where I will try any type of IPA (such as NEIPA, WCIPA & IIPA) where the alcohol percentage is six or higher before finishing with a dark which is usually a stout or porter.

The formula in action at Humpback Brewing (Benny Sent Ya S01 E05)

Not only does this formula tick the variety box but it makes it super simple to order and drink. Definitely you should drink beers in this order, working your way up to the stronger flavours like you would in any tasting. That way, the brewery staff don’t have to beersplain the order to you either.

In case I haven’t said this enough, the most important part of a tasting paddle is having fun, so if any of this sounds like a bad time for you, just order a pint instead or better yet, just ask the staff for a taster. Just know you’re missing out!