What is this going to build beers intelligently?
Imagine that the creation of a beer is not only an artistic issue, but that it can resemble a puzzle with pieces that you already know. The ‘Building Block’ strategy or constructive blocks, popularized by beer experts, proposes that instead of starting from scratch every time, we take advantage of combinations of ingredients that have already proven to be a winning formula. It is like using the mold of a giant Lego piece and adding details to create something totally personal and unique.
Why does this method work better for veterans?
To understand the magic of this technique, you need to have a good previous knowledge about the ingredients. It is not enough to throw ingredients at random, but you have to know what each one contributes, how they interact and what results we can expect. Experience is the best teacher of this strategy, since it allows to recognize which elegant combinations produce a balanced and tasty beer. As in the kitchen, the more you know your ingredients, the easier it is to experience without fear of failing. The key is to expand your arsenal of knowledge, either through ingredient tests, tastings or sensory analysis.
Build from pieces: a practical example
Suppose you want to make a goalkeeper with a deep and robust character. Instead of inventing in a vacuum, you use a known combination of dark malts: Crystal-60L, Special B and Malt chocolate, in equal parts. Just adjusting the amount of patented Black Patent malt you can transform that base into a powerful Stout or lower a little for a substantial alloy Brown. It is like having a set of basic ingredients and knowing exactly what to add to obtain different results with only small changes.
Expanding your ingredient and recipes deck
To become an expert creator, you need to familiarize yourself thoroughly with your ingredients. This can be achieved through methods such as making beers with only one grain and a single variety of hops (the classic Smash), which helps to understand what each base brings to beer. In addition, tasting different varieties of hops in a conscious and comparative way will give you a more refined perception of its aromatic and flavor profiles. The sensory evaluation of malts, although it requires dedication, can be an enriching project in beer clubs or among producing friends. And of course, the golden rule: prepare, judge and improve again and again, until the perfect recipe is achieved.
What advantages does this way of creating bring? The formula of having your own block deck
This approach is especially useful for brewers who already have a repertoire of recipes and wish to do something different without losing the essence of ingredients they know and love. The flexibility it offers allows to explore variations and create original beers, based on deep knowledge and accumulated experience. It is like setting up a set of pieces that fit perfectly and then adjust them to find new combinations that surprise for their balance and character.
In the end, the key is to convert each recipe into a starting point, into a piece of your personal collection, which you can modify and perfect according to trends or your inspiration of the moment. It is a process of constant learning and implementation of the art of controlled experimentation, which transforms the task of making beer into a creative game full of possibilities.
